Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 miles, 200 shoes, 2 cats, 1 poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of Its Own

April 27, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 miles, 200 shoes, 2 cats, 1 poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of Its Own
Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 miles, 200 shoes, 2 cats, 1 poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of Its Own
By Jill Williams

What a great book! It has everything: action, adventure, pets, travel tips, and more. What it is really, though, is a love story. Not a very mushy one, but a beautiful one nonetheless. I cannot say why exactly I loved this book, but it was really a fun way to travel for a year through 47 states without actually being inside a converted bus for that amount of time. The author took a big risk in agreeing to do it for her husband, but what she found out is that no matter where they go, how they get there, or what strange things happen along the way, all that really matters is that they're together. What a beautiful thing.

Doreen Orion is a self-proclaimed Long Island princess. She's a psychiatrist who works from home reviewing insurance claims. It's the perfect job for her because she would rather not get dressed or go outside if she can help it. A shoe aficionado (to say the least), Doreen can think of nothing she'd like LESS than to travel for a year in a converted bus with her husband, two cats, and dog. What was she thinking? She doesn't like to go out, and then she agrees to her husband's dream as long as there's streaming Internet and in-motion satellite TV. She's sold. She can work from the bus, in her pajamas, watching TV, and buying shoes in as many states as possible. This could work, she tells herself. Then she gets on the bus.

Despite being gorgeously outfitted, the bus has some problems. Certain things are not hooked up (including the in-motion satellite TV), and certain other things keep opening when they shouldn't (doors!) Doreen and Tim realize one of the cats has peed on their bed - out of fear. Doreen nearly does the same. Yet this couple of nuts continues on and they find much to love nearly everywhere they go. As they travel, they give tips on things to do, things to avoid, and how to actually ask the right questions at a nudist colony. Doreen's fear of crashing on the bus actually inspires her to create unique drink recipes for nearly every chapter of the book. Try them if you'd like. I'll pass.

Written in a wonderful style that's contemporary and comfortable, this book is easy to read, and you'll find yourself laughing out loud. When someone asks you what's so funny, just tell them to get their own copy, it's too hard to describe the humor of the moment when you've gotten to know the author and her husband and pets. It's too good to miss, if you ask me!