Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit – Edward Abbey
I laid down for a comfy night’s sleep under the stars but you let me down.
I slept on the ground. It was cold and uninviting.
We traveled the country together. From Arizona to Joshua Tree and Death Valley. Through Yellowstone, Yosemite, along the Colorado, Florida, and Superior Trails.
Why did you fail me during my trip to Bear’s Ears?
I woke up and you were flat.
In mid-May, I received a message that I was quoted in the article below which is a story that highlights living paycheck to paycheck. I feel fortunate to be included. The article was timely. It was published in the midst of a pandemic, when unemployment had skyrocketed to unforeseen levels since the Great Depression. Although the request for the quote took place weeks before the pandemic caused a major shift in everyone’s lives. My comments were worthy then and even more so now.
https://medium.com/@raininstantpay/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-stories-from-real-people-e37cffb94e19
Many people have seen their income completely change as a result of COVID. Jobs are gone. Some industries are still struggling. Others may never come back. I love the work I do. I believe it has become more valuable over the last several months as individuals and families have ventured into the outdoors to seek recreation, solace, and mental healing. The fact that my job doesn’t beget a large paycheck is a small downside in world that values economics and the all mighty dollar. Living with a smaller amount of means has enabled me to focus on what is important to purchase or where to spend the money I do earn. It has given me the insight to learn that life is much more then how much we make.
For many people the challenge of living with financial uncertainty provides a level of stress and anxiety they cannot handle. It does have its downsides when an unexpected crisis occurs. Or if you are trying to save for something special. The last several months have displayed that in greater force.
Ultimately, I do believe it is important to present another side of the financial story. There are many people who struggle week to week to be able to afford basic necessities. I believe this article provides a number of different prospectives.
I have always admired Wallace Stegner. His writing is a blend of poetry and realism that creeps into your soul and doesn’t let go until it becomes a part of you. Separating it will destroy your being leaving you never quite the same.
This letter, that Wallace Stegner wrote in 1960 in support of the Wilderness Act, was republished recently online. Reading it reminds me of the challenges the many proponents of the Act faced. Their challenges were not just in convincing Congress to support such a radical measure. But, they were more entrenched in the profound idea that Wilderness should exist at all. With the blessing of hindsight I am grateful these pioneers of idea were able to garner the courage and gather the support they needed to move this idea forward. Without it, I am sure I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
The last two lines of this piece are, in my opinion, the strongest argument and reflect my deepest values for preserving wild country.
Recently I received a comment on my old Montrail hiking boots. “I had them”, this person said. “I love them. I can’t get rid of them,” was my reply.
My Montrail hiking boots have been demoted to doing trailwork only – which I don’t do nearly as much as I used to. However, despite their lack of regular use every time I put them on its like meeting up with an old friend.
These boots were one of my first pair of backpacking boots. They have been with me for the past 15 years. Trampling all through New England – covering the Presidential Traverse twice, atop Mt. Washington and Mt. Katahdin and many other high summits in the White Mountains.
When I decided the soles were wearing a little too much I instantly bought another pair, not realizing the boot had actually changed. Although they were still called Montrail, the same name and looked the same – they were not the same. Instantly I knew they were different. Although my second pair of Montrails had many exciting adventures at first – they eventually gave in after three weeks of hiking in the Grand Canyon and lots of duct tape.
My first pair though, yes, the soles are worn and somehow I should get them resoled; yes, the heal is wearing away on the inside, but really they still have life left in them. I’ve often wondered, why did they have to change? I was a customer for life. But change they did.
At some point they will wear out to the point of not being usable but until then they’ll still be my favorite pair of boots.
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” -Edward Abbey