Jul 01 2008
Travels with Charley
One of the first travel books I remember making an impression on me was Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. He traveled around the United States with his standard poodle, Charley to re-discover the America he had made his living writing about. Charley served as an entry into people’s lives. It was a way to connect with others and find common ground.
Steinbeck traveled more than 10,000 with his dog. He was somewhat disillusioned with the United States as he saw it in 1960, but he did what so many others have only dreamed about–took to the road, followed his whims, talked to people whose paths he crossed and did it with an open mind.
Charley, the poodle, was born in France and only responded to commands in French. He died at 11 years and is buried on the Steinbeck estate in Monterey, California.
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