Travels with Bobby: Hiking in the Mountains of the American West
Brooks and his best friend, Bobby Ariatti, live in the flatlands but love the mountains. They have explored the outdoors together for more than two decades, taking annual hiking trips to the mountains of the American West. Travels with Bobby is the story of their first six trips. Their travels began in Yosemite National Park in California. In the years that followed, they hiked and camped in Glacier National Park in Montana, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, Glacier Peak Wilderness in Washington, the Wind River Range in Wyoming, and again in Glacier National Park.
On the first night of their first trip they were attacked in their tent in the middle of the night by . . . a sprinkler system. On another trip Bobby fell while hiking in the snow, split open his head, and was sewed up on a picnic table with only Scotch for anesthesia. On a third a free-range cow attacked their rental car. Along the way Brooks and Bobby made new friends, viewed wildlife and waterfalls, and enjoyed campfires as they experienced some of the most beautiful scenery in America. Retrace their steps and relive their adventures in Travels with Bobby.
Praise for Travels with Bobby:
“Campfires and camaraderie. Mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Wilderness and grizzlies. Precious weeks of freedom that burn like jewels hewn from humdrum ‘normal’ life. . . . And, of course, Brooks and Bobby. This is a book that conjures up all of the above and more. I want to fly to America, hire an RV, and see all the places Brooks and Bobby have seen, hike the trails they've hiked, smell the cold winter air and feel the warmth of the summer sun. I want to hear the crackle of the campfire and the laughter of those who built it. I don't even mind, in theory, trudging through the rain once in a while. At the end of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the children were led through a mountainside cavern into a magical land. Does Travels with Bobby describe what they found on the other side?”
“This is a great book, for hikers and non-hikers (but non-hikers might become hikers after reading it). Brooks Eason provides a great combination of facts about the actual hikes and locations, history about the great American West, and a huge dose of storytelling that will leave you with a smile on your face as you read one story after another. It was hard to put down in each of my reading sessions. I haven't read a book as entertaining as Travels with Bobby in a long time, and I hope Brooks Eason continues his craft.”
“One of the best non-fiction books I have read in years. If you like the great outdoors, like to hike or camp, like funny stories, or just like a well-written book, this one is for you. . . . But this is not just a travel book. It is hilariously funny in parts, and I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times. Do yourself, a family member, or a friend a favor and buy this book today. You won't regret it.”
“This is a great read. Funny, informative, entertaining . . . . By the time the reader finishes this book, there is no doubt that a trip to one of the Western National Parks will be high on the reader's bucket list. This is a good gift for any person who loves nature and the outdoors.”
“I absolutely loved going on adventures with Bobby, Brooks, and friends. What a fantastic tribute to our national parks and this beautiful part of the country. . . . Great book, highly recommend.”
“Eason eloquently portrays the wilderness and all its wonders as he writes of the joy derived from experiencing it all with his best friend, Bobby. As I read along, I wanted to be part of their experience. I wanted to sit by their campfires and listen to their stories. I wanted to be scared of grizzlies with them and sing with gusto along with Eason as he shooed the bears away with his a cappella singing. . . . The author has penned a book of travels that is funny at times and touching at others, but at all times is marked by a great friendship and, above all, a tremendous love and appreciation for an extraordinary man who taught him to love and experience the great outdoors, his father. This is a good read; I did not want it to end. Hopefully Eason has just begun to write.”
“Travels with Bobby was a page-turner. The author's wit intertwined with great storytelling combined to keep me wanting to come back for more. If you love the outdoors, the West, and humorous stories, you'll really enjoy this book.”
“At the end of the book one cannot help but be a bit wistful, longing to leave the workaday world behind, longing to explore our beautiful country, and wishing for a friend like Bobby and another book by Brooks Eason.”
“I loved this book.”