How Can I Be Lost When I Don't Know Where I'm Going : Wandering Across the Continent with Barb Thacker and her dog, Ink [Paperback]

Barb Thacker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1996

The author, traveling with her dog, camped her way across a large part of the United States and Canada.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I recommend this book to all gypsies and wanna-be gypsies. Barb Thacker's tale brings to mind Steinbeck's TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY, except that here the usual greeting isn't about the pedigree of the dog. It is, "Aren't you afraid, a woman traveling alone?" Barb was not afraid, and, sorry, these pages are not filled with evil road warriors or terrifying highway psychopaths. Instead you will get to know a Toyota Chinook named Tessie, several good Samaritans, roadside characters of every variety, a good dog named Ink, and a very plucky woman whose golden-age restlesness compelled her to follow her bliss - down the highway! This is a travel diary of a clear-headed, un-retirable and resourceful woman who would not be held back by our culture's increasing obsession with the kind of fear that discourages us (particularly women) from pursuing our life dreams and enjoying our own company. -- Michell Miller, author of HUNGER IN THE FIRST PERSON SINGULAR

In an account of her odyssey of 12,000 miles around two-thirds of the US plus part of Canada, Barb Thacker not only a descirbes a lot of scenery but also her transition from conventional rut dweller to independence.Driving her Chinook up Independence Pass in Colorado was, in fact, a major landmark in the inward journey, a graduation in attitude from, "What if..." to "If she does brak down, I'll handle it." This charming book moves quickly from one adventure to another describing all the little frustrations and delights of life on the road in a most readable and pleasing way. It's hard to put sown, but here and there you'll want to pause for thought about her insights into what she describes. A perfect book for those who are unsure about traveling alone, fear to plan to live full-time in their vehicle, feel dissatisfied with life in general, or just want a good read. -- RVing Women Magazine

This book shows rut-dwellers and rat-racers how to find freedom, independence and serenity in a way so simple it gets little attention. Guys shouldn't be put off by the benigh feminist slant. The observations are not gender specific. From experience I know that a few weeks of meandering the byways can make a Thoreau-on-wheels. This book is about trading quiet desperation for joyful reflection on beauty in the world and reaffirming first hand that in the boonies, i.e., away from cities, the good guys far outnumber the bad guys. -- Robert Sowell, retired chemist, Sandia Labs

About the Author

Born in Pennsylvania, Thacker came to New Mexico first in 1950 and found she was a westerner at heart. She has lived in many states, but always returns to NM to continue her love affair with this land of enchantment. She is a traveler and writer with two grown sons and a continuing interest in the human species. She now lives in Rio Rancho, NM, when she's not on the road.

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Amador Pub (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938513206
• ISBN-13: 978-0938513209
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,255,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How can I be lost when I don't know where I'm Going?, May 12, 2000

By 

Bev Simen (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Can I Be Lost When I Don't Know Where I'm Going : Wandering Across the Continent with Barb Thacker and her dog, Ink (Paperback)

I thought that this was an excellent book, and I had a hard time putting it down. Ms. Thacker makes you feel as though you are on the journey with her! Lots of wit and humor also. I have also read the sequel, "Blissfully lost in the Baja", and loved every minute of it also. I can't wait for her to come out with another enjoyable book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspriration!, February 14, 2000

By 

Carolyn Jordan (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Can I Be Lost When I Don't Know Where I'm Going : Wandering Across the Continent with Barb Thacker and her dog, Ink (Paperback)

I never thought about buying an RV until I read this book, and now I plan go at RVing full time within the next year. Barb taught me in this entertaining book not to be afraid to try something new. Every woman can follow her example of fun, freedom, and bravery!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recapture your sense of wonder., August 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How Can I Be Lost When I Don't Know Where I'm Going : Wandering Across the Continent with Barb Thacker and her dog, Ink (Paperback)

Barb Thacker has written a life-affirming book with a sense of humor. It certainly makes spending time seeing the world sound like the right choice! Her stories of her dog Ink make the book even better. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I hope Ms. Thacker keeps traveling and keeps writing books.