The State apparently has some of Sanford's personal emails to his Argentine girlfriend, which include this passage:
To me, and I suspect no one else on earth, there is something wonderful about listening to country music playing in the cab, air conditioner running, the hum of a huge diesel engine in the back ground, the tranquillity that comes with being in a virtual wilderness of trees and marsh, the day breaking and vibrant pink coming alive in the morning clouds - and getting to build something with each scoop of dirt.
Of course, Thoreau didn't wax lyrical about tan lines and curvy hips, about which Sanford also wrote.
A snap survey of a few friends is that the emails make him oddly more likeable. (Not sure his wife would agree, though.)
--Michael Crowley