Geography of Hearts: A Honeymoon Bicycle Crossing of America by Jim Crawford

In Geography of Hearts, Jim Crawford records his observations and experiences as he and new wife, Cathy, trek across the U.S. on bicycles, camping gear and supplies packed in panniers. The mission of their 1996 honeymoon excursion is to travel at a leisurely pace, allowing the wonder of this country to authentically reveal itself. Fast-forward twenty-six years. Jim and Cathy retrace their route in a 2014 Prius, accompanied by their 12-year-old Airedoodle, Jetta. This time, Jim journals on his reflections and comparisons between the two trips. While revealing the vast countryside and introducing the reader to people they meet along the way, Geography of Hearts is more than a narrative about bicycling. It captures a spiritual essence of acknowledging and succumbing to the beauty of each day's here-and-now. It speaks to a couple's love of life, each other, and the country they encounter. It is their snapshot of America, as they mark milestones, joy, conflicts, and epiphanies along their journey.