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

I've always had a secret desire to rent a bus/RV and take off across the US and Canada, stopping whenever we see something that looks interesting, staying until we've seen whatever looks interesting. The hubster on the other hand, does not relish the thought of battling traffic in a big box, towing another vehicle and spending all his time hooking up, unhooking, and watching his dollars going down the gas tank drain. So when I saw this book on the e-book deal of the week, I knew this vicarious trip would probably be the closest I ever got to this adventure, and hit "buy."

I could totally relate to some of Ms. Orion's travel aversions, but her sense of humor shines through, and although she bills herself as a "princess", her willingness show more to compromise and follow her husband's suggestions shows us the fun that can be had when two people with a strong marriage embark on a new phase of life together. It's not only a travelogue, but the story of personal growth, and the continued expansion of a very strong love relationship. Altogether a fun read. show less

When Doreen Orion wrote, on yoga, "What was the point of putting that much effort into doing something, just to think about nothing, when I was already so adept at thinking about nothing without making any effort at all?", I knew she was my kind of person. (I've tried yoga. I like the stretching. I don't like the premise. Like Doreen, the only way I can handle exercise is if I've got lots of things to distract me while I'm doing it.)

"Queen of the Road" is a book about a married couple who takes a year to travel the country in a retro-converted bus, with a dog and two cats. So it's a travel diary, in a way. But it felt more like a nice long talk with an old friend, the kind you don't get to see very often but is actually one of your show more favorite people in the world.

This "true tale of 47 states" was, there is no other word for it, a delight to read. From the first page to the last, Doreen's self-deprecating wit and humor, her honesty, and her dry sense of the absurd formed, for me, an instant bond between author and reader. I laughed out loud, not once, not a few times, but at least once a chapter, at something she'd said -- and not because the book is so outrageously funny, but because, as with the yoga quote above, I knew *exactly* what she meant and felt *exactly* the same way. And while some of that may be because we have a few preferences in common, I think it's mostly because Doreen is so honest, and says, in this book, exactly what she was thinking -- and what so many of us would as well in the same situation.

The writing is excellent and engaging, and the book was, unfortunately, a quick read; I was sorry when it was over, though the story comes to a natural end when Doreen and Tim's journey is over. The author's web site, www.doreenorion.com, has videos from her travels and her blog, which is well worth checking out. show less

Doreen Orion, a psychiatrist, was happy with her life in Boulder, CO. A self-proclaimed Long Island Princess, she was content with not only working from home but from the comfort of her own bed, collecting massive amounts of shoes and designer clothing, and bingeing on reality TV. Then her husband Tim (Not so secret identity: Project Nerd for his propensity to attempt everything from household repairs to vehicle maintenance on his own), also a psychiatrist, decided to follow his dream of touring the U.S. on a converted bus. Disarmed by her husband's cunning (she still doesn't quite know how she was persuaded to do something she wouldn't consider doing in a "million years") Orion agrees to the plan and finds herself attempting to cram show more all the trappings of her old life onto a bus for a year long jaunt about the country. Orion's tale of traversing the country in the bus with her husband, pets (two cats, one poodle), and one hundred pairs of shoes is laugh out loud funny, informative, and even a bit enlightening about what the true makings of the "good life" are.

Each chapter is headed up with a different martini recipe useful for laughs and self-medicating for any bus phobia that may arise. From Florida to Alaska, Orion chronicles their adventure including details of their many destinations from the tasty to the kitschy to the downright scenic. Hilarity ensues as the bus malfunctions, hikes complete with frightening birds and bugs are attempted, and appropriate nudist RV park behavior is contemplated. Orion brings her wit to the best and worst of situations.

Best of all, though, is the bigger journey Orion ends up taking as she shuffles off her old life of couch potato materialism in favor of getting out and living life instead of watching it on TV. Watching Orion progress from someone whose stuff seems to own her to someone who begins to see that there is much more to life than things as she embraces the experiences the trip has to offer her is a rewarding experience and worthwile lesson that we can all stand to learn and relearn again. For Doreen and Tim, the trip turns out to be life-changing as their priorities are rearranged to accomodate the friendships they'd been missing out on, the simple joy of getting up in the morning excited about what the day has to offer, and the quality time together that enriches their relationship.

The chapter about their trip to Tim's father's house in rural Arkansas is especially hilarious. Also very nifty... Orion includes a list (with comments!) of many of their destinations complete with website addresses and contact information to help in your own vacationing as well as a list of the books she enjoyed while on the trip and beyond. What book lover couldn't love that?

Overall - a great read that might well have you planning a road trip and maybe even considering re-arranging a few your own misguided priorities. show less

My entire book club loved this book. It was so refreshing to get a glimpse into a good, solid relationship for once. We read favorite lines to each other during our meeting and laughed out loud all over again. But, in addition to all the humor, we learned a lot about little known, fascinating places in the US. It was also nice to see the growth everyone on the bus experienced. All of this led to one of the best discussions we ever had. All in all, a highly enjoyable read.

