Ventana Canyon — Image by kenne
Looking back down from the Ventana Canyon trail with much climbing to do until reaching Maiden Pools.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
— John Muir
Archive for the ‘John Muir’ Tag
Ventana Canyon — A Hike In The Canyon 1 comment
Hiking With Friends Leave a comment
Hiking with Friends — Computer Art by kenne
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people
are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home;
that wildness is a necessity.”
— John Muir
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Extracting The Sweetness 1 comment
“Extracting The Sweetness” — Grunge Art by kenne
“Handle a book as a bee does a flower, extract its sweetness but do not damage it.”
— John Muir
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Hiking Romero Pools Trail, January 23, 2015 Leave a comment
Hiking the Douglas Springs, Carillo, Garwood Loop 2 comments
(CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES TO SEE LARGER VIEW IN A SLIDESHOW FORMAT.)
Hiking the Douglas Spring, Carillo, Garwood Loop In The Saguaro National Park (December 19, 2014)
— Images by kenne
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity”
― John Muir, Our National Parks
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Going To The Mountains Is Going Home 1 comment
Views Along The Wilderness Rock Trail — Images by kenne
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken,
over-civilized people
are beginning to find out
going to the mountains
is going home;
that wilderness is a necessity…”
― John Muir
Related articles
- Hiking the John Muir Trail: Going Out to Go In (adventureblog.nationalgeographic.com)
- John Muir: The Mountains Are Calling (misbehavedwoman.wordpress.com)
- The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go (cocobator.wordpress.com)
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If Nature Is One Of Your Passions, Consider Becoming A Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist Leave a comment
Naturalist David Lazaroff and several other naturalists with the 2011 SCVN Training Class, Day 1 — Image by kenne
I was a member of the 2011 Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) class. During the fall training I wrote the following poem, posting it on this blog:
STANDING AT THE ALTAR OF NATURE
When we stand
at the altar of nature,
we stand with the greats;
Ralph Waldo Emerson,
Henry David Thoreau,
and John Muir,
each having helped define
our relationship
with nature and language –
“every natural fact is a symbol
of some spiritual fact,
. . . words are signs of natural facts.”
Nature’s beauty becomes
a source of spiritual energy
connecting all things
into a universal whole
with the energy of our
thoughts and will.
We stand at nature’s alter as man
not separate from her,
seeing her in the flowers,
insects, animals, mountains,
creating a unified landscape
of our inward and outward senses.
Like all relationships,
the experience depends
on the degree of harmony
between us and nature,
therefore becoming a gift
granted while walking with nature
as she is embraced in our minds –
Enlighten, she shares her secrets,
making the universe more “transparent.”
Yet the gift may only offer a glimpse,
to be shared in images and words,
charming all living things.
Commenting on my poem, SCVN member, Walt Tornow, wrote that my poem ”. . . captures beautifully my feelings about being in the mountains.” He went on to share the following:
GOD, GRACE, AND GRATITUDE
Finding God in the wilderness …
- The majesty of our mountains, the magnificence of views/ vistas they afford, and the splendor and munificence of the many gifts that nature has to offer
- The awe and humility that comes from being witness to the grandeur of it all, juxtaposed with realizing the relative smallness and fleetingness of our existence
- Never feeling or being alone … lots of company by nature’s creatures, and taking in the beauty of nature’s show
- Feeling vulnerable, yet trusting, being in the wilderness — potential prey to wildlife, and exposed to the elements
- Experiencing awe, joy and inspiration by being here
- Feeling connected … becoming one with myself, with nature, and the universe
- Finding peace, serenity, and sense of holiness … my place of worship and meditation
Here for the grace of God am I …
Grateful to be, to be here, and be given the opportunity and capacity to enjoy the many gifts/ blessings around me.
– Walt Tornow
If you feel our passion for nature, we want to share it with you by inviting you to become a Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist.
We are currently recruiting people who share our passion for nature
to take part in our 2013 SCVN Training Class from the beginning of September to December.
After completing the training you will start next January teaching kindergarten and/or elementary students approximately 1 morning per week. All training curriculum materials provide for an excellent learning experience, along with many guest nature experts.
Additionally, you can take part in adult Public Interpretations nature programs about Sabino Canyon.
You can learn more about this wonderful volunteer nature program and get an application by visiting our website
www.sabinonaturalists.org/
You can also learn more about the SCVN program and Sabino Canyon by searching SCVN on this blog. Since August 2011 I have posted 125 entries with the tag SCVN.
