This is my first “Sunday Reflections” and it is only fitting that my first quote comes from an individual that has inspired my heart and my love of nature. As an avid supporter of the National Park Service it understandable that John Muir would be that champion to all who desire to connect with the natural world. We all need the beauty of nature to heal our hearts and souls and for this reason this is one of my favorite quotes. Unfortunately I’ve never been to Yosemite so his beloved Sierra Nevada’s will have to do.
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. ~~ John Muir
Geophilia Photography 
J.Muir was right and you so kind for sharing this!
Here are a couple of quotes from John Muir that have always moved me.
“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 away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.”
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home.”
These quotes are great…I live in a big city and feel challenged to find natural places. I am feeling “over-civilized” and needing a mountain home.
I’m the type of person who believes you can never have too many books … although I’m starting to have too many books. (They’re taking over!)
One of them is about nature in the city; it’s specific to my town, Seattle, but recommends a number of good parks to go for a walk and lose yourself in an urban forest, beaches to stare out at the tide, and things like that. But it also suggests ways to appreciate smaller bits of nature, like the ongoing fight between some of the local birds. If you ever see a crow being friendly with a gull, you’ll know the end times are here.
And it’s good to pay attention to this stuff and try to hold onto that feeling of the natural world even in a big city. But it isn’t easy. I sneak out to the mountains every chance I get, and it does a much better job of fixing the over-civilized feeling. 🙂
I know there is plenty of nature in Florida, even Orlando. I’ve been researching state parks, national parks and trails. There is even the Florida National Trail, only 1400 miles. Don’t think I’ll tackle that one this year. But it does have its segments. I also found several trails here in Orlando and there are 38 state parks within 100 miles. I’ve only had transportation for a couple of weeks so I’ll be making up for lost time. Oh and there’s a national forest only 70 miles north. But there are no mountains and I miss that. We can’t have everything we want unfortunately. I hope to get back west in a few years.
I had the opportunity to visit Seattle, beautiful city, nice people. I was there four days and it was sunny the whole time if you can believe that. I enjoyed Gas Works Park, nice view of the city from there. I’ll never forget driving back from Lynnwood my first glimpse of Rainier. That was one of the most stunning views I’d ever seen. Actually I don’t remember feeling such awe as when I see a mountain…or waterfall, another of my loves.