Kendzior is one if the most earnest and heartfelt writers I've ever read. She writes about Missouri, being an American, her travels and her family and weaves in politics so skillfully I promise you might not realise - or at least won't mind.

I almost went through and listed all the destinations and tourist attractions, because I want to see all of them, but there are many and that isn't a review. I did especially enjoy descriptions of the tourist traps on Route 66, the accidental cult site encounter, the ghost story, and if course all the Western deserts, parks and arches.

The most inspiring thing throughout the book - and a value I hold dear - is to be open to experiences. And open to people too, though that can be a challenge for this introvert. As with our country, we should be so with people - open to the beauty or quirkiness and honest about the flaws through history.

* I received this book as an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway. I chose to write an honest review, though it isn't required.