2 Quotes by Edward Abbey "Desert Solitaire"

The cactus of the high desert is a small grubby, obscure and humble vegetable associated with cattle dung and overgrazing, interesting only when you tangle with it the wrong way. Yet from this nest of thorns, this snare of hooks and fiery spines, is born once each year a splendid flower. It is unpluckable and except to an insect almost unapproachable, yet soft, lovely, sweet, desirable, exemplifying better than the rose among thorns the unity of opposites

Whatever the cost, however financed, the benefits for park visitors in health and happiness--virtues unknown to statisticians--would be immeasurable.