The spaciousness of it astounds me; this is the kind of country you dream of running away to when you are very young and innocently hungry, before you learn that all land is owned by somebody, that you can get arrested for swinging through trees in a loincloth, and that you were born either too late or too poor for everything you want to do.
The author expresses a deep appreciation for the vastness and beauty of a specific landscape, reflecting a sense of wonder and nostalgia. This expansive country evokes dreams of freedom and adventure, a space where one can escape life's limitations, especially during childhood when aspirations are pure and untainted by reality.
However, there's a poignant realization that such dreams are often hindered by societal constraints. The author highlights the harsh truths of ownership and legality, emphasizing that the joys of wild freedom are tempered by the burdens of reality, such as poverty and the passage of time, which impact the ability to pursue those youthful dreams.