The busyness of society often prevents individual character from crystallizing.

"Many come to the mountains for the very purpose of escaping from bondage . . .

"There are ropes enough in civilization. It seems one of the gravest faults of civilized life that uniformity prevents separate development. Everyone is beaten into a kind of paste and constantly stirred, thus rendering perfect crystallization of individual character difficult or next to impossible."

The Contemplative John Muir

Photos: Rime on the trees, Larimer County, CO, January 9 and 12, 2015