|
Post by downriver on Sept 28, 2021 1:24:05 GMT -8
Not for the politically correct. Is that the one where he opens the talk with a joke from a bumper sticker that says, "Cowboys make better lovers. Just ask any cow?" Probably not a good way to get friendly with a crowd in Montana. You’re pretty close; it’s here towards the bottom of the essay... www.angelfire.com/mi/smilinks/environment.htmlRegards, DR
|
|
desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
|
Post by desert dweller on Oct 2, 2021 9:22:50 GMT -8
I've been rereading for (probably the third time) The Best of Edward Abbey. I had this quote underlined since the first time I read it. back in 1984. The passage is from Down the River, 1982. It's an excerpt from the essay, Science with a Human Face.
Even a rock is a being, a thing with character and a kind of spirit, an existence worth of our love. To disparage the world we know for the sake of grand abstractions, of an endlessly slumbering and reawakening Brahma, is to be false to the mother who sustains us. The highest treason, the meanest treason, is to disavow and deny this lone but gracious planet on which we voyage through the cold void of space. Only a fool, milking his cow, denies the cow's reality. Be true to the earth, said Nietzsche.
|
|
FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by FamilySherpa on Oct 18, 2021 10:45:14 GMT -8
Not outdoor related, but seeing as the movie (part 1) comes out later this week, I picked this up over the weekend. Sci Fi is typically really difficult to read for me, but this is so much more. Deals with opression, the class system, economics, and exploitation.
|
|
|
Post by downriver on Oct 19, 2021 19:55:26 GMT -8
I've been rereading for (probably the third time) The Best of Edward Abbey. I had this quote underlined since the first time I read it. back in 1984. The passage is from Down the River, 1982. It's an excerpt from the essay, Science with a Human Face. Even a rock is a being, a thing with character and a kind of spirit, an existence worth of our love. To disparage the world we know for the sake of grand abstractions, of an endlessly slumbering and reawakening Brahma, is to be false to the mother who sustains us. The highest treason, the meanest treason, is to disavow and deny this lone but gracious planet on which we voyage through the cold void of space. Only a fool, milking his cow, denies the cow's reality. Be true to the earth, said Nietzsche. I must have at least ten Ed Abbey books. I really enjoy his essays. One thing I noticed in Down River was how he preferred to travel with others on the river. Solo travel did not appear to be his thing. There’s an essay in the book where he is waiting for friends on the river, but they are late. The longer Abbey had to wait for them, the more it appears he dislikes solo travel. Much different than Colin Fletcher who preferred to travel alone and hated to travel with anyone. Fletcher thrived by himself; not so much Abbey it appears. Regards, DR
|
|
crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
|
Post by crawford on Oct 26, 2021 17:00:12 GMT -8
In my limited free time, I'm back to some basic histories on the era of the French and Indian War. I'm reading a French memoir, which offers and interesting perspective "Memoir Upon the Late War in North America Between the French and English, 1755-1760" by M. Pouchot. The style of the age makes it a bit difficult to understand at times, it does lack context, but if the reader has some background it offers an interesting personal look at that war the lead to the eventual formation of the U.S.
|
|
|
Post by Coolkat on Nov 2, 2021 3:41:01 GMT -8
Currently reading "The Great Influenza" by John Barry. It's very well written and has a ton of history about the condition of the medical knowledge and practices at the turn of the 20th century. Had no idea that the US was so far behind the curve ball compared to Germany at that point in time.
|
|
FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by FamilySherpa on Nov 16, 2021 6:27:50 GMT -8
Out of all the Horace Kephart books, I never managed to finish possibly his most well known. I had read about half way through this book years ago, but got distracted and put it back on the shelf. Have picked it up again to start fresh from the beginning.
|
|
desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
|
Post by desert dweller on Nov 16, 2021 7:13:54 GMT -8
Solo travel did not appear to be his thing. Abbey's big solo hike through the heart of the Sonoran Desert was related through his essay called A Walk in the Desert Hills which appeared in his book Beyond the Wall. It was a 110 mile, two week hike going through the Barry Goldwater bombing range and the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. He references some other solo treks but seems to never have rafted solo. I met Abbey in the Spring of 1984 when I was attending the University of Arizona. He was coming out of the Student Union with a cup of coffee as I was going in to get a cup of coffee. It was no more than locking eyes, a slight smile and a nod. I could tell he knew that I knew who he was. It was enough for me.
