Overview

Essays on the absurdity and elegance of the ""Great American Road Trip"" and a celebration of the man who steered mine. Ride ""shotgun"" on a celebration of the open road that will resonate with all who remember fondly the poignant, tragic, poetic, wondrous, and often ridiculous elements that comprise the ""Great American Family Road Trip."" Only months after his father's death, Randy Young is hitting the open road with nothing but his father's urn and ashes and his cherished memories for company. Through stories from friends and family along the way and a few detours through recollections of classic family road trips, he seeks to reclaim an image of his dad unfettered by the dementia that had plagued him for years, and thus, happens upon a transcendent healing. En route, the author invites us to meditate on ""The Great Abyss,"" lucky birds, bad omens, and time travel, and to ponder 360° turns, life, death, pierogies, and the efficacy of portable urinals. Rediscover a time when we were all regaled with ghost stories, jokes, or family histories by the glow of dashboard lights, when the ultimate sense of security was curling up and sleeping in the backseat on a long ride home. Come along for the ride. The destination may be uncertain, but the journey is joyous.

Full Product Details

9781890586768

Table of Contents

Reviews

"A beautiful story that touches the heart and has you watching for the stars And the Stars Flew with us is a touching and humorous memoir that transports the reader into the past while keeping the present in full view. Although the author, Randy B. Young, shares his final journey with his beloved Dad metaphorically and physically, his words bring forth a deep nostalgia and longing to relive and remember the past. This book not only left a mark on my heart for the longing I feel for my dad, but it also led me to re-create my own little road trip to a past I hadn't visited in a very long time. I have a new appreciation for my own rear-view mirror and the opportunities that lie ahead on the open road. The ""Out and Back"" mantra guides the reader through the landmarks of the author's father's life and openly shares Randy's thoughtful and, at times, painful moments on the leg of that journey. It is definitely worth the read, and I highly recommend this book! -- Judith A. Cosby, Author, Threads, Spirit Threads: Messages of hope and healing An Excellent Read! The Author takes us on a page-turning journey, with a thoughtful and personal perspective of the open road. Finding both his father's roots and his memories of past travels, Mr. Young evokes a witty storytelling pace that brings the reader along for the ride. As someone who traveled with my family in our 1966 Buick Sportwagon, I readily identified with the roads and scenic pilgrimages of this story. The writing style is a cross between Frank DeFord and Mitch Albom, with a nice blend of humor and self-awareness. I highly recommend this book. It provided emotions of dealing with the passing of a loving father - and the passage of time that is so precious. -- Maj. (Ret) Kurt J. Neufang Great read for boomers and all A touching set of stories that many of us can connect with, centered around past road trip, family and friends. A short book that will have you thinking back (and maybe even ahead) regarding family life events. Highly recommended. -- Rob Thomas Best Tribute This book is a beautiful heartfelt tribute to beloved parents. I'm currently going through the trauma and heartbreak of caring for elderly parents whose bodies and minds are failing, and I found this book very comforting to see how others have struggled and chosen to honor their memories. I will soon be embarking on a similar journey to lay the ashes of my parents in their special places, and this book provides me with the strength and courage to move forward. -- Chaz Blackmore"

Author Information

A graduate of Dartmouth College, Randy B. Young first worked as an award-winning advertising copywriter in New Hampshire. After migrating south, he worked in communications for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC), but he concurrently maintained an award-winning newspaper feature for 20 years and regularly wrote for regional lifestyle and sports publications. This is his first book.After retiring from UNC, Randy has continued to write, focusing on social commentary, often ironical and always seasoned with humor. He calls Chapel Hill, North Carolina home, though he admits that he ""vacationed in New England for a few decades."" A self-described ""child of I-95"" and a lover of travel, the road has informed so many of his fond and formative memories of family as well as his writing.Randy remains active, coaching high school track and field, teaching, and promoting a photography business. He married Kelly Maddry Young in 1992. Their daughter Alexa went to Emory University in Atlanta, earned her master's degree in public health from UNC, and lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their son Harrison graduated from UNC and is pursuing a career in medicine at Yale University. Both children currently live a few miles from Chapel Hill, but that's just another excuse for Randy, Kelly, and their lovable dog Jasper (a mix of ""something spaniel"" and Forrest Gump) to jump on I-40 or I-95 and visit.

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