When students shared their experiences at Grand Canyon, parents were often surprised to hear that the day after reaching Phantom Ranch, their sons/daughters were given a “free day” to explore the Inner Canyon. Even though most had aching legs (and some had blisters) most eagerly hiked the 12-mile roundtrip from Phantom Ranch to Ribbon Falls. … [Read more…]
One year, the daughter of St. Helena superintendent of schools enrolled in the Biodesign Class. Her dad was an avid hiker and she asked The Class if she could invite him along as a chaperone on the Yosemite trip. Relationships between students and school authorities are not always copacetic so I was curious as to … [Read more…]
Happy 181st Birthday John Muir: April 21, 1838 After whimsically describing John Muir as, “St. John of the Mountains,†I have come to suspect the designation may have been more Jungian and less whimsy. If so, his elevation to sainthood may not be an unrealistic overreach. In many ways he lived like an ascetic monk, … [Read more…]
There are religious scholars who believe that John Muir was sent as God’s messenger to interpret and describe the wonders and miracles of the wilderness. Conversely, there are secular scientists who assert that his life is a testament of the unlimited creativity of random genetic combinations without involvement with a Supreme Being. However, what they … [Read more…]