Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter.
- Letter to his wife "Louie" (Louisa Wanda Strentzel), (July 1888); Life and Letters of John Muir (1924)
This quote demonstrates Muir's attitude toward nature because it ties the solitude of nature with Muir's idea that nature should be untouched and completely preserved. This quote is tied to transcendentalism because Muir believes (through this quote) that going into nature without any belongings or company will produce an exceptional experience with the wilderness. Also, as it relates to the differences between Muir and Pinchot in the conservation/preservation battle, Muir further emphasizes that you can enjoy nature without a great deal of "extras". I mentioned that this is related to my major (tourism) because most people that choose to participate in nature-based or 'ecotourism' usually need to be outfitted with equipment and travel with companions, which is not in line with Muir's quote above.
I just returned to the Valley after a weekend camping retreat with my fraternity in Northern Arizona near Woods Canyon Lake. I am generally a light packer, and only brought a backpack and a pillow; some brought large suitcases, plenty of technological 'necessities', and interesting wilderness gadgets. Although the true purpose of the retreat was to bond with each other, I took advantage of such a great opportunity to get out into the wilderness (by the way, it was outstandingly cold). Although I was not alone, and was not completely without baggage, I feel that I was able to have a better connection with the wilderness because of my minimalism. Last night, one of our guys went out, away from the campsite with nothing to "commune with nature" (as he put it), and I feel that this was inline with Muir's game plan for getting "into the heart of the wilderness".
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