But in every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir, July 1877

Only the explorer of steep and narrow trails inaccessible to cattle makes acquaintance with flowers in a grazing country. The large scale of all the physical features of California tends to monotony of vegetable life. The same trees cover miles of country. Only those who climb find variety. – Isabella G. Oakley, “Santa Barbara of Today,” in Sunset, May 1904

Backpacking: An extended form of hiking in which people carry double the amount of gear they need for half the distance they planned to go in twice the time it should take. – Author unknown