Blue Bug Red Road

"This wonderful narrative by a retired history professor takes us back through the time and space of his ancestors and his own youth. Weaving between present and past, it offers a unique blend of nostalgia and incisive commentary about the imprint of Americans on the land and on each other. Gaines Post Jr. shares with us an odyssey that is at once personal and universal."-James McPherson, Emeritus Professor of History, Princeton University, and author of Battle Cry of Freedom On a solo trip in 2002, Gaines Post Jr. drives his 1966 Volkswagen Bug from California to Wisconsin and back, traveling so slowly that the land and its history seep into his bones. Crossing old trails kindles his imagination of the westward expansion that attracted his ancestors and shaped America's national character. In South Dakota, he visits Red Cloud's grave and hears the great Lakota leader whisper that Post is not at the end of his path. While working cattle on a Wyoming ranch, Post recalls his grandfather, born during Red Cloud's War. Part travelogue, part memoir, and overflowing with history's natural wonder, Blue Bug, Red Road speaks to those with a wandering spirit searching for quiet layers of time and memory within the American landscape.

Written for cyclists of all stripes, Best Bike Rides books offer a diverse array of scenic tours in and around some of America's largest urban destinations. Road rides, rail rides, bike paths, and single-track mountain bike rides all get included. Most rides are in the 5 to 30 mile range, allowing for great afternoon outings and family adventures. Each book features 35 to 40 rides with color photos, maps, point-by-point miles and directions, and GPS coordinates of starting and finishing points.

When is a burning vehicle at the bottom of a ravine not a traffic accident but an attempt to cover up a murder? When the vehicle involved has been pushed into the ravine and the crispy critter who was the driver of the vehicle is discovered to have a gunshot hole in her head. And why are officers of the California Highway Patrol prime suspects in the murder? Only a jilted wife really knows the answer.

The Impossible Road Trip explores the roadside of all of America's 50 states, recalling the golden age of car travel with histories and color photos of iconic roadside attractions, as well as unique map illustrations.

In 1975 Kenneth Lincoln went on the road with his small daughter and four students, traveling from Los Angeles through Arizona, New Mexico, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, searching for the essence of the Indian experience in modern America. His gritty but poetic account of this trip explores the challenges facing native peoples. The Good Red Road captures the tension between Indians and whites, reveals the continuing importance of religion among the Lakotas, and depicts the differences among Indians. Finally, the book is a journey of self-discovery by Lincoln and his students, one of them coauthor Al Logan Slagle, a Cherokee Indian and later an advocate for Indian rights.

As three generations of women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change—whether they’re ready for it or not. At thirty-eight, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her and, after her failed marriage, she’s fine with that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she’s really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter’s wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from her high school days who’s known her better than anyone and whom she hasn’t seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected. Meanwhile, Jessie’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions—particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who’s moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie’s mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future. For these three strong Southern women, the roots they’ve planted on Glory Road will give life to the adventures waiting just around the curve. Praise for Glory Road: “Rich colorful characters capturing my heart, combined with a story that kept me up till the wee hours, Glory Road is a perfect read. Lauren Denton has done it again!” —Lisa Patton, bestselling author of Rush and Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter Stand-alone Southern women’s fiction novel Book length: approximately 95,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs