By the end of chapter 18 Olson comes to terms with the railroad. He realizes that without the railroad he would not have all the wonders he has experienced thoughout his life. The railroad is a symbol of dreams, hope, and culture for Olson. After he comes to terms with the railroad he listens to "The Whistle" with pleasure. What would you think if you heard the sound of a railroad in the middle of a wilderness?
At the top of page 40 Olson states that even if people "never know the wilderness except from their automobiles, nevertheless are conscious of its power." This statement emphasizes the need for national parks, and I'm sure that's partly what Olson was referring to when he wrote "Listening Poin." People, whether they actually fully experience wilderness or not, are fascinated with its concept. We, as humans, need places set aside for wilderness.
Are the struggles people have in the bush a battle against nature, or more of a personally rewarding self challenge? Are people still out to conquer nature in their own way?
Olson seems to attach a lot of meaning to various aspects of the north, the call of loons, train whistles, paddles, or blades. All of these ideas seem to illustrate either nature, civilization, and careful use of resources and skilled work. He has a very unique way of expressing his thoughts.
I enjoyed Olson's account of creating the paddle. One does one do when they have access and appreciation to wilderness but want more? Create your own gear. I laced my own snowshoes a few years ago (I didn't carve out the frames myself) and I found that alot of work but really gratifying as well. I also likes how it finally rested in a place of honor in his home. He had worked so hard to create it, and it had done so much for him. It's weird yet warming to know that this seemingly meaninless inanimate object to one person can mean so much to another.
The way his realization of the sound of the train had changed since he was young showed that as he got older his view point of civilization and the wilderness should be separate from each other, but never will be. When he was young the sound of a train after weeks of not hearing anything from civilization was the realization that they had completed something that they thought that they couldn't reach. Now he looks back and realizes that it was the closeness of the civilization throught the train that was exciting, yet it also sounded the end of a wonderful adventure.
For some reason, I found the small section on the "death card" really interesting. It was on page 203. He receives a card with a black border and a broken canoe paddle on it with the person's name who died. I have never heard of anything like this and am wondering if anyone else has. The broken paddle seems to cut at his heart. It is really an interesting way to acknowledge someone's passing.
Just in general, I would like to say that in the process of reading these parts of the book, I am sad that I have never been to the Quetico-Superior Area. Some of his descriptions make me want to travel this instant. I do hope to get there someday soon.
Lastly, if anyone has one, as he describes a listening point at the end of Chapter One, does anyone have one of their own?
When Olson talked about the eelpout spawning, it was beautiful. "Only in the midwinter can their strange primordial mating be observed". They went to watch the graceful ritual and find a deep meaning to it.
Overall, the last chapter of the book was so descriptive and vivid, it made me want to be there. His writing appealed to all of the senses and it was moving.
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
One thing about this book is that it reminds the reader of their own experiences, and by recalling them they seem almost new again. For instance, when the author talks about his distress at hearing the whistle of the train, I was reminded of everytime I go hunting in the woods behind my house and am annoyed by hearing the cars on the highway.
Another thing I could relate to was when he spoke about the unique bond that builds among a group of people when they are cut off from everyone else in the wilderness. I think many of us have experience something like that.
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
By the end of chapter 18 Olson comes to terms with the railroad. He realizes that without the railroad he would not have all the wonders he has experienced thoughout his life. The railroad is a symbol of dreams, hope, and culture for Olson. After he comes to terms with the railroad he listens to "The Whistle" with pleasure. What would you think if you heard the sound of a railroad in the middle of a wilderness?
At the top of page 40 Olson states that even if people "never know the wilderness except from their automobiles, nevertheless are conscious of its power." This statement emphasizes the need for national parks, and I'm sure that's partly what Olson was referring to when he wrote "Listening Poin." People, whether they actually fully experience wilderness or not, are fascinated with its concept. We, as humans, need places set aside for wilderness.
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Comments
im the juggernaught bitch! imma hit you with yo own pimp!
Posted by: asf | May 2, 2006 06:13 PM
By the end of chapter 18 Olson comes to terms with the railroad. He realizes that without the railroad he would not have all the wonders he has experienced thoughout his life. The railroad is a symbol of dreams, hope, and culture for Olson. After he comes to terms with the railroad he listens to "The Whistle" with pleasure. What would you think if you heard the sound of a railroad in the middle of a wilderness?
At the top of page 40 Olson states that even if people "never know the wilderness except from their automobiles, nevertheless are conscious of its power." This statement emphasizes the need for national parks, and I'm sure that's partly what Olson was referring to when he wrote "Listening Poin." People, whether they actually fully experience wilderness or not, are fascinated with its concept. We, as humans, need places set aside for wilderness.
