“One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am – a reluctant enthusiast….a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it’s still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards.”― Edward Abbey
Not so sure about his promise but I can sure relate to the rest of what he says.
8 Comments
Paul
I love it! I certainly didn’t expect the ending, which is what made it all the more fun! Thanks for sharing and what a beautiful shot, Monte!
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Paul! I think he had a bad taste in his mouth with certain people. 🙂
Steve Skinner
A great idea!
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Steve.
David Leland Hyde
Such a good point and very true on average, unfortunately not always in the individual. I like the gradations of grays and blues and overall composition in the photograph too.
Monte Stevens
Thanks, David. You always give positive comments so I always look forward to them. Adn, yes some advocates are very outspoken, almost combative, while some can bring their message across in an affirming way. You have an affirming way.
Tom Dills
One of my favorite Abbey passages. Much of his message and attitude resonates in my head, even after all these years. I yearn to break free of the cubicle world and have more time to enjoy the world. I do pretty well with the time I have but always wish for more.
And a lovely photo to accompany the post – very nice!
Monte Stevens
I hope you can break free of the cubicle and spend more time doing a few things from a different perspective. Hope you had a good weekend!