Some of us are born with a wanderlust. It never leaves, always in the back of our minds. Twenty years in an office, I couldn't fight it anymore. My youth was spent with my thumb in the air. I met some great people, preachers looking for converts and truckers looking for company. I wanted to feel that freedom again. I went to a trucking school and agreed to become, more or less, an indebntured slave for a year to repay my education. After thirteen months I was free to choose my company and direction. North to Canada, west to California, east to the small states with too many people. Every day a different road, direction and faces.
I'm so glad I made that decision. Ten years in a routine insurance exam turned up a heart issue but, with medication, I could continue driving. Then diabetes. Then neuropathy. I'm out now. Not even so much as a drivers license. All I have left are some great memories. And some great tales from you James.
I love how you describe the outdoors. I'm working on a novel and my first title was going to be Fall River Road, because I liked how that sounded. Of course, I named it after the road in Estes Park because I live near there. I changed the title to just River Road after moving my setting to the Texas Hill Country, after the road along the Pedernales.
Highly urge you, Ed, to keep the Fall River Road title. River Road is too generic, I think. Old River Road? High River Road? Just not plain ol' River Road. Doesn't speak loudly enough.
My father was from Mississippi and I was always wanting to understand what had made him such a mess. Plus, I was fascinated by a place where it rarely snowed.
That ride that you did in Australia is a stand out for me too. Riding a day with you there is stuck in my memory. Some nice twisty back roads before the long straights.
A wonderful travel essay. Makes me itch to get on the road. “Ablution,”Love it.
The building with showers and restrooms at Aussie campgrounds even generally has a sign on it reading, "Ablution Block."
There is nothing better to be on a road along the Border with no cell service, John Prine, Guy Clark, andTownes Van Zandt CDs with a journal.
I'll take that recipe any day, bro.
Jim, you make me want to sell everything (except the Seward house of course) and hit the road.
Then that’s what needs to be done, bro.
Some of us are born with a wanderlust. It never leaves, always in the back of our minds. Twenty years in an office, I couldn't fight it anymore. My youth was spent with my thumb in the air. I met some great people, preachers looking for converts and truckers looking for company. I wanted to feel that freedom again. I went to a trucking school and agreed to become, more or less, an indebntured slave for a year to repay my education. After thirteen months I was free to choose my company and direction. North to Canada, west to California, east to the small states with too many people. Every day a different road, direction and faces.
I'm so glad I made that decision. Ten years in a routine insurance exam turned up a heart issue but, with medication, I could continue driving. Then diabetes. Then neuropathy. I'm out now. Not even so much as a drivers license. All I have left are some great memories. And some great tales from you James.
Thank you ever so much.
Man, I'll bet you've got some stories to tell, too.
I love how you describe the outdoors. I'm working on a novel and my first title was going to be Fall River Road, because I liked how that sounded. Of course, I named it after the road in Estes Park because I live near there. I changed the title to just River Road after moving my setting to the Texas Hill Country, after the road along the Pedernales.
Highly urge you, Ed, to keep the Fall River Road title. River Road is too generic, I think. Old River Road? High River Road? Just not plain ol' River Road. Doesn't speak loudly enough.
Experience. And hope.
That's what I always get from the road, Mick.
What was the origin of your interest in, or fascination with, the American South? What drew you there before you’d ever seen it?
My father was from Mississippi and I was always wanting to understand what had made him such a mess. Plus, I was fascinated by a place where it rarely snowed.
That ride that you did in Australia is a stand out for me too. Riding a day with you there is stuck in my memory. Some nice twisty back roads before the long straights.