Lens-Artists Challenge #283:
Illustrate a Favorite Quote or Poem
— This week, Ann-Christine poses a fascinating challenge. She asks us “to illustrate a favourite quote or poem.” The key is to give viewers an actual ”feel” of the poem or quote through the photo(s) one chooses. For this post, I chose three quotes by John Muir, the famous Scottish environmentalist known as “John of the Mountains” and “Father of the National Parks” in the United States. He and his family emigrated to the USA when he was only ten.
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
The Garden Wall is one of the most popular trails in Glacier NP. The trailhead is conveniently located near Logan Pass, a very busy point in the park. The first time we experienced the thrills of this trail was during our first visit to the park in 2009. We could not fully explore the trail, but we did hike the first section you see in the photo above.
Although the trail is safe, you constantly see that road way down there on the left-hand side of the top photo. That is the Going-to-the-Sun road, some 100 ft (30 m) down. If you are the only person on the trail and no one is coming back, the trail is perfectly safe. Of course, the trail width varies from 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m). That width is a little uncomfortable when you have to pass someone else. You can only hold on to the green cable you see along the wall, but there are no guardrails.
Going to the mountains is going home.
John Muir
It is a good (and safe) idea to stop fully and appreciate the scenery from time to time, as you can see in the photo above. When we hiked this trail in 2014, it was late July. The trail had just opened for hikers. In fact, in a few sections we crossed, there were still workers cleaning up the accumulated snow. In the last photo below, you can see the cut in the rock where the trail is. Again, you see the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the lower right corner.
Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
John Muir
I hope you enjoyed last week’s challenge. I certainly had fun looking at everyone’s dramatic photos. Thanks to Patti for leading the challenge (Dramatic). Join us next week when Sofia will introduce a new challenge. Please leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post, and make sure you use the hashtag “lens-artists” in your post. We look forward to your joining our challenges. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
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JohnRH
Great quotes, STUNNING photos. Glacier NP is on my ‘near-term’ bucket list. Your last quote, The Mountains Are Calling, hangs in our living room.
Egídio Leitão
Go for it, John. It’s one of the most beautiful parks in this country. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you for the compliment.
Tina Schell
You chose one of my favorite authors along with one of my favorite places for your response this week Egidio, so big thanks for that! We’ve explored the park from end to end with our very good friends from Kiawah who summer in Montana. Some incredible experiences there, especially on the GTTS Road. The park is a magical place one could visit a hundred times without repeating a thing! Superb response, I loved it.
Egídio Leitão
Tina, we must have been siblings in another life. Glacier NP is one of our favorite parks, too. Thank you so much for your enthusiastic comments.
Marie
Memories. My family drove from the flatlands of northwest Minnesota to Glacier the first time when I was about 10. A straight shot on Hwy. 2 across North Dakota. First time I saw a mountain. I remember the awe as the outline of the peaks grew closer and closer as we drove. Going to the Sun Road scared the &#%( out of me. I love mountains but they still make me nervous. Memories.
Egídio Leitão
Marie, what an experience you described here. Thank you for your comments.
Sofia Alves
Beautiful, beautiful photos, Egídio. As soon as I saw your title I knew where you were going, everyone in Scotland knows that one, even me. (Just a small note, John Muir was from Dunbar, near Edinburgh…) But, it’s the love of the great outdoors and yes, they do call us all the time. What an amazing post!
Egídio Leitão
First off, thanks for pointing out my error. It’s been corrected. Thank you also for your feedback on the post. I much appreciated your comment.
restlessjo
Stunning photos, and Muir’s quotes are always great. Beautiful stuff, Egidio.
Egídio Leitão
Jo, I’m so thankful for your comment. I appreciate that.
philosophy through photography
I love these majestic clicks, and John Muir’s quotes are so apt!
I love this narrow passage of the Highline Trail at Glacier NP—scary too!
Thank you for the description; I felt like I was there with you.