|
|
|
Post by downriver on Nov 16, 2021 10:21:12 GMT -8
Solo travel did not appear to be his thing. Abbey's big solo hike through the heart of the Sonoran Desert was related through his essay called A Walk in the Desert Hills which appeared in his book Beyond the Wall. It was a 110 mile, two week hike going through the Barry Goldwater bombing range and the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. He references some other solo treks but seems to never have rafted solo. I met Abbey in the Spring of 1984 when I was attending the University of Arizona. He was coming out of the Student Union with a cup of coffee as I was going in to get a cup of coffee. It was no more than locking eyes, a slight smile and a nod. I could tell he knew that I knew who he was. It was enough for me. Yes, DD, I read that essay, too. I’ve also read Abbey use to like to leave some things out of his writings to make him appear more rugged, reliable and self-sufficient. Reading that canoeing essay where his friends are late, it appears he starts to get uncomfortable paddling alone. He gets lonely and a little frazzled padding and camping by himself. I’m wondering if he really spent much time traveling alone. Or, as he got older, he needed people around him while exploring the outdoors. Thx for sharing your story on meeting Abbey. I never met him. But I met Doug Peacock, Ed’s close friend, one night when I lived in Montana. It was a fun conversation and a beautiful summer evening weather-wise. One of the characters in Abbey’s Monkey Wrench Gang is based on Doug Peacock. Regards, DR
|
|
|
Post by downriver on Nov 16, 2021 21:16:01 GMT -8
Out of all the Horace Kephart books, I never managed to finish possibly his most well known. I had read about half way through this book years ago, but got distracted and put it back on the shelf. Have picked it up again to start fresh from the beginning. I started it yeas ago and never finished reading the book. I believe he died in a car accident at a relative young age? Also, I think he was a librarian in Saint Louis. Regards, DR
|
|
desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
|
Post by desert dweller on Nov 17, 2021 13:33:16 GMT -8
I've heard that Doug was quite the character. I've read all of Abbey's books and essays except this first one, Jonathan Troy. I also have the cassette collection, Freedom and Wilderness, in which Ed reads excerpts from his writings. I recently digitized the cassettes. Now, when I read his stuff, I hear his voice speaking the words.
|
|
|
Post by downriver on Nov 17, 2021 16:26:42 GMT -8
I've heard that Doug was quite the character. I've read all of Abbey's books and essays except this first one, Jonathan Troy. I also have the cassette collection, Freedom and Wilderness, in which Ed reads excerpts from his writings. I recently digitized the cassettes. Now, when I read his stuff, I hear his voice speaking the words. He is—-and he’s still alive living by Yellowstone in Montana. He occasionally “likes” one of my posts or pictures on Facebook. His Grizzly Years is an excellent read. I highly recommend it, if you have not read the book. Thats very cool! I have not heard of Freedom and Wilderness. I’ll check it out. Happy Trails, DR
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Nov 17, 2021 16:33:38 GMT -8
His Grizzly Years is an excellent read. I highly recommend it, if you have not read the book. +1. The Grizzly Years
|
|
FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by FamilySherpa on Nov 18, 2021 4:54:33 GMT -8
Out of all the Horace Kephart books, I never managed to finish possibly his most well known. I had read about half way through this book years ago, but got distracted and put it back on the shelf. Have picked it up again to start fresh from the beginning. I started it yeas ago and never finished reading the book. I believe he died in a car accident at a relative young age? Also, I think he was a librarian in Saint Louis. Regards, DR he was almost 70 when he died, but yes, it was a car accident. There's a small roadside memorial where it happened. I have mixed feelings on him as a person. Great advocate for the National Parks, wilderness areas, and had a profound respect for the people who lived there before logging companies took over. But, its believed that he was adulterous during his time in St Louis, and when he decided to move to the mountains of North Carolina, he abandoned his family, and by some accounts never paid a dollar of financial support to his wife.
|
|
|
Post by downriver on Nov 22, 2021 9:52:17 GMT -8
I started it yeas ago and never finished reading the book. I believe he died in a car accident at a relative young age? Also, I think he was a librarian in Saint Louis. Regards, DR he was almost 70 when he died, but yes, it was a car accident. There's a small roadside memorial where it happened. I have mixed feelings on him as a person. Great advocate for the National Parks, wilderness areas, and had a profound respect for the people who lived there before logging companies took over. But, its believed that he was adulterous during his time in St Louis, and when he decided to move to the mountains of North Carolina, he abandoned his family, and by some accounts never paid a dollar of financial support to his wife. Yes, I remember reading he was a very unhappy man. Unhappy with work, family and life, so he left for the mountains and freedom—and no support for family. Funny when a writer does not meet our expectations in their personal behavior in life. I just try to focus on the book. I really enjoyed exploring the area he wrote about in his book. Regards, DR
|
|