Letter from John Muir to [Annie ] Bidwell, [1901 Dec 19].

[First draft of letter, in note-book #59] (27) (27)[Dec., 19 1901]Dear Mrs. Bidwell:It is delightful to see your handwriting once more and to know you are growing strong again. Our Heavenly Father be praised, dear friend, that you have come through so great and manifold trials with strength renewed, fresh in heart, with sympathy as fine and far-reaching as when first I saw you long years ago with your noble husband and Sir Joseph [Hooker], and the blessed Asa Gray. I\u27ve wandered far since then in Florida, Canada, Alaska, through the mountains and forests on both sides of the continent put to none of my excursions do I look back with greater pleasure or dearer remembrances than to our blessed Shasta excursion. I think I told you of my visit to Sir garish at Sunny dale and how fondly we recalled our Shasta camping trip and company, and also to Mrs. Gray in Cambridge where the Shasta days came back again. I must try to write that story, and the lovely sail down the Sacramento on the little sugar pine snag juniper, which was about as exciting at times as my rushing ride on an avalanche. And now you have assembled us all together again in the streets of your pretty town, to keep our memory green-this is delightful. I thank you for your kind invitation to Rancho Uhico, and I must try to manage the trip sometime soon, perhaps with Wanda and Helen. Mrs. M[uir] has not been able to travel far even in the cars for any great distance on account of rheumatism. I took the girls to the mountains above Yosemite last summer - they are capital travelers, and took naturally to mountaineering. I want them to know you, and I\u27m sure you will love them. Wanda is nearly as tall as 1 am,weighs more,and is attending the State University. Helen, the babe, who is 15 years old, has not yet made up her mind as to the Univ. course.She is my companion, and I let them do as they like, they are so good. I\u27m sure I\u27ll like your minister. I like everybody who likes humanity and God\u27s wilderness. Tell him he should join the Sierra Club and spend his vacation in reviving trips in the mountains. And now before I bid you goodbye, g ve me Sally\u27s address, for I want to send her a copy of my new book. I\u27m sure she and her husband will like it, for they liked the other one I wrote. Goodbye. Our Father bless you.Ever your friend,J.M. 0283