A Visit to John Muir National Historic Site

Since I live within 16 miles of John Muir's home in Martinez, California, I decided to pay it a visit on his birthday. I could have driven, but in the spirit of preserving the Earth, I rode a bike. It wasn't an easy ride. It was a beautiful sunny day, though windy, but the best bike available to me is heavy with no low end gears. That's it in the picture. Easy on the eyes, not on the hills. Not the kind of bike that you want to ride up steep hills that lie between my home in Vallejo and Martinez. There was some walking of the bike up some hills. On my way, I imagined that I would be welcomed to an ongoing party in John Muir's honor. I imagined lectures about John Muir's achievements, tours of his home and orchards, inspirational talks about the importance of protecting our public lands from exploitation and destruction. Maybe there would be cake?

When I arrived at John Muir National Historic Site I took the picture below:

Very nice scene, isn't it? The California Poppies are in bloom on the landscaping planted with natives. It is a beautiful sunny day with just a few clouds in the sky. The air is cool and the breeze is perfect for a hike in John Muir's own backyard. But wait.

Do you see that little sign on the left of the path? Let me zoom in on it for you.


Yes, that's right. The park was closed on John Muir's birthday. :)

There is irony in the fact that Highway 4, named the John Muir Parkway, now speeds past within feet of his home (see it on the map). The good news is that John Muir's legacy lives in the National Park system.

Soon, I will show you a backpacking trip to Kings Canyon, and you will be inspired to get yourselves out there to a National Park, but before you do... Be sure to check the hours.