Chasing the California Dream: A Solo Horseback Journey Along the California Coast

I may be prejudiced, as the author is a relative, but I always find her an interesting & witty person, so also is this account of her 1991 journey. She has a new book almost ready to publish about her 2001 solo journey cross country. Her father is a Yul Brynner type who claims, before she began these adventures he had hair.

In 1991 Lisa Wood traveled on horseback from LA to the Oregon border, and has written a wonderful book about her experiences on the trail. Her inspiration to make this journey came from J. Smeaton Chase, who made the same trek in 1911. The book not only notes striking contrasts between California in 1911 and 1991, but also embraces the spiritual nature of a journey such as this, the sucesses of which rely often on the kindness of strangers. Ms. Wood has a wonderful writing style. Reading the book I felt completely connected to her experiences, and her feelings during her sojourn. This is good writing, combined with the courage to tell the truth. This author loves finding just the right words to describe an event and its backdrop. Her descriptions of the nature she encounters are exceptional. I highly recommend this book.

This is a down to earth no nonsense narrative of experiences along the California coast. Some harrowing experiences and funny times along the 1500 mile journey. This is a book also about how strangers are willing to help, and how today's world has changed people. Setting her goal and reaching it is a worthy venture in itself. It is also a story of how a person relates to their horse and the relationship that builds during a long trip. This is not the story of Hollywood but of typical people and the challenges they set for themselves