Joys come from simple and natural things: mists over meadows, sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water.

Joys come from simple and natural things: mists over meadows, sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water.

Simplicity in all things is the secret of the wilderness and one of its most valuable lessons

Simplicity in all things is the secret of the wilderness and one of its most valuable lessons. It is what we leave behind that is important. I think the matter of simplicity goes further than just food, equipment, and unnecessary gadgets; it goes into the matter of thoughts and objectives as well. When in the wilds, we must not carry our problems with us or the joy is lost.

When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known.

The way of a canoe is the way of the wilderness, and of a freedom almost forgotten.

And so when we talk about intangible values remember that they cannot be separated from the others. The conservation of waters, forests, soils, and wildlife are all involved with the conservation of the human spirit. The goal we all strive toward is happiness, contentment, the dignity of the individual, and the good life. This goal will elude us forever if we forget the importance of the intangibles.