“The sun shines not on us but in us.” – John Muir

I shot this photo on my first trip to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. We camped near Dos Cabeza — a great home base for hiking, bouldering or just enjoying the sunrise.

I have always loved the mountains and the beach, but I was never really attracted to the desert. Spending time there has changed that. The peace, quiet and solitude is a given. What really surprised me was the variety of terrain, animal and plant life. We explored slot canyons and mud caves. We did some bouldering and hiking.

And we enjoyed early morning views like this.

A Note about Muir Monday

I started sharing the wisdom of John Muir on back in June, posting new quotes on Instagram and Facebook with a photo I’ve taken that supports the message. Muir had a way with words, and the Muir Monday meme has proven popular. Beginning today, I’m trying out a new approach, sharing these inspirational words here on SoCal Hiker. Each Monday you’ll find a new quote to inspire you. Please spread the word, and share with your friends on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Google+ or whatever networks you prefer.