In January 2003, after two terms as Governor of the State of Maine, Angus King hit the road. Packing his wife and children into a Newmar Dutch Star RV, he set out on a five-and-a-half-month journey to circumnavigate the United States. Governor's Travels is the story of that adventure, describing the places they went and the people they met along the way. Interspersed with the travelogue, Governor King reflects on the transition from public office to private life and includes helpful information about selecting the right RV, a daily pre-drive checklist, and tips for handling a vehicle that large on the road.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bonnie Neely
Format:Paperback
Governor's Travels by Angus King is a delightful travelogue by the former governor of Maine who packed his family into their RV and drove to many points of interest all over the USA. I loved the way this book is presented, like a scrapbook of personal memoirs with photos which look like family snapshots. Since I am an RVer and a travel writer, this book really captured me. I have visited many of the places his family enjoyed and loved the way he describes their experiences and the beauty and wonders of our country. It is a delightful book!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Ria Biley
Format:Paperback
Way back in the Dark Ages of the last decade, before the word "blog" meant hardly anything to hardly anybody, Maine's former governor Angus King and his family embarked on an odyssey to discover America, from the driver's seat of a 40-foot RV. The public was invited along for the ride-through 33 states and 15,000 miles-via the a blog named "Where's Molly?"
DownEast Books has just published the governor's memoir of that 6-month excursion: "Governor's Travels:How I Left Politics, Learned to Back Up a Bus, and Found America."
"It's part travelogue, part executive transition manual, and mostly a celebration of family and the fun of seeing our fabulous country," King said on his Facebook page. Fortunately, his way with the written word is just as engaging as his way with a live audience. Turns out he's a pretty decent photographer, as well.
To begin with, the book's design resembles a scrapbook, lavishly illustrated with over 300 color photographs: about half are typical "family vacation snapshots," but the scenic landscapes are breathtaking in their detail and reproduced here in excellent quality. You really get a sense of "being there" as the governor describes his family's experiences in each locale.
January 9, 2003, exactly one day after Governor King leaves office: the adventure begins. The RV has been purchased, test-driven to warmer climes to avoid having to leave New England in potentially hazardous driving weather, and awaits the family in Virginia. The route was planned, but there was no set itinerary.
Only the departure and return dates were pre-determined, so the King children (Ben, then 12, and Molly, then 9) could be back in school with their friends before their term ended in June. The rest was pure seat-of-the-pants exploration, and readers are afforded the "shotgun" seat view.
Remember, just a few years ago, there was no such thing as GPS or wireless anything. Updates to the website were usually made at campgrounds via dial-up connection; the governor's wife, Mary Herman, served as navigator, armed with a 10-pound campground directory and stacks of travel brochures.
Governor King manages to narrate the entire journey-from the family dooryard in Brunswick, Maine to Virginia to Florida, across the south through New Orleans to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona; from San Diego north through California to Washington state, and back home to Maine along the northern route-with the same personable style and wit (plus a few political asides) that he always delivered when appearing anywhere as a keynote speaker.
Along the way, we learn the governor's reflections on his transition from public life, and on gaining perspective ("[It] won't change your situation, but it can deepen your understanding-and can often suggest solutions. And changing your vantage point-such as by getting out on the road-is what gaining perspective is all about.").
If you've ever had the yearning for a cross-country journey, there are plenty of practical tips for the first time RVer, too. Words to the Wise: Always remember to disengage the sewer hook-up before attempting to leave the campground. Enough said.
This book is not merely a travelogue, but a personal journal of a public family's long-awaited private time together; there is poignancy, there is a sense of discovery, there is a great deal of humor.
Climb aboard and fasten your seat belts; you're going to enjoy this ride.
(Portions previously published in the Lincoln County News, Sept. 27, 1011)
DownEast Books has just published the governor's memoir of that 6-month excursion: "Governor's Travels:How I Left Politics, Learned to Back Up a Bus, and Found America."
"It's part travelogue, part executive transition manual, and mostly a celebration of family and the fun of seeing our fabulous country," King said on his Facebook page. Fortunately, his way with the written word is just as engaging as his way with a live audience. Turns out he's a pretty decent photographer, as well.
To begin with, the book's design resembles a scrapbook, lavishly illustrated with over 300 color photographs: about half are typical "family vacation snapshots," but the scenic landscapes are breathtaking in their detail and reproduced here in excellent quality. You really get a sense of "being there" as the governor describes his family's experiences in each locale.
January 9, 2003, exactly one day after Governor King leaves office: the adventure begins. The RV has been purchased, test-driven to warmer climes to avoid having to leave New England in potentially hazardous driving weather, and awaits the family in Virginia. The route was planned, but there was no set itinerary.
Only the departure and return dates were pre-determined, so the King children (Ben, then 12, and Molly, then 9) could be back in school with their friends before their term ended in June. The rest was pure seat-of-the-pants exploration, and readers are afforded the "shotgun" seat view.
Remember, just a few years ago, there was no such thing as GPS or wireless anything. Updates to the website were usually made at campgrounds via dial-up connection; the governor's wife, Mary Herman, served as navigator, armed with a 10-pound campground directory and stacks of travel brochures.
Governor King manages to narrate the entire journey-from the family dooryard in Brunswick, Maine to Virginia to Florida, across the south through New Orleans to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona; from San Diego north through California to Washington state, and back home to Maine along the northern route-with the same personable style and wit (plus a few political asides) that he always delivered when appearing anywhere as a keynote speaker.
Along the way, we learn the governor's reflections on his transition from public life, and on gaining perspective ("[It] won't change your situation, but it can deepen your understanding-and can often suggest solutions. And changing your vantage point-such as by getting out on the road-is what gaining perspective is all about.").
If you've ever had the yearning for a cross-country journey, there are plenty of practical tips for the first time RVer, too. Words to the Wise: Always remember to disengage the sewer hook-up before attempting to leave the campground. Enough said.
This book is not merely a travelogue, but a personal journal of a public family's long-awaited private time together; there is poignancy, there is a sense of discovery, there is a great deal of humor.
Climb aboard and fasten your seat belts; you're going to enjoy this ride.
(Portions previously published in the Lincoln County News, Sept. 27, 1011)
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's kind of nice to have an inside look at the Governor's life after his 8 years were over.
I gave this book to my mother in law and she loved it, now I'm reading it. Angus King has a great sense of humor.
I gave this book to my mother in law and she loved it, now I'm reading it. Angus King has a great sense of humor.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a gift
I bought this as a gift for my daughter who has also travel accross the country. She wanted to compare her travels with King's and the places they saw. She loved it.
Published 3 months ago by Brent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
This was just what I was looking for. Great shape for a used book. Just as described. Shipped ASAP. Thanks
Published 5 months ago by Jeannine S. Pelletier
1.0 out of 5 stars
Awful
Absolutely awful. Don't waste your time or money. The author is a self-important windbag. There are many good books out there. This one is a boring windbag book.
Published 10 months ago by Janmarie Toker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Breezy Travel Tale From Ex Gov.
Angus King seems like a pleasant and convivial fellow who would get along with just about anyone - good skills for a man who was a two term Governor of Maine. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Wayne A. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
very informative
Such an informative book on traveling in a motorhome cross country! and from a local prospective. For my husband and I, we are planning to retire and travel in a motorhome so it is... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Deborah J. Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Hum of the Tires
Former Governor Angus King's travelogue channels a bit of the journey spirit of Steinbeck and Muir. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Steve Moro
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