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"This book was written in the sixties but was still a good read. Besides enjoying the humor, it was interesting reading about places that no longer exist, or have been improved (like the Al-Can highway), realizing some things he bemoaned the loss of have since been restored (like the Cassville Ferry and the sloop Constitution) and that other things (like some hotels) haven't changed at all."

Irish Gal

How Many Miles to Galena
or Baked, Hashed Brown or French Fried

Richard Bissell

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Be prepared to laugh and guffaw and hold your sides and, perhaps, depending on your age, reminisce a bit as you ride along with Richard Bissell as he recounts a number of memorable journeys with his wife and children (and the family dog) by car, plane, train, boat, and Alaskan ferry across the North American continent. Packed with an amazing collection - lists and bits and quotations - of travel lore, unforgettable characters, restaurants, old hotels, insights, and humorous commentary, you might wish you could turn back the clock and see the U.S.A. and Canada of yesteryear for yourself. Would you believe that TWA baked their own bread in flight? Get out!

Although the journey begins with a trip from South Norwalk, Connecticut to Kamloops - a suggestion from Richard's wife when he is itching to hit the road again ( "KAMLOOPS?" I scream. "WOW!" and I rush off to pack my bags, which I have just finished unpacking. "Round up the kids!" I holler. "Where's the map book? Where's the snakebite kit? Where is my bowie knife? Where is Kamloops?" ), the road meanders to a host of destinations including Dubuque, Iowa, Mount Rushmore(don't wear hair curlers), Yellowstone, Wyoming, Montana, the Alcan Highway and later Maine, Mount Snow, Vermont, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Saint Louis, Chicago, Las Vegas and finally Galena, the county seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, to sleep where Lincoln once slept.

Kick back and enjoy. More than half the fun is in getting there? How true. How delightfully true.

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