Letter from John Burroughs to John Muir, 1899 Sep 24.

• Main Author: Burroughs, John
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Scholarly Commons 1899
• Subjects: Environmentalist; naturalist; travel; conservation; national parks; John Muir; history; correspondence; letters; Bad Lands; Indian; Ripen; Yankee; glacier; Kodiak; Yakutat; Alaska
• Online Access: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/muir-correspondence/2450; https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/context/muir-correspondence/article/3449/viewcontent/muir10_0995_let.pdf

Slabsides, [West Park, N.Y.],Sept. 24, '99.Dear John Muir,Many thanks for your letter and for Mrs. Colver's enclosed. Yours was the first word I had had from any member of the H.A.E. Shortly after I had one from the Averell girl, and a few days since came one from Dr. Fisher.I found all well at home and that the bottom had not fallen out of things on account of my absence. Indeed, I am beginning to suspect the sun would rise and set just the same and grapes would continue to ripen, if 1 were to vanish for good and all.We never had a finer crop of grapes, and prices were pretty good. We began shipping on the 11th of August, and the bulk of them were off by Sept. 1st -- 30 tons.I have been well except a slight sluggishness of the liver -- the reaction, I suppose, from that stimulating Alaska climate. Everybody remarked my improved looks. The trip certainly did me lots of good.I see there has been an earthquake up there recently. I fear it has given your sheep a terrible shaking up. Your old bell wether is probably in a sad plight. I should like to have stood upon St. Elias, but not upon the Muir glacier, during the event. I fear our Indian friends at Yakutat Bay suffered seriously.My thoughts go back most frequently and most fondly to. Kodiak. That place really touched my heart. I almost wish I lived there. I think I must see it again.We had a lucky trip across the continent -- no heat, no dust, and only one delay -- a day and a half in the Bad lands in Utah, from a washout. Fine weather here since my return -- much sunshine and no frost yet. The Century will print my bird poems - three of them. Fuertes has been asked to make the bird pictures. I shall try my hand at a sketch of the trip next month. I may spend part of the winter in Florida, as the guest of a N.H. Yankee farmer. I wish it were to be in California, with or near you, but that will come, I hope, before very long.Remember me to Mrs. Colver. I think her suggestion about the dog story a good one.Sincerely your friend,John Burroughs.02625