well, not a huge one. Just a quick word for an initially unconvincing looking paperback my friend Karl gave me before i left Arizona.

Desert Solitaire (edward abbey)

amazon.co.uk
wikipedia

It's written by a guy who spends a couple of summers working in Arches National Park in the US, in 1960's days when mass tourism was still just over the horizon. As well as his observations and local stories, we get his musings from long days spent alone with no distractions from thinking, and a forthright social commentary with some eerily accurate predictive statements on the direction the world has headed, all in a great writing style.

on amazon second hand for $1.26 and well worth it!