Love your musings, Justin. Such thoughtful reflections on our “mechanized systems” of travel. This quote up top hit me right away - “Many people nowadays live in a series of interiors - home, car, gym, office, shops - disconnected from each other”. I’d not quite put words to it, but so true!
Great piece Justin. A lot resonated with me here. I can add a corollary to the journey vs destination: the process vs. the goal. We all seem to become very goal oriented, without wanting to enjoy the process. Everyone wants the view from the mountain, few are willing climb it. We are a "hack", "tips and tricks" and shortcut culture.
If anyone ever succeeded in putting a tram to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or to the top of Everest, it wouldn't be a thing any longer. Making it easy dilutes the experience entirely. Conquered, you pulled all its teeth out, the teeth that sink into you, and leave a mark.
I remember reading that Ed Abbey once wrote about the National parks, and the roads and over-crowding that occurred. He desperately wanted to convey that it shouldn't be easy to get there: the journey made the destination all that much more enticing.
That's so spot on Marty. I love that. I recall that from Abbey in 'Desert Solitaire' and quote him at length in my book about that exact idea and say something about how we could technically pave the whole stretch of the Appalachian Trail to drive with nice easy pull-offs with vending machines, but would it have the same feeling of accomplishment? Some places deserve our blood, sweat, and tears to reach. I like that a lot about learning to enjoy the process.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and mighty grateful for the paid subscription. Cheers!
Love your musings, Justin. Such thoughtful reflections on our “mechanized systems” of travel. This quote up top hit me right away - “Many people nowadays live in a series of interiors - home, car, gym, office, shops - disconnected from each other”. I’d not quite put words to it, but so true!
Thank you, Michael! I really appreciate that comment. Solnit's book is also full of wonderful musings. Highly recommend. Cheers!
Thanks for the recommendation, Justin! Inspiring to hear it’s sharp the whole way through. Managed to find it in Apple Books; added to my Read List 😃
Great piece Justin. A lot resonated with me here. I can add a corollary to the journey vs destination: the process vs. the goal. We all seem to become very goal oriented, without wanting to enjoy the process. Everyone wants the view from the mountain, few are willing climb it. We are a "hack", "tips and tricks" and shortcut culture.
If anyone ever succeeded in putting a tram to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, or to the top of Everest, it wouldn't be a thing any longer. Making it easy dilutes the experience entirely. Conquered, you pulled all its teeth out, the teeth that sink into you, and leave a mark.
I remember reading that Ed Abbey once wrote about the National parks, and the roads and over-crowding that occurred. He desperately wanted to convey that it shouldn't be easy to get there: the journey made the destination all that much more enticing.
That's so spot on Marty. I love that. I recall that from Abbey in 'Desert Solitaire' and quote him at length in my book about that exact idea and say something about how we could technically pave the whole stretch of the Appalachian Trail to drive with nice easy pull-offs with vending machines, but would it have the same feeling of accomplishment? Some places deserve our blood, sweat, and tears to reach. I like that a lot about learning to enjoy the process.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and mighty grateful for the paid subscription. Cheers!