I found John Muir at Disney

About a month ago our family took a trip to Disney Land. This isn't the first trip we have taken there, and I'm sure it won't be the last. It is not my happy place but my family enjoys it.

I was standing in line to ride Soaring. This is a ride experience that takes you on a journey around the world to see wonders of the world and interesting places all from a hang-glider point of view. In addition to the nearly 180 degree peripheral view and wonderful soundtrack they also pump in smells for a fully immersive environment. It is a ride I always insist we go on.

As I was waiting in line I saw a quote from John Muir on a building, a quote I've seen many times but for some reason this time it meant more to me. It read "Come to the woods, for here is rest." I have been thinking quite a bit about spending more time in the wild lately and this inspired me to look up this John Muir guy.

I don't know why I never heard of John Muir and it didn't take much of a Google search to peak my interests. By the time I entered the structure for the ride I had figured out I want to read some of his works so I purchases a book of his short stories from Amazon and it would be delivered a day after I got home. Yes, I have a love/hate relationship with how the world works now - story for another time.

I was blown away by his writing. It wasn't complex like similar writings of the time but it was pure and not chained by scholars. He wrote what he saw in such descriptive detail I could imagine walking with him through the Sierra Nevada and Glacier Bay. The excitement and wonder he had for the outdoors and what he witnessed came across in the pages. He was fearless in his pursuit to roam and discover how nature lived and to prove, this are my word he never stated he was proving anything, it wasn't as dangerous as the stories people tell. He was painting a picture of nature he wanted them to see for themselves but not be afraid to see it. This message resonated with me.

Disney is an incredible place where I found many inspirations. Many of the inspirations I took away tell me not to come back to the park but to explore the world and everything it has. It's time to follow their lead and spend more time exploring and less time in line to catch a glimpse.