To the previous reviewer: Wow. Jealous much? It's not like these are independently wealthly people. She explains he grew up poor, she middle class. I'm a doctor and can attest to the years of grinding, hard work we have to put in. This couple is living the American show more dream: live well through hard work and dedication. And, she's not asking anyone to feel her "pain." She makes fun of herself throughout the book and that's part of the hilarity. Too bad you don't have a sense of humor. show less

My husband sometimes speaks of how "someday" when we're older, we can set off across America and Canada in an RV and explore. Visit every state, take pictures, live the life of the road.

Therefore, it seems appropriate to read Queen of the Road, which on the cover describes itself as "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." Doreen and her husband Tim are psychiatrists, though of very different personalities. Doreen describes herself as a Long Island princess, content to stay in bed and work via laptop, obsessed with her collection of designer shoes. So when Tim suggests they customize a bus and take off on a cross-country adventure for a year, Doreen is stunned show more that she agrees. Setting off from Boulder, Colorado, they take a wide loop to see Mount Rushmore, the headwaters of the Mississippi, the eastern seaboard, spend the holidays in Florida, witness an armed robbery in Tucson, and then head north again for the grand climax of their trip: Alaska.

In all, it's a fascinating trip. I've been to a few areas they describe, but a lot of the places were new to me. Doreen's voice rings through, witty and clear. Sometimes it's almost annoying at the beginning because she comes across as so shallow--bring along 200 shoes on a road trip? Really? But as they travel, she matures and realizes there is a life beyond her house. Her relationship with Tim is fantastic. They balance each other in so many ways.

It's a memoir, it's a travelogue, it's a love story. I don't think Queen of the Road will rate as a favorite read for the year, but it offered fun ideas on what may be a "someday" trip I experience for myself. show less

Okay, how could you not want to pick up this new title from Broadway Books ??? The cover and subtitle grabbed me, but I was captivated in the first 10 pages of this travel memoir from Doreen Orion.

Both Orion and her husband Tim Justice are practicing psychiatrists. Tim is still seeing patients in an office setting while Doreen consults from home for insurance companies etc. Tim is a busy guy, always with a project on the go. He enjoys the outdoors as well. On the other hand, Doreen is more than happy to stay in her pajamas, work from home, watch television and never leave the house. Her record is 118 hours in without stepping a foot outside. Two seemingly polar opposites.

Without quite knowing how it happened, Doreen agrees to Tim's show more dream - to travel across America in a bus for a year. That's right - a bus. But what a bus it is! (Take note that their bus ends up being the September centerfold for Bus Conversions magazine.)

Orion is an extremely funny woman. I was laughing out loud right from the beginning and wondered if she could keep it up throughout the book.....she did.

After an initial 3 week test run, they set out. Not everything goes quite to plan - the bus has some issues and so does Doreen - she's terrified of the bus.

With a fantastic sense of humour, Orion describes the trip, her relationship with Tim, the people they meet and the situations they find themselves in.

Just a few weeks into the trip they notice a shift in their outlooks and attitudes.

"Getting to the top of the bell tower reaffirmed for me that Tim and I were making new choices about how to live our lives and whether it was finding time for that climb or putting our careers on hold, we were doing things differently that we had in the past, giving us hope that the lessons learned on the road about what was truly valuable might just stick".

And this is really the essence of the book. How do you want to live your life and what is really important? As we follow Tim and Doreen's travels, you start to look at your own life and wonder what you could do a little bit differently.

It's also a love story. They are together 24/7 for a year. Although they already have a good marriage, they rediscover each other on the road.

Fascinating as well is the ongoing travelogue. The places they visit are detailed, and an appendix gives web addresses for many of the places.

I love a good travel memoir and this was one of the best I've read. This would be a great selection for a book club. There is a thoughtful list of discussion questions to get you started at the end. ( Oh - and a cocktail recipe at the beginning of every chapter!) As well, Orion will attend your book group - either in person or by speakerphone.

The idea of a boat trip was bandied about at the end of the book. Sounds like a great idea Doreen and Tim - can't wait to hear what adventure you embark on next! You can always follow along at Doreen's blog. show less

This book made me cry bitter tears of envy about people who can pay so much for Blue Bahia marble countertops for their recreational vehicle.

When I think about living in a bus, it is my emergency backup plan. Because being vehicularly housed is better than homeless. Therefore my favorite character in this book was the woman at the Wal Mart parking lot quietly saying it would be ok to park for the night. The author didn't seem to realize she'd been given a kindness from someone living the bus life for real.

Funniest thing about the book to me: the author's picture. After all the tedious and repetitious declamations of privilege telling all that "I Am A Princess," I expected this woman to look like a Botoxed Hollywood trophy wife. I saw show more her picture and thought, why does the Pampered Princess look like an athletic Berkeley dyke? At least I got a laugh. show less