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Martinez, Cal. Nov. 18, 1900 My dear Mrs. Osborn, Nothing could be kinder than your invitation to Wing-Wing, how gladly
we would accept, you know. But grim Duty, like Bnnyan's Apollyon is now straddling across the whole breadth of the way crying
no. Wanda is at school in Berkeley hard at work, expecting next year to enter the State University. She is a faithful steady
scholar, quite, womanly, not in the least odd or brilliant, but strong-willed, earnest unstoppable as an avalanche. I am
at work on the last of a series of park forest articles to be collected and published in book form by the Houghton Mifflin
Co. which I hope to get off my hands soon. But there is endless work in sight ahead-Sierra Alaska things to follow as fast
as my slow,sadly interrupted pen can be spurred to go. Yes, I know it is two years since I enjoyed the dainty chickaree room
you so kindly call mine. Last summer as you know I was in Alaska, This year I was in the Sierra going up by way of Lake Tahoe
down by Yosemite Valley, crossing the range four times along the head waters of the Truckee, Carson, Mokelumne, Stanislaus,
Calaveras, Walk Tuolumne Merced rivers, revisit-ing old haunts, examining forest learning what I could about birds mammals
with Dr. Merriam and his sister Mr. Bailey-keen naturalists with infinite appetite for Voles, Marmots, Squirrels, chipmunks
etc. We had a delightful time of course, in Yosemite I remembered your hoped for visit to the grand Valley wished you were
with us, I'm very sorry I missed Sir Michael Foster. Though prevented now I hope ere long to see Wing Wing in Autumn glory.
In the meantime always I am ever your friend John Muir 02890