Treks Across America

by Paul Birkhead   Rowan Public Library
     
      Something about the end of summer gets me in the mood for traveling.  You’d think I’d be tired of it by then as my family and I make several car trips during the summer months.  Perhaps it’s my way of extending the season or satisfying my wanderlust, but I tend to check out books this time of year that involve traveling.  Thank goodness for Rowan Public Library and its many resources that feature treks across America.

    Do you enjoy adventure?  Do you like baseball?  Answering yes to either question (or to both) means you’re sure to enjoy I Don’t Care if We Never Get Back: 30 Games in 30 Days on the Best Worst Baseball Road Trip Ever.  This book, written by friends Ben Blatt and Eric Brewster, is a fun read.  The goal to attend a game at all 30 major league ballparks is something many baseball fanatics (like Ben) wish to fulfill in their lifetime.  Throw in a friend (Eric) who could care less about baseball but who loves math and you get an algorithm that says attending 30 games at all 30 stadiums could be accomplished in exactly 30 days. 

Unfortunately, the algorithm assumes everything will go smoothly and that Ben and Eric can abide by several strict rules: They must be present at the very first pitch, they must be stay engaged during the game, and they must be present at the last pitch – no matter how long a game may take to finish.  It doesn’t take long for ‘the plan’ to go awry and the race to meet their goal in 30 days becomes quite compelling.  There are some interesting tidbits about the ballparks Ben and Eric visit, but what was most enjoyable to me was the banter between the two friends on their journey.

    Life on Foot is another book I’d recommend if the thought of traveling across the United States appeals to you.  Nate Damm is the author and subject of the book which tells the story of his journey across America.  In 2011, this young man from Maine found himself drawn to walking across the country.  Known by his friends and family as one who never fully committed to anything, Nate was hoping to prove them all wrong by completing such a difficult endeavor.  Nate tells his story in a straightforward manner and it was fun reading about the characters he meets as he travels and the landscape that challenges him every step of the way. 

      Well, not all trips across America have to be real.  I found an interesting fictional account in the book, Seeing America, written by Nancy Crocker.  This book tells the story of three young men who journey in a Model T Ford from Missouri to Yellowstone in the year 1910.  Since their journey takes place in the earliest years of automobile travel, there are numerous obstacles to overcome.  The three travelers, while seeking to learn more about their country, find themselves discovering things about each other along the way.

    Do you have the late summer season urge to travel?  Check out Rowan Public Library’s collection of travel essays.  Reading about someone else’s adventures may just scratch your itch to wander.  Or perhaps give you some ideas about what to do next year.