Christmas Gift Outing #3: California Naturalist!

We've had this on our list to visit for a long time.

It's in the city of Martinez.

"John Muir was an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, glaciologist and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States."

The mansion was built in 1883 by Dr. John Strentzel, Muir's father-in-law, with whom Muir went into partnership, managing his 2,600-acre fruit ranch. Muir and his wife, Louisa, moved into the house in 1890, and he lived there until his death in 1914.

After watching a 20 minute film about his life, we were able to tour the home and the grounds.

This is his study with the his original desk where he did much of his writing.

The grounds were very pleasant!

John Muir studied botany and geology in college.  He eventually ended up in San Francisco and he walked to the Sierra Nevadas, spending a lot of time in Yosemite.  He felt a connection to nature and became nationally famous through the articles he wrote.   He settled in Martinez where he helped his father-in-law  develop a profitable orchard business.  Later he traveled to wilderness areas and was one of the earliest advocates of the national park idea, and its most eloquent spokesman.  His writings brought attention to and helped establish these as national parks: Glacier Bay, Mount Rainier, Sequoia, Petrified Forest, and the Grand Canyon.  A camping trip with Teddy Roosevelt was extremely successful when he was able to convince the President to make Yosemite a national park.

I love our National Parks and we got this puzzle on our trip and have enjoyed putting it together:

Also on the property is the Martinez Adobe. Don Vincente Martinez, son of the commandante of the Presidio of San Francisco, built this house of adobe bricks around 1849. 

The inside commemorates the 1,800 mile journey lead by Juan Bautista de Anza from Mexico to the San Francisco Bay Area 1775 to 1776. 

He lead 240 settles and soldiers to explore and colonize the area.

Learning about John Steinbeck, John Muir, and Juan Bautista de Anza, gave us a theme for a very educational, interesting and fun day!