Reflection on Abbey's Polemic

 Upon reading Abbey's polemic on what he calls industrial tourism in the national parks, I was struck by his view that wilderness is a basic human need. My whole life I have lived in an urban or suburban setting, rarely venturing away from the masses of civilization to encounter the authentic natural world. In fact, as I read this piece I came to the realization that I have never been in the wilderness in the way that Abbey means it. Sure, I have been on the odd camping trip, but my tent has never been far from a lodge or cabin with electricity and running water. I keep wondering whether I am missing out on something that is truly essential. Whenever I have gone to state parks or other places of great natural beauty, I have for the most part been the guy that’s wondering where’s the john and the coke machine. My parents are not really outdoorsmen themselves, so I guess I never really grew up with the opportunity to experience the true wild. I have yet to muster, “ the refusal to live always like sardines in a can” as Abbey puts it. But I am my own man now, and my experiences are detached from my parents. Should I be seeking out this escape from the industrialized world? It wouldn’t be that hard to plan. I have so often heard how awesome it is to go camping and canoeing in the boundary waters of northern Minnesota, even from Dr. Williams. This isn’t more than a few hours drive from where I will live for two months following my graduation. Perhaps I should go experience the wild for a few days before I dive into corporate America for the foreseeable future. I wonder if I will be able to convince myself. I wonder what I would discover about myself.