Please pass on this information on to persons you will might be interested in becoming an SCVN member. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have — kenneturner@gmail.com
kenne
Naturalist, Gwen Swanson, demonstrates “panning” to students in the “Strike It Rich” program. — Image by kenne
This creekside activity allows children to learn about the difference between rocks and minerals by panning for garnets in the sand along Sabino Creek,
and the importance of water in forming the canyon.
SCVN Training nature walk with naturalist, Bill Kaufman (Fall 2011) — Image by kenne
Related articles
- “Am I Buggin You?” No, Not The “Bug Man” (kenneturner.com)
- Taking a Wide Angle Look After a Morning Rain In Sabino Canyon (kenneturner.com)
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Wildflowers On The King Canyon Trail To Wasson Peak 8 comments
Kings Canyon Trail — Images by kenne
Wildflower Slideshow by kenne
Panorama of Wasson Peak Near The Top
SCVN guided hike to Wasson Peak via Kings Canyon trail, which is about a seven mile (roundtrip) hike and elevation gain of 1,900 ft.
Some of our hikers made only the Kings Canyon trail to the first saddle since we were experiencing unusually warm record-setting temperatures (the mid-90’s).
kenne
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people
are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home;
that wilderness is a necessity…”
― John Muir
Related articles
- Suddenly It’s Spring (kenneturner.com)
- Capturing The Moment – Tufted Evening Primrose (kenneturner.com)
- Southern Arizona Wildflower Reports 3/15/13 (naturalhistorywanderings.com)
- Desert Flower (kenneturner.com)
- Hiking Sweetwater Trail To Wasson Peak (kenneturner.com)
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Under The Shade Of The Old Oak Tree 13 comments
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.” ~Chinese Proverb
“Trees are much like human beings and enjoy each other’s company. Only a few love to be alone.” ~Jens Jensen, Siftings, 1939
The large oak is located near the Miller Creek trail out of Happy Valley on the east side of the Rincon Mountains. — Images by kenne
I never saw a discontented tree.
They grip the ground as though they liked it,
and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do.
They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind,
going and coming like ourselves,
traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day,
and through space heaven knows how fast and far!
~John Muir
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Fall Water Colors In Sabino Canyon 1 comment
Fall Water Colors – Reflections I — Image by kenne
Fall Water Colors – Reflections II — Image by kenne
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 off like autumn leaves.
John Muir
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Standing At The Altar Of Nature 9 comments
Image by kenne
Standing At The Altar Of Nature
When we stand at the
altar of nature,
we stand with the greats;
Ralph Waldo Emerson,
Henry David Thoreau,
and John Muir,
each having helped define
our relationship
with nature and language —
“Every natural fact is a symbol
of some spiritual fact,
. . . words are signs of natural facts.”
Nature’s beauty becomes
a source of spiritual energy
connecting all things
into a universal whole
with the power of our
thoughts and will.
We stand at nature’s altar
not separate from her,
seeing us in the flowers,
insects, animals, mountains,
creating a unified landscape
of our inward and outward senses.
Like all relationships,
the experience depends
on the degree of harmony
between us and nature,
therefore becoming a gift
granted while walking with nature
as she is embraced in our minds –
Enlighten, she shares her secrets,
making the universe more “transparent.”
Yet, the gift may only offer a glimpse,
to be shared in images and words,
charming all living things.
— kenne
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. — John Muir
Related articles
- The Earth’s Poetry (artistoftheeveryday.wordpress.com)
- coming alive (thoughtfulpauses.wordpress.com)
- Faith and Evidence (kellyjmccleary.wordpress.com)
- Project 365 Aug. 20-26 (scribblingsofasoccermom.com)
- Environmentalism – Wiki (96.127.149.74)
- How Quiet Places Could Save the World (space2live.net)
The trail begins merciful,
level and wide for
our first steps.
The sun greeting us
rising above the mountains
warming the morning air.
Our path is straight
into the canyon
through winter’s brown.
Soon the trail narrows
turning left, then right
with carved rock stairs.
The pace slows as
fellow hikers snake-line
up the steep slopes.
As we near the first ridge,
the sky seems smaller,
staying alert with each step.
Hiking the lower canyon walls,
soon we reach the first saddle,
we break for the vistas.
Seeing no bighorn sheep,
only white rocks mistook
for their white rumps.
Climbing up and
around the next ridge,
water flowing from its top.
A steep drop in the trail
beckons thoughts of yet
another ridge to climb.
Reaching a thousand feet
above the trailhead before
hiking down to the pools.
Winter rains have provided
plenty of water for breathtaking
views of the pools and falls.
Spring break will bring
students’ cliff jumping into
the deeper Romero Pools.
I share a silent moment
above the pools with
only my shadow companion.
— kenne
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL PHOTOS OF HIKING ROMERO POOLS TRAIL, JANUARY 2015.
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