Book 2012: 20 Miles per Cookie

Twenty Miles Per Cookie by Nancy Sathre-Vogel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What I enjoyed most about this story was the inspiration to live boldly and adventurously regardless of whether you have careers and children or not. I found their back stories of travel and settling down as well as the general idea of traveling by bike around the U.S. refreshing and exciting. I could have used more development in the writing and as another reviewer mentioned, a greater explanation and elaboration on some scenes in the story. Regardless, I'm inspired, and I suppose that's about half the purpose!
A couple highlights:
"In my many years of traveling I've found adventure is, many times, only one step away from disaster. It springs from the unknown - from having no idea how we will meet our basic needs. It is stressful, but the kind of stress I can look upon and say, "What an unexpected turn of events!" It's those days that make for the most memorable experiences, and are, therefore, the most rewarding days of a journey." (location 1405)
"We continued talking well into the night about how it seemed like the poorest regions on earth was where generosity and warmth of human spirit flowed the most abundantly." (location 1446)
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A few other notes: One of the primary reasons I find this inspiring is basically...my own issue of pride. Let me explain. Living the life that we're living, abroad in Korea, 40 day road trips prior and around the world travels sprinkled between often garner this response from wise, honored and practical friends: "It's great you're doing that now, you won't have the time (funds, energy, -insert noun of depravity for parents here- ) once you have children." I smile, nod and say "yeah." In my more prideful quarters however, I'm thinking "I value and love the life we're living and I'm sure kids will change the way it plays out...but, I think we'll still travel."

Now, this isn't to say I don't trust my wise and good and practial friends, I think I have no idea what parenting will cost as far as time, responsibility and sacrifce of my own desires. BUT, travel and adventures are important to us, we value the experiences gained through such and I don't think it's impossible to bring offspring along for such adventures and I'm increasingly confident that we will do just that. In planning for our recent trip to Vietnam our research lead us to a variety of blog posts. One blog With 2 Kids in Tow, chronicles one family (Mother, Father and 2 young girls) travelling all over the world for a year. AND, while travelling in Vietnam, we saw SO MANY families. It can be done. It is not impossible. It is something I'm again, increasingly confident, Mike and I will incorporate into parenting.

So, 20 Miles per Cookie is inspiring. AND, it's just the story of their travels across/around the United States and Mexico. A year or so later the family took off on a tour going from Alaska to Argentina - wild. And beautiful.

You can read more about the author, her family, their travels and other related details a Family on Bikes.

(Typed thinking about lunch...that is all).