|
|
John Muirs Trail In History
| Term Paper Title |
John Muirs Trail In History |
| # of Words |
1485 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) |
5.94 |
John Muir's Trail in History
John Muir's Trail in History
John Muir was a man of great importance in the history of the United
States and in the preservation of it's beauty. His tireless efforts to protect
natural wonders such as Yosemite Valley demonstrated his undying love for the
outdoors. Muir took a stand against the destructive side of civilization in a
dauntless battle to save America's forest lands. The trail of preservation that
Muir left behind has given countless numbers of people the opportunity to
experience nature's magnificence.
John Muir was born on April 21, 1838 in the small rural town of Dunbar,
Scotland. As a boy, Muir was “fond of everything that was wild”(My Boyhood and
Youth 30) and took great pleasure in the outdoors. In 1849, Muir and his family
emigrated to Wisconsin to homestead. The great forests of Northern United
States captivated him and fueled his desire to learn more. Muir later enrolled
in courses in chemistry, geology, and botany at the University of Wisconsin.
After his education, Muir began working in a factory inventing small machines
and contraptions. However, a serious working accident in the factory left Muir
temporarily blind. When he finally regained his vision, he vowed to live life
to the fullest and devote everything he had to nature.
At the age of 29, Muir made a thousand-mile walk from Indianapolis to
Florida for the sheer pleasure of being outdoors. This experience enlightened
Muir and compelled him to extend his travels. With his family's blessings (his
wife and two daughters), he began to wander America's forests, mountains,
valleys, and meadows extensively. Alone and on foot, he filled his notebooks
with sketches and descriptions of the plants, animals, and trees that he loved.
He later took trips around the world, including destinations such as Europe and
South America. There he explored the Amazon basin and noted many new plant
species. In Alaska, he became the first white man to see Glacier Bay. He
definitely made an impact in Alaska's history: Mount Muir, Muir Glacier, Muir
Point, and Muir Inlet all carry his name.
However, it was California's Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley that
truly claimed him. In 1868, he walked across the San Joaquin Valley through
waist-high wildflowers and into the high country for the first time. Later he
would write: "Then it seemed to me the Sierra should be called not the Nevada,
or Snowy Range, but the Range of Light...the most divinely beautiful
Read the rest of the term paper
|