Posted by: Jamie Seitzer | May 2, 2006 09:29 PM
Are the struggles people have in the bush a battle against nature, or more of a personally rewarding self challenge? Are people still out to conquer nature in their own way?
Olson seems to attach a lot of meaning to various aspects of the north, the call of loons, train whistles, paddles, or blades. All of these ideas seem to illustrate either nature, civilization, and careful use of resources and skilled work. He has a very unique way of expressing his thoughts.
Posted by: Nick Miller | May 2, 2006 10:53 PM
I enjoyed Olson's account of creating the paddle. One does one do when they have access and appreciation to wilderness but want more? Create your own gear. I laced my own snowshoes a few years ago (I didn't carve out the frames myself) and I found that alot of work but really gratifying as well. I also likes how it finally rested in a place of honor in his home. He had worked so hard to create it, and it had done so much for him. It's weird yet warming to know that this seemingly meaninless inanimate object to one person can mean so much to another.
Posted by: Mike Bush | May 2, 2006 11:56 PM
The way his realization of the sound of the train had changed since he was young showed that as he got older his view point of civilization and the wilderness should be separate from each other, but never will be. When he was young the sound of a train after weeks of not hearing anything from civilization was the realization that they had completed something that they thought that they couldn't reach. Now he looks back and realizes that it was the closeness of the civilization throught the train that was exciting, yet it also sounded the end of a wonderful adventure.
Posted by: Jessica Bryan | May 3, 2006 07:58 AM
For some reason, I found the small section on the "death card" really interesting. It was on page 203. He receives a card with a black border and a broken canoe paddle on it with the person's name who died. I have never heard of anything like this and am wondering if anyone else has. The broken paddle seems to cut at his heart. It is really an interesting way to acknowledge someone's passing.
Just in general, I would like to say that in the process of reading these parts of the book, I am sad that I have never been to the Quetico-Superior Area. Some of his descriptions make me want to travel this instant. I do hope to get there someday soon.
Lastly, if anyone has one, as he describes a listening point at the end of Chapter One, does anyone have one of their own?
Posted by: Carla Inderrieden | May 3, 2006 08:38 AM
When Olson talked about the eelpout spawning, it was beautiful. "Only in the midwinter can their strange primordial mating be observed". They went to watch the graceful ritual and find a deep meaning to it.
Overall, the last chapter of the book was so descriptive and vivid, it made me want to be there. His writing appealed to all of the senses and it was moving.
Posted by: Amanda Melhorn | May 3, 2006 10:35 AM
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
Posted by: Katie Hausladen | May 3, 2006 11:40 AM
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
Posted by: Katie Hausladen | May 3, 2006 11:41 AM
One thing about this book is that it reminds the reader of their own experiences, and by recalling them they seem almost new again. For instance, when the author talks about his distress at hearing the whistle of the train, I was reminded of everytime I go hunting in the woods behind my house and am annoyed by hearing the cars on the highway.
Another thing I could relate to was when he spoke about the unique bond that builds among a group of people when they are cut off from everyone else in the wilderness. I think many of us have experience something like that.
Posted by: Katrina Hopkins | May 4, 2006 04:14 PM
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
Posted by: Katrina Hopkins | May 5, 2006 11:48 AM
On page 235-236 the comment was made on how nice it was to look a long way without seeing any houses. Even though I live in the country I kind of feel the same way. I don't think I could ever live somewhere where I could look out my bedroom window and be able to see into another house's window. I need so much more privacy than that.
On pages 203-204, the author speaks about how the broken paddle on the card announcing his friends death meant more than a thousand words. I think that this visual element of explanation extends to many aspects of life.
Posted by: Katrina Hopkins | May 5, 2006 11:48 AM
By the end of chapter 18 Olson comes to terms with the railroad. He realizes that without the railroad he would not have all the wonders he has experienced thoughout his life. The railroad is a symbol of dreams, hope, and culture for Olson. After he comes to terms with the railroad he listens to "The Whistle" with pleasure. What would you think if you heard the sound of a railroad in the middle of a wilderness?
At the top of page 40 Olson states that even if people "never know the wilderness except from their automobiles, nevertheless are conscious of its power." This statement emphasizes the need for national parks, and I'm sure that's partly what Olson was referring to when he wrote "Listening Poin." People, whether they actually fully experience wilderness or not, are fascinated with its concept. We, as humans, need places set aside for wilderness.
Posted by: Katrina Hopkins | May 5, 2006 11:49 AM
cock!
Posted by: yeaaayyyy! | May 5, 2006 11:49 AM
Easy to post on this page. I could care less about Olson.
Posted by: no thanks | January 27, 2008 10:51 PM
Two questions:
(1) Why?
(2) Why not?
Posted by: Olson, S. | January 27, 2008 10:52 PM