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Which brings me to the final aspect of the problem of…

“Which brings me to the final aspect of the problem of Industrial Tourism: the Industrial Tourists themselves. They work hard, these people. They roll up incredible mileages on their odometers, rack up state after state in two-week transcontinental motor marathons, knock off one national park after…” quote by Edward Abbey
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““Which brings me to the final aspect of the problem of Industrial Tourism: the Industrial Tourists themselves. They work hard, these people. They roll up incredible mileages on their odometers, rack up state after state in two-week transcontinental motor marathons, knock off one national park after another, take millions of square yards of photographs, and endure patiently the most prolonged discomforts: the tedious traffic jams, the awful food of park cafeterias and roadside eateries, the nocturnal search for a place to sleep or camp, the dreary routine of One-Stop Service, the endless lines of creeping traffic, the smell of exhaust fumes, the ever-proliferating Rules & Regulations, the fees and the bills and the service charges, the boiling radiator and the flat tire and the vapor lock, the surly retorts of room clerks and traffic cops, the incessant jostling of the anxious crowds, the irritation and restlessness of their children, the worry of their wives, and the long drive home at night in a stream of racing cars against the lights of another stream racing in the opposite direction, passing now and then the obscure tangle, the shattered glass, the patrolman’s lurid blinker light, of one more wreck.””

Edward Abbey

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage lists the hardships endured by industrial tourists, highlighting the physical and mental toll of extensive travel.

In simple terms: Industrial tourists face many difficulties during long trips.

Key Takeaway

Prepare for and mitigate travel challenges.

Themes

travel endurance tourism

Mood

reflective critical

Type

observational critical

When to use this quote

  • road trips
  • national park visits
  • long-distance driving

Key Concepts

logistics human resilience

Questions to Reflect On

  • What practical steps can reduce these hardships?
  • Are all tourists equally affected?
A Different Perspective

The description may exaggerate for rhetorical effect.

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