I am an eighth-grade English teacher and writer in Los Angeles. In 2003 I purchased one of the first Honda Elements on the market, an EX four wheel drive. Since then I have traveled the country each summer experiencing the roadways, people, and national wonders of our continent. This book I have published has been well received by Element owners, travelers, and nature enthusiasts. Check the attachment for a picture and more information. This book is available through iuniverse.com, amazon.com, barnsandnoble.com, and booksamillion.com.

Congratulations on your book Mr. Taylor. Perhaps you'd care to continue your adventure at Yellowstone with a passle of awesome Elements in August?

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44369&page=2

Ric

making money on an "E" experience --------------PRICELESS

Awesome! That looks like a must-read for me! Are you familiar with Steinbeck's Travels with Charley: An American Perspective? I read that book when it first came out in the 60's, so I guess it was when I was sixteen, the year that I graduated from high school.

In fact, I'm now retiring at the end of August, which is a big part of why I bought my E ... so that I could do that type of journey, at least in small doses. I bought my E in June '03, and in December '03, I did a trial run and set out on a similar journey alone. I drove from Dallas and headed to Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon, and on to Santa Monica. I drove the Pacific Coast Highway up to San Francisco, then went on to Reno to spend a few days with my brother. From there I went through Southeastern Nevada, stopping for a night to visit a cousin, then another night to visit my 93 year-old aunt (I hadn't seen either of them in years). On that trip, I slept in the E every night except when I was visiting relatives.

While in Reno, i paid a visit to a lady in the neighborhood where I had grown up. She, like so many others, were so amazed that I would set out on such a long trip by myself. She and I were having a great conversation, when she suddenly stopped and said, "Oh, I get it. When you get hungry, you don't have to make it a big deal to decide where you want to eat." She also was ninety-something. :D

Other friends said, "Didn't you get really lonely?" I said, "No, first of all, I consider myself pretty good company. And wherever I stopped, there was someone there to chat with and learn something from. Also, I had my camera with me, which meant that all my friends were with me in my head. Whenever I took a picture, I would think about the person who would be interested in the subject, and about what I would tell them about the people or the place."

Anyway, this is quite the coincidence. With my retirement on the horizon, I've been very retrospective of late. Just this afternoon at work, I was outside for a smoke break, thinking about my road trips in the near future. And I remembered "Travels with Charley." I made a mental note to see if it is available at Amazon.com, so that I could re-read it. After all these years, about the only specific detail that comes to mind was Steinbeck talking about his preparations, and that he had to put overload springs on his pickup to support the heavy camper top. Apparently, it's time for me to re-read it, especially since this time I'll relate to it, I'll understand it more, and I'll definitely appreciate it more.

I'll be visiting amazon.com tomorrow for sure. Now both books are on my must-read-soon list! Thanks so much for posting. I'll let you know which one I like more, yours or Steinbeck's (kidding).

Here is a link to info about Steinbeck's book as well:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travels_with_Charley:_In_Search_of_America

So Roger ........ is your next mod going to be a calliope?

HC, that's an amazing story about the retirement road trip. Here's why I say that. I am retiring at the beginning of August and my wife and I are planning a cross country road trip, out along the great lakes, up into South Dakota, Wyoming (the Tetons meets will fit into our schedule) and then down the Columbia River gorge, the PCH down to LA, then home via the Grand Canyon, Utah and Grand Junction. Stops all along the way with friends and family.

And in my youth, I read everything that Steinbeck wrote. Travels with Charley was an important influence in taking a similar trip in 1976 with a couple of friends. I've always told my wife about that trip and she always wanted to see the country that way.

I'll be starting a new career in September...not quite ready for real retirement yet.

Roger, I'm buying your book!

HC, that's an amazing story about the retirement road trip. Here's why I say that. I am retiring at the beginning of August and my wife and I are planning a cross country road trip, out along the great lakes, up into South Dakota, Wyoming (the Tetons meets will fit into our schedule) and then down the Columbia River gorge, the PCH down to LA, then home via the Grand Canyon, Utah and Grand Junction. Stops all along the way with friends and family.

And in my youth, I read everything that Steinbeck wrote. Travels with Charley was an important influence in taking a similar trip in 1976 with a couple of friends. I've always told my wife about that trip and she always wanted to see the country that way.

I'll be starting a new career in September...not quite ready for real retirement yet.

Roger, I'm buying your book!

That sounds like an awesome plan. Good luck in your travels. Allow some time for checking out the Black Hills area. I spent a few months there in the Air Force. I have pictures of Mount Rushmore from every conceivable angle, I think.

I've also redone the basic route of my first practice trip, but this time with my sheltie and my best friend, Mary. I had to share the experience with them. Mary and I working on a plan for another adventure. We are now checking mapquest for the route, surfing the net to find campgrounds etc along the route. This time we'll have my wireless laptop, so we are going to make a list of all Starbucks and net cafes in each major city, for net access. Then we can set our own pace, fine tuning the trip along the way.

What I would love to do next is Dallas to Key West. Key West is called the most pet-friendly city in the nation. I've spent a few days in Key West before, but that was via airlines. This time, getting there in the E will be at least half the fun.

Have a safe and fun journey.

HC, that's an amazing story about the retirement road trip. Here's why I say that. I am retiring at the beginning of August and my wife and I are planning a cross country road trip, out along the great lakes, up into South Dakota, Wyoming (the Tetons meets will fit into our schedule) and then down the Columbia River gorge, the PCH down to LA, then home via the Grand Canyon, Utah and Grand Junction. Stops all along the way with friends and family.
.........
I'll be starting a new career in September...not quite ready for real retirement yet.

What??!! Alaska is not in your travel plans??!! :shock::shock::cry::lol:

We just did a similar trip upon my retirement in Sep, returning to AK from GA (of course, in my E). Went north to visit releatives, then across the top of the US, to WA, then the last leg north. Was a great trip....... :)

Good Luck and safe travels!! :cool: