I received a copy of Uphill and Into the Wind in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are, of course, my own.
I’d like to thank RABT Book Tours for including me on this tour.

Title

Uphill and Into the Wind

Author

David Reed has spent a lifetime studying the natural world, from his youth in the woods, his University training, his apprenticeship as a stonemason, and his travels on a bicycle, to his career as an award-winning landscape architect.

A career highlight includes re-designing four major gardens in San Diego’s jewel, Balboa Park.

A visual storyteller, David has guest lectured at the San Diego Museum of Art, Rutgers University, Kansas State University, The New School of Architecture, and other venues. His professional work has been published in Sunset Magazine, Garden Design Magazine, and Building Stone Magazine. 

Uphill and Into the Wind is David’s debut memoir. But his work has been published in A Year in Ink, the San Diego Writers, Ink Anthology and awarded at the Southern California Writers Conference. 

David believes that life is “out there,” in the forest, and on the land, not inside the box.

He currently resides in San Diego with his wife and family.

Connect with David on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Goodreads.

Book Details

Publication Date: October 15, 2020
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
ISBN: 9781734316834

Book Description

It’s 1973. Our nation is torn apart by the Vietnam War, and the massacre of unarmed students at Kent State. The Vice President has resigned for bribery and tax evasion. The President is being investigated for engaging in criminal activity. 

At twenty-three, David Reed has become embittered by political strife and corruption. Disenchanted with his future, he wants out. Along with new friends, Rusty and Susie, David leaves everything he knows to cross the United States with little more than his bicycle and a camera.

The trio gets more than they bargain for, with menacing animals, extreme weather, and astonishing encounters.

Uphill and Into the Wind recounts an odyssey that spans 5420 miles on bicycles. It chronicles the sudden and surprising glories of nature, the raw beauty of the land, and the majesty of the mountains. But that is just the start. Through it all, the three are changed forever, in ways they did not expect, by their long journey into the unknown.

My Thoughts & Takeaways

I read a lot of travel memoirs and a lot of nonfiction so I was both excited about this one, but also can be a bit picky for a lack of a better word. But, I thoroughly enjoyed Uphill and Into the Wind.

Not only was it exciting to experience the journey across country but also to do so at a time when I have not experienced. I feel like I’m in touch with nature, but in reality, I have no idea what it feels like to head out on a major adventure with no technology. 

I also loved the use of photos and maps to help illustrate the story – not that David’s writing needed any help.