THE
ABBEY
PAGE
Above photo courtesy Eric Temple
March 14,1988
Tuscon, Arizona
I knew Ed Abbey for 15 years but only asked to take his photograph once.
Ed and Clarke had invited me many times to visit them in Tuscon,
but I had never taken up their offer. This time, in early 1988, Ed insisted.
I made the long drive to their home south of Tuscon from Moab and they
were gracious hosts. I slept in Ed's studio, where he did most of his writing .
We went to an exhibition basebal game at Hi Corbett Field, talked politics, the environment,
and maybe for the first time in our long friendship, I began to feel comfortable around
this man I had idolized for so long. I finally felt confident enough to argue with him!
And on one lovely evening, as Ed chopped wood barefooted and the light was just right,
I asked Ed if I could take his photograph. He mumbled something, nodded and
I took this picture. The date was March 14,1988.
Ed Abbey died exactly one year later....JS