Don’t just read Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour…Experience it.
I read Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson while I was on a family vacation. It wasn’t a road trip, per say, but it was a long car ride, so I made a point to seek out books about other travelers. A happy coincidence was that my destination ended up being a stop on Amy and Roger’s itinerary, but perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself.
Here we go: All Amy wants is to stay put. But her mom sold the house she grew up in, and because Amy is currently not driving (under any circumstances for reasons unknown to the reader) her mother has arranged for the son of an old family friend—who she doesn’t even remember—to drive her from California to her new home in Connecticut. When Roger shows up, Amy isn’t thrilled to hit the road. However, when he suggests that the trip could be more fun if they picked the stops instead of following her mother’s itinerary, it becomes clear that Amy isn’t the only one with baggage that can’t be ignored.
As I read about Amy and Roger’s detour, I was nearly giddy to discover that one of their destinations was the same as mine: Colorado Springs. Turns out Roger attended Colorado College, which is located in Colorado Springs. So, as I played tourist in the area, it was fun to think about what it would have been like to be a college student there. Meanwhile, I got to hike at Garden of the Gods, visit an old west Ghost Town, check out some Cliff Dwellings, explore North Cheyenne Canon Park, take a train up Pikes Peak, and ultimately make a detour of my own to Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience.
I think Amy would have been proud of how much I packed into my handful of days. And she’d be even happier that I tried In-N-Out Burger—animal style, of course—since it was a burger chain she was not happy about leaving behind. I can see why. Not only was it delicious, it was a good value, and the employees were incredibly friendly.
It was nice to have some time to make memories with my family away from home. It was a good reminder of all the things I have to be thankful for in my daily life, because when the trip wrapped, I was so ready to just be home. Sure, my trip may not have been as ultimately life altering as Amy’s, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Why was Amy’s trip life altering, you ask. I suppose you’ll have to read to find out!
There you have it. Do yourself a favor and read Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour. As you read Amy’s story, consider what detours you could make during what’s left of your summer. Even if you’re not taking a road trip, maybe there’s a local treasure waiting to be found.
If you haven’t already read Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour, what are you waiting for? If you already have, why not pick it up again? Either way, take my advice when you do—don’t just read it, experience it!
Want information about purchasing this book from Neighborhood Reads, a local Washington, MO book store? Click the book cover above!
Anna LaForest Writes 
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