Just a Little Travel

I feel like Johnny Cash in his song I've Been Everywhere


"I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere"

Packed up the Hummer and my husband, the dog, and I set off on a road trip.  We traveled through 13 states in 2 1/2 weeks and saw some amazing sites and several National Parks, including Big Bend, Yosemite, and Death Valley.  We also saw some things that make me realize this is no longer the America I grew up in, and that is disappointing.  I am happy to be home, but I may never feel safe traveling by car again. While our Internet access was spotty, I did read some of my review books and will now get busy with posting the reviews. 

Turnings: Lyric Poems along a Road by Donald R. Fletcher

Turnings: Lyric Poems Along a Road
Amazon.com Link

Turnings is the autobiography of Donald R. Fletcher with stories and poems of his birth country of Korea and his life with his wife, Martha, in South America and the Unites States. It is also a spiritual journey from an evangelical upbringing to an ecumenical pastorate where he was able to create a “commitment ceremony” for his homosexual son and partner.

Turnings is also a book filled with beautiful poetry. The book begins with a poem to the fossilized bones of a three year old described by National Geographic as half human and half ape. There are also poems written for the people in his life and places that he traveled as he expresses this joys and sorrows throughout the years. The back of the book has some lovely family pictures.

Vineyard Days by Gene Pisasale ****

Vineyard Days Amazon Link

Excerpt from the book: "We did take a drive down to Gay Head…walked around Moshup Beach…found a very nice leather satchel washed up on shore. Couldn’t tell what was really inside… looked like a bunch of wet papers,” Jim said, still looking out at the ocean... but then he looked up and noticed Eddy was staring right at him, almost with a glare… and it spooked Jim for a second. Then Eddy looked down and said, “Yeah? That’s somethin’… Never know what’ll wash up on the beach…”

Jim and Natalie wanted a relaxing vacation on Martha’s Vineyard with good food, sunshine and walks on the beach… What they weren’t expecting was being involved in a murder investigation linked to the Mafia, the stock market crash and massive securities fraud…and meeting Eddy, who could just as easily kill you as shake your hand…

My Review:

The author, Gene Pisasale, describes the book as a walk through Martha’s Vineyard and that is a perfect description. The reader is an eavesdropper following along with the main characters, Jim and Natalie, as they tour the Martha’s Vineyard area. The reader partakes in the sights, sounds and flavors of the area as the author describes and discusses the food, wine, restaurants, lighthouses, beaches, and trails. Travel along with them as they are entertained by bicycle rides, watching sandpipers, shell collecting and discussions with the locals. There is an interesting discussion of the famous Chappaquiddick incident and even some recent political issues.

There is even a murder mystery woven into the story. While not a hard-hitting, gritty mystery, it does reflect current true-life events concerning investment fraud.

The author’s knowledge about gourmet food, wines, and the Vineyard area is evident in his book.
Vineyard Days is a light read with a travelogue feel - a perfect read for the beach or on your way to Martha’s Vineyard! The author has a website http://www.foodwinetravelhistory.com/, with information and reviews about Martha’s Vineyard and other travel and food related places.

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia *****

Amazon link here: The Mystery of the Third Lucretia


From the back of the book: Kari and Lucas first noticed a man copying a famous Rembrandt in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Thanks to Lucas’s photographic memory, they recognize him copying another Rembrandt in the National Gallery during their trip to London. Then when a never-before-seen Rembrandt shows up in Amsterdam, the girls start to think that something unusual – and quite possibly illegal – is going on. The only problem is who’s going to listen to a couple of teenagers?

My Review
What happens when 14 year old girlfriends, Kari and Lucas, show a little too much curiosity around a mysterious artist in a Minneapolis art museum? What happens is an international mystery and intrigue happening around them. Kari and Lucas are delightful characters who are fun, smart, talented and curious. Their adventures take them overseas when Kari’s mother takes a job that allows them to travel with her.

The dialog is spot-on for the age of the characters, and I could almost hear their voices while I was reading. Also, their friendship was true to life, including a few spats. I thought I would be able to say this is a great mystery book for young people, but I enjoyed it so much that I would have no problem recommending the book for parents to read too. (ages 10 - ?) I think it would allow some interesting dialog between parents and young teens.

It would also make a good classroom book. The author has a website with more information on the characters and books. http://www.susanrunholt.com/ Thankfully, this book is a part of a series and I look forward to reading more.