Jason's Travels

The Yosemite

April 21, 2011

When I bought My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir at the Muir Woods National Monument, I also purchased a second book of his: The Yosemite. It seemed smart to pick up a copy, since I was on m

y way to Yosemite National Park. Reading what Muir thought of the valley was definitely important to me, since I was trying to learn more about the man, but what I found in the pages was nothing close to what I expected.

The Yosemite by John Muir isn't so much a story of his time spent in the Yosemite Valley like My First Summer in the Sierra was during his time in the mountains. Instead, it is more of an early guidebook for the national park. In his book, Muir details every tree, flower and bird in the park, just like a naturalist would be expected to do, but he also offers various suggestions for hikes and extended trips out of the valley, just like a modern guidebook would do.

I found The Yosemite incredibly interesting to read after my short stay in the park. I loved matching up my memories to what John Muir described in writing. And, as I read the book, I found myself occasionally closing my eyes in an attempt to recollect my surroundings just as vividly as he describes them for his readers.

On the other hand, I wish I would have read The Yosemite before traveling to the park, at least in part. I think I would have found the bulk of the book dry and boring had I done this, but I also would have received some perspective from John Muir before crossing the park's boundaries. But, since I waited until I returned from my trip, I am now stuck, and I mean that sarcastically, in the position of having to plan another, longer, trip to the park to see more of what Muir describes.

I think it best to actually read The Yosemite by John Muir while in the national park. So, if you're heading that way, I recommend you pick up a copy of his book, head out for the Sierras, and crack the binding for the first time as you're relaxing at night with a beer after a good day's hike. Just make sure, though, that unlike I did, you have another couple of days to enjoy the beautiful landscape so you can more fully appreciate that which Muir details.

Posted by Jason Hussong.

My First Summer in the Sierra

April 11, 2011

I wanted to learn more about John Muir, so while I was at the Muir Woods National Monument north of San Francisco, I picked up a copy of My First Summer in the Sierra. It seemed reasonable to think that I would learn the most about Muir from his own words, particularly tho

se he wrote in the mountains to which I would soon be driving. So, shortly after purchasing my new book, I kicked back in my hotel after a day spent exploring the streets of San Francisco, cracked the binding and began devou...

Posted by Jason Hussong.

The Drive North Arrives

April 7, 2011

I carefully opened the tops of the boxes with a small knife before tearing into the packaging like a kid on Christmas morning. My first book, The Drive North ~ A Swing Down Memory Lane, was in

there and I wanted to get at it. Well, to be honest, twenty copies of my first book were in two boxes and I wanted to get at them. I wanted to hold my first book, flip through the pages, and examine what I still am not quite sure is a reality.

Yes, pinch me, I still feel as though I'm dreaming. It do...

Posted by Jason Hussong.

Photos of The Drive North

April 1, 2011

I so easily get lost in the pages of books. I love the texture and smell of the pages. I love cracking the binding and making it mine. But sometimes a good book is missing a few pictures to help set the scene. I tried to include some as chapter covers in The Drive North, making them into a cool sketchy design with the help of a friend, but it wasn't enough in my mind. So, in order to give the reader a better look at my journey, I have included some photos here on my Facebook page.

I t...

Posted by Jason Hussong.

Ranger Confidential

March 12, 2011

Since I toured my first national park years ago, I've thought of becoming a National Park Service ranger. I toyed with the idea even so far as to go online and look at job openings and descriptions. I may have never applied, but I certainly gave it strong

consideration. I mean, what would be so wrong with being outdoors all day, surrounded by beauty and wildlife, and occasionally giving directions to tourists excited to see where you live? Well, before I went any further, I'm glad I read An...

Posted by Jason Hussong.

Synopsis of The Drive North

March 11, 2011

My talented sister-in-law finished the cover design for my book, The Drive North: A Swing Down Memory Lane. It is now with the publisher and the printing process will start once I see the final proof. One of the few things I wasn't able to do on my own, like the cover, was the synposis. I tried to squeeze what I wrote and rewrote in hundreds of pages down to a few paragraphs, but I couldn't do it. So, the publisher did and I wanted to share it with everyone here.

Some of the cover writin...

Posted by Jason Hussong.

Notes From a Small Island

March 8, 2011

I have read too many serious travel books lately - heck, too many serious books in general if you want to throw in the likes of East of Eden and Les Miserables - and needed a break with

something fun. Cue one of the world's best authors in Bill Bryson. Notes From a Small Island had sat on my bookshelf for some time, all the while waiting to be read prior to my trip to England, so I decided to pick it up. After all, I'm hoping to make it across the pond this coming summer to see a friend who...

Posted by Jason Hussong.

The Snow Leopard

March 4, 2011

It's not often I get overly excited about a book and want to tell everyone how much I enjoyed it. Normally that only happens with Bill Bryson books. Sure, I write about a lot of books here, but not all

of them make me want to do cartwheels. I find myself content at the end of most of the books I write about here, no longer bothering to mention those I dislike, and smile as I place them on the shelf next to the others I've finished. But, when I cracked the binding of Peter Matthiessen's The ...

Posted by Jason Hussong.

Shadow of the Bear

February 22, 2011

A while back I was shopping at a budget book fair. I wandered through the stacks, all laid out on giant pallets as though the books would immediately be shipped off to another sale if they didn't find a home at this one. When I found the travel section I was

sadly disappointed because a lot of the books were destination guidebooks. I still use them on occasion, but I was hoping to find some good reading instead. And then, tucked away on the corner of one of the pallets, I found Brian Payton...