Thank you for joining me on this Monday instead of Sunday, when I traditionally publish the Sunday Stills challenge. I hope no one was too confused. Easter Sunday was a BUSY day with church and family celebrations. I hope your Easter Sunday was memorable and relaxing.
This week’s theme, “Earth Day,” is inspired by the annual recognition of Earth Day, which originated on April 22, 1970.
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity” ― John Muir
Who Was John Muir and Why Was He Important?
Today, April 21, also marks the 189th anniversary of the birthday of visionary and author John Muir. Muir was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States in 1849, settling in Wisconsin.
“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.” – John Muir
“Muir’s first mountain pilgrimages were not out West but in the East. Before he ever stepped foot in California, Muir embarked on a 1,000-mile trek from Louisville, Kentucky, to Cedar Key, Florida, that changed his life. The journey inspired Muir’s transformation into the leader and conscience of the environmental movement.” Source
Muir wrote many articles and books that inspired others to love nature and to draw attention to the need to protect the environment. His innate wanderlust eventually moved him to the San Francisco area, and there he discovered the Sierra Nevada Mountains 260 miles to the East.
Upon discovering Yosemite, he used his political acumen to help protect it from threats by commercial development. Muir was also the founder of the Sierra Club. Yosemite officially became a National Park in 1890.
President Teddy Roosevelt was influenced by Muir and as a result, “set aside 148 million acres of forest reserves, created 50 regions for the protection of wildlife, founded 16 national monuments and established 5 new national parks.” ~ National Park Service: John Muir
Muir’s writings produced hundreds of well-known and memorable quotes on nature as he hiked countless miles through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California and beyond.
“The mountains are calling and I must go.” ― John Muir
Celebrate Earth Day By Visiting an Iconic Natural Wonder
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” ― John Muir
In my 65 years on Planet Earth, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting many of the Western United States. Enjoy my gallery of iconic EARTHY scenes found in nine western states:
And if you’re inclined to enjoy your own backyard as your go-to place, spring is a good time for people to reimagine their backyards, replant gardens, or celebrate Spring holidays.
“The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.” – Chief Seattle
Sharing this week for Lens-Artists: My Go-To Places.
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
The Sunday Stills weekly-themed photo challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post. Please use your own original images, whether new or from your archives.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently from mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link to a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind comments and condolences on the passing of my dear father. I really felt the love, and I shared Wednesday’s post with my family.
Do the rocks cry out if you haven’t visited them in a while? Tell us about the natural wonders in the state/province/country you’ve visited.
I can’t wait to see how you interpret this week’s theme! Creativity is encouraged, so please share your own photographs (old or new), poems, original short stories, and music inspired by the theme. Join me next week as we celebrate National Kids and Pets Day.
To see more of my images and other news, consider following Terri on Social Media by clicking the icons:
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