John Muir, Yosemite Valley

Today is John Muir’s birthday. Born in Scotland April 21,1838, he was still a boy when his family came to America. He loved the outdoors and his life and writings had a profound influence on some of my favorite photographers, and even more important, on millions of people who love the natural outdoors. He loved Yosemite and his activism helped preserve Yosemite Valley which is now part of Yosemite National Park.

One of my favorite John Muir quotes describes an earthquake that awakened him in Yosemite Valley in the middle of a moonlit night.

Yosemite Valley in the Moonlight. Click to see a larger version.

“In Yosemite Valley, one morning about two o’clock I was aroused by an earthquake; and though I had never before enjoyed a storm of this sort, the strange, wild thrilling motion and rumbling could not be mistaken, and I ran out of my cabin, near the Sentinel Rock, both glad and frightened, shouting, ‘A noble earthquake!’ ”

You can read his whole earthquake story here.