“I saw in their eyes something I was to see over and over in every part of the nation—a burning desire to go, to move, to get under way, anyplace, away from any Here. They spoke quietly of how they wanted to go someday, to move about, free and unanchored, not toward something but away from something. I saw this look and heard this yearning everywhere in every state I visited. Nearly every American hungers to move.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley in Search of America
You never know where a new path will lead you. You never know where an LAPC prompt will lead you. When I saw Ann-Christines challenge for us to illustrate a quote or poem, my mind veered and went a different direction. I immediately went to “Travels with Charley in Search of America,” A book I recently re-read.
I first read this book about 40 years ago and didn’t realize until now that it created the need for me to go across the country in our fifth wheel trailer. I wanted to experience all of my country. It was a glorious three months and I wish it could have been longer. After my re-read, I realized America was certainly different when we went across versus Steinbeck’s crossing, and I’m sure it’s changed in the last 11 years.
Steinbeck traveled across America in a truck and camper with his aging poodle Charley. The book is a great essay on America. In my re-read I could immediately associate with some of the places and people he met.
I’ve posted sights from this wonderful trip in my blog before, but I also had the good fortune to visit family again–some for the last time. It was a wonderful and emotional trip, getting to know cousins again and meeting their families.
It’s those connections that meant so much to me and still do.
Now it’s on to meeting the family. Here are cousins from my Dad’s side. I’m the youngest Horowitz, and the only on the West coast, so I was glad I got to see them again. Ed and Judy live in Florida, but we didn’t go that far south.
Now for my Mom’s side. Meet the Seidels.
I’d better quit while I’m just one picture over! Yes, there are more cousins who live on the West Coast, and I treasure them dearly.
Thank you Ann-Christine for sending me on this journey even though I went off the path a bit. When you post your response to this challenge, please remember to link to Ann-Christine’s post and use the Lens-Artists tag. We saw a lot of drama last week. What wonderful responses. Next week Sofia will be posting our challenge. Be sure to look for her post.
Slow Shutter Speed 
What a wonderful book and quote to motivate you to see the US, Anne. Those trips created lifetime memories and will forever be in your heart as well as your family’s. My need to see and travel the Southwest was inspired by Tony Hillerman (and now his daughter Anne) who wrote many books about the Navajo tribal police and their adventures. His descriptions of the Southwest and in the huge area of the Navajo nation placed me there and I eventually traveled often to the area. Amazing how reading opens up the world to us!
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Thanks Terri! It’s funny how something we’re exposed to can motivate us to do something years later. Yes, books take us places that do become our reality.
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How nice Anne 🙂. I’ve read that lovely book (may be 4/5 years back..can’t remember who loaned it to me🤔) and in fact, was thinking about it since the last two days when Ann-Christine posted the challenge, but couldn’t remember the title of the book! What a coincidence (or is it magic?) that you write about it 😀.
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Wow PR, some coincidence! It just goes to show how one author can affect many. Thank you!
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Anne, I love the direction you took us with the prompt. It was a brief and yet, intimate look at your life, the vision to travel, and to see the US. It is truly the connections we make that are so important in life. Thank you for bringing the book to my attention. I know I would love it, as we too have been across country a few times and find it fascinating. PS. How lucky you were to reconnect with family in your travels. Fantastic post.
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Thanks Donna! The post didn’t start out this way, but I just followed my heart. Three of my cousins have since passed. It’s so important to stay in touch and I’m so glad we took the time with family.
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Yes. And sometimes that happens with me and my posts too. I have these (what I think) are great ideas and something else comes to light. I agree family is so important. I am not sure I could have survived the loss of my day last year without being surrounded with family. I think we all bounce off of each other.
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Steinbeck is one of my favourite authors and I’ve loved all of his books. Travels with Charley first got me interested in travelling in the US too, I loved the sense of being on the road and in somewhere new each day!
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When we travel in our RV, we have a basic destination in mind but never know where we will stop for the night. It’s a freeing experience and could be why I’d rather be on the road than on a plane. I also like the fact that I have my little house with me.
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I’ve never travelled with an RV or caravan – we like the creature comforts of a room for the night and the excitement of not knowing what our accommodation will be like! But I know what you mean about that freeing experience. We usually have a plan as to where we’ll spend the night (these days we often have to pre-book) but we never know what we’ll see along the way 😀
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What a touching quote from John Steinbeck, Anne. “…not toward something but away from something”, beautifully said. I love how you connect the quote with your stories of your family and your travels. Thank you for introducing this book.
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Thank you Amy! Read the book as you travel. You’ll learn a lot about people.
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Will do! Thanks again💖
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I loved your trip through the country, and I feel this quote is really so American. Many of you originate from other countries, and the urge to move, leave and go is in you. Terrific post. I too am a fan of Steinbeck. I always had my students read “Of Mice and Men”.
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Thanks Ann-Christine. This book is a favorite of mine and it was fun to re-read it.
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What an excellent choice on this one Anne, and so different ! I loved “meeting” your family and hearing of your journeys across our beautiful country. I must admit I’ve not done a camper but have driven across country and visited most all of our national parks. One need not travel around the world to see the gifts nature has given us along with some of the great cities that have grown up along the way.
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Thanks Tina! Seems like I’m always twisting challenges, but that’s the fun of it.
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Sweet home sweet! Lovely family
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Thank you Akolzol!
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