Travels with a Road Dog

Travels with a Road Dog
Hitchhiking Along the Roads of the Americas
R. K.
Create Space Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 978-1-4783-4846-7
2012
364 pages
$ 19.95

"...I had decided my own future."

What do you do after you flunk out of college? Some people get a job, some join
the military, some move back home to continue to live as children, and then
there are the few who are daring enough to take to the road. For a young woman, the idea of hitchhiking can be threatening, but with a little luck and learning who to trust, what a thrilling way to find out about themselves and to learn some life lessons while becoming what is known to hitchhikers as a "road dog".

R.K. decided that she wanted to see the country. With few financial resources,
she departed from her mother's home for a life of possibilities, deciding to
hitchhike along the way.

One of her first rides was with an old man who was drinking. After being
rescued by the police, she made the decision early on to never ride again with
someone who was drinking.

She quickly discovered the world of the Rainbow Gatherings around the country.
Either walking, riding with acquaintances, or hitchhiking she found a way of
life that perfectly matched her current ideals. This communal gathering excited her with the gypsy lifestyle at first, taught her much, and allowed her to discover certain qualities in herself and others. Along the way she met many generous people and managed to travel with two extraordinary dogs for companionship and protection.

This book is her memory of particular events and places she experienced through
her naive and adventurous eyes. While looking for safety, shelter, and
companionship, this young woman also discovers much about herself relying on her
personal instincts. The lessons learned as solutions to particular problems changed her life especially in the area of natural medicine. Traveling without much money but literally by her wits, she finds that there are numerous ways around the bureaucracy of passports and visas. Also, learning about people, problems, and trust makes Travels with a Road Dog an educational, but enlightening read through an unusual perspective.

Most of the names of the characters were changed. However, there was one place
where the changed name was confused with the real name, making the recounted
memory a little confusing for this one episode. For the most part, the book was well edited and especially well-organized. The strength of the writing was definitely the author's passion with her choices at this particular time in her life.

This account was wonderful in experiencing another lifestyle through someone
else. Her experiences and problems are informative and uplifting with her
solutions and sometimes, learning with her from the failures. Travels with a Road Dog is the true account and lessons learned from a young woman while discovering more about other people, places, and most importantly, about herself.