Egídio Leitão
Philo, with English being my second language, I’m happy to hear my description of the trail made you feel like you were there. Thank you for your comments.
philosophy through photography
Even though I was far away, your descriptions brought the trail to life.
Your command of the English language is truly remarkable, and I am truly appreciative of your thoughtful response to my remarks.
Making friends from all over the world is an incredible experience. I am grateful that you showed me the splendour of the path.
Like you, I have trouble finding the right words at times because English is not my first language. You have an impeccable rhythm.
Thank you, Egídio Leitão
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Beautiful photos and the what nature does is Wash your spirit clean 🙂
Egídio Leitão
Ritva, thank you for your feedback. I agree that nature washes our spirits clean.
Amy
These are great quotes you choose. Images are spectacular, Egidio!
Egídio Leitão
Amy, I’m glad you liked the quotes and photos. Thank you for your feedback.
Leya
I love those quotes – and what you have done with them. Stunning photography and yes – to wash your spirit clean, mother Nature is the solution. Your post did a fantastic job too – as I will never see any of those majestic sights myself.
Egídio Leitão
Ann-Christine, Nature is the solution. Thank you for commenting on the post and providing me your valuable feedback. I appreciated that.
Wind Kisses
I love that you brought Muir to your photos. I can feel the “wilderness is a necessity” in the photos, and in my life. There is something that changes us when we enter nature. We haven’t been to Glacier yet. I am always amazed they can till be getting rid of snow in July up there. A different life entirely. Stunning scenery from your lens.
Egídio Leitão
Wilderness and wildness — I loved that he used the latter in that quote. Both have such an impact in our lives. Thank you very much to write back with your comments, Donna. I’m glad you liked the photos and post.
Rupali
Magnificent is the word.
Egídio Leitão
Rupali, I’m thankful to your kind words. Much gratitude!
Teresa
I love John Muir…with his words blending so well with your magnificent photography.
Egídio Leitão
Teresa, I appreciate your writing that. Thank you.
Ingrid
Wonderful photos showcasing the beauty of Glacier NP.
Egídio Leitão
Ingrid, I appreciate your feedback. Thank you.
I. J. Khanewala
I’m with you there. Nothing like the mountains.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, I.J.
Perpetua
Got to climb a mountain at least once or twice in our lifetime. John Muir is right. It’s cleansing and a humbling experience. Such grandeur, Egidio.
Egídio Leitão
Perpetua, your feedback is very much appreciated. Thank you.
sandyjwhite
Love your John Muir quotes and how you illustrated them. Well done!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Sandy. I’m glad you liked them.
Educación y más.
Hermoso 💕
Egídio Leitão
Thank you.
Tales From My Lens
John Muir was a perfect fit. We used to live in a house in Northern California where he frequented often. Beautiful photographs and perfect quotes.
Egídio Leitão
I’m very thankful for your note. What a great experience it must have been to live in a house Muir used to live.
SoyBend
Great choices for the challenge, Egidio. Muir is one of my favorite naturalists. I liked the last image, nicely shown in black and white. We’ve been to Glacier, years ago. Always loved the name of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. So appropriate.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Siobhan. I also find the name of that road so poetic.
Inside the Mind of Isadora
I’m in awe of anyone who can walk that trail.
YIKES … a bit scary for me and my vertigo.
Great clicks … Isadora 😎
Egídio Leitão
Isadora, I was nervous at first and didn’t like when I had to maneuver around other people. Luckily, it didn’t happen but once or twice. Thanks for the comment.
Inside the Mind of Isadora
Well … if medals were being given, you’d get one. 😀
Shelley@QuaintRevival.com
Your photos are breathtaking, literally for me…I’m afraid of heights and I held my breath as I scrolled through your post. I love how majestic the mountains look. I tip my hat to you and yours for taking the adventures you shared here! 👏🏻🥰
Egídio Leitão
Shelley, many thanks for your compliment. Yes, mountains are breathtaking in Glacier NP.
Shelley@QuaintRevival.com
You’re welcome!