Compulsively Aimless

Given the time, I would roam every back road of the America.  In planning for that day, I collected some references guides to take with me.  Here's a short list.   1.  A Field Guide to America's History, Douglass L. Brownstone (1984).   A reference guide showing where to look at the land to find man-made footprints across America complete with a glossary and bibliography.  Bought used at BJ's Books, Warrenton, VA 2.  The Lost Towns & Roads of America: A Journey Revealing Early America Still Here Today, J.R. Humphreys (1961).  Humphries set out from the Atlantic Highlands of New Jersey westward across the country to following Indian and pioneer trails through the midwest and southwest all the way to Spanish settlements along the California coast.    Map of journey on inside boards.  Extensive black and white photos.  Bought used somewhere. 3.  America's Architectural Roots: Ethnic Groups that Built Amer...

William Least Heat Moon perfected a genre of the wandering traveler.  He called what he did ambling or moseying.   It's never the destination, always the journey.  1.  Blue Highways: A Journe y into America, William Least Heat-Moon (1982).   Least Heat Moon lost his teaching job in a college and outfitted his Ford van with a cot and a few supplies and began wandering America's back roads--marked as blue highways on maps.   He has an eye for getting strangers to talk and telling their stories.   The result is a magnificent, intimate tour of America.   Along with Paul Theroux, deeply influential my fascination with good travel writing.  Bought used at a Church book sale.   2.   Roads to Quoz: American Mosey, William Least Heat-Moon (2008).   Similar to Blue Highways but broader in scope.  Least Heat-Moon covers 16,000 miles to all the regions of the country with poetic insights and a sense of humor. ...