Customer Reviews

Around the States in 90 Days

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"What? No Tea?" Britons Discover Route 66 has Almost Everything
Reviewed by Janet Walker
Following the in the footsteps of many in Britain who have embarked on a great adventure, Andy Moseley sold his home, reduced his possessions, and used the proceeds to finance a monumental exploration across the ocean in the United States, accompanied by his girlfriend, Liz. "Around the States in 90 Days" tells the funny, adventurous, and thought -provoking story of their experiences as foreigners trying to comprehend the many variances of American culture.
Intrigued by the legendary tales of road trips on Route 66, Moseley determined to retrace the long-ago famous route that had inspired music, books, and wanderlust in so many. In doing so, it was only to be expected that he and Liz would experience as many misadventures as pleasant experiences. But that's life, isn't it?
Beginning in Washington, D.C, the pair quickly learned about crime in the large American cities - don't venture out after dark in areas you're not familiar with - which, come to think of it, is good advice for any big city in the world.
Moseley's book also rekindles the awe and appreciation of the innumerable geographic wonders we have here in our country that many of us have come to take for granted. His description of spending his birthday discovering the Grand Canyon reminds the reader of the awe the pioneers must have felt upon first seeing this breathtaking sight. Some of the best passages in Moseley's book have to do with the local people he and Liz meet along the way, and the cultural differences that crop up to oftentimes hilarious result.
Finding themselves in even the tiniest Midwestern town, the pair manage to find the bright side and take something away from the experience. When Route 66 disappears, they gamely take the nearest interstate until they can regain the historic route. The food and drink of the locales they visit are evaluated, and the book is a good reference if you are planning on visiting the cities where the road took them, including Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and traveling westward, Springfield, Ill., St. Louis, Nashville, Dallas, Durango, Colorado, Sedona, Arizona, and Las Vegas. You are also apprised of where not to stay, eat, or have a drink. This advice can be most valuable when, in today's economy, travel dollars must be spent wisely.
After negotiating the Midwest, and Southwest, it is on to California. As many have before them, the couple find that Hollywood is somewhat less than what they expected, but are pleasantly surprised by the charm of Redondo Beach. I had to remind myself, as a former resident of Orange County, that they found themselves in Redondo Beach because they were following Route 66! Orange County has some of the most beautiful stretches of beach, and the drive down the coast toward San Diego follows the coast. However, it's not Route 66.
Moseley has included historical references, often filling in why a certain town has its name, or how local traditions began. I was particularly intrigued of his story about the boy who accidentally went over Niagara Falls and survived. The author has a genuine interest in America, and it was a pleasure to amble along with him through the book as he described our country time and again as a great place. Two cities he said he would gladly live in: Chicago and Redondo Beach. And, of course the couple did find some delightful tea - but much preferred the amazing wine-tasting sessions in the Napa Valley.
It's interesting to note that the author was so taken with our cultural history, that he has subsequently written two plays, one set in Nashville, Tennessee, dealing with the legend of Elvis, and the other dealing with the legendary Kurt Cobain.