I have had to good fortune to have a close relationship with Yosemite throughout my life beginning from the time I was a baby and my mother who had a great love of Nature took my brother and me camping there. As a teenager I began backpacking in the high country of Yosemite and then out of college I lived for two years in the Valley where I worked teaching natural science for Yosemite Institute. During my early years in Yosemite I was especially inspired by John Muir, (1838 to 1914), the Scottish born American naturalist, author and early advocate of wilderness preservation, who helped establish Yosemite National Park. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in the Sierra Nevada have touched millions. Here are some of my favorite quotes of his that really convey the sense of aliveness and inspiration that such beauty and connecting to Nature can bring.

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.

In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

The power of imagination makes us infinite.

There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

And here’s a poem of mine inspired by both Yosemite and John Muir about birds that dwell along the mountain streams.

Water Ouzels

Lilting voices flood
fast mountain streams.
Fly on furious wings

behind rushing cascades,
below the rippled surface
bobbing for bugs.

John Muir called them
hummingbirds of waterfalls,
they edge his sacred streams,

skimming bubbling waves
of tumbling water,
little gray dancers

haunt river rocks on bending
knees, genuflecting to a God
everywhere and nowhere.

- Suzanne Murray

After being dropped off at the Yosemite Lodge we walked to the base of Yosemite Falls where we sat in silence taking in the magnificence of the rushing water and then proceeded along a quiet path to the museum devoted to the native people of the area. A man of Miwok descent was on duty and happily answered our questions.

We then wrote and ate lunch sitting in the sun on granite boulders beside the tumbling waters of the Merced River below Vernal Falls.

We walked up to the Mirror Lake area where we were directly under Half Dome where we were greeted by the thundering sound of snow cascading off the face as the sun loosened it’s grip.

We then made our way to the historic Ahwahnee Hotel before returning to Yosemite Falls to catch the bus back to the Yosemite Bug Resort. That evening we enjoyed another fine meal in the cafe and everyone worked on their writing afterward. Sunday morning was devoted to writing and sharing as a group.

I also provided special instruction on to use an acorn cap for a whistle. Two members of our group practiced as we waited for the bus.

We really had a great time and I’m looking forward to bringing more groups to this place of great beauty and spirit during the quieter times of fall, winter and spring.