While I was growing up, I watched a lot of classic western movies and TV shows. I loved the stories, the characters and the locations. I was drawn to the romance of travel and adventure. (Well, that, and the horses. We can’t forget the horses.) I was too young to realize how much of what was presented was simply historically inaccurate, or even worse, offensive.
I always wanted to take a trip in a stagecoach. Bouncing along the dusty trail behind six strong horses, taking in the magnificent scenery, getting acquainted with fascinating fellow travelers and the gruff but kindly characters I had seen on TV – it just all seemed so wonderful. <wistful sigh> Except, the reality of travel by stagecoach was much different than the safe, tidy, and comfortable ride I envisioned.
My research into the real world of travel by stagecoach led to some bubble-busting truths. In the Maestro Heights eBook, “The Story of Stagecoaches,” I share some of what I learned. Even though I had to be a bit of a party pooper in dispelling some myths, the eBook contains many fun and entertaining facts to replace those pesky untruths.
RELATED: Check out the Maestro Heights eBook “The Story of Stagecoaches” here.
After you have read the eBook, you can see how much you’ve learned by watching the classic 1939 western movie, “Stagecoach.” You’ll see what they got right (a LOT!) as well as what they got wrong (oops). The movie story is set in 1880 and tells of the interactions and adventures of a group of travelers. While G-rated, this movie does touch on topics of which you need to be aware. Among the travelers are a prostitute, a whiskey salesman, and an alcoholic. Indians are encountered along the journey. All of these topics are dealt with as was typical for 1939 culture. This movie is credited with establishing John Wayne as the powerful actor he was.
RELATED: If you like this book, you’ll love the Maestro Heights eBook Club! Great value!
It’s true we won’t be bumping as much, and with auto air conditioning we’ll be mostly protected from the dust, but we can still have the experience of crossing the country just a few feet above the road. What I like is wherever we go, there’s some regional food specialty to seek out and enjoy. Just as we grew up enjoying breaded, fried pork tenderloins, Nebraska residents enjoy a special sandwich with a ground beef, onion and cabbage or sauerkraut filling baked into the bread dough, along with many attractive rest stops on Interstate 80. Utah has all those root beer and ice cream stands. And where do I start to describe New Mexico cuisine?
For you and many other travelers, it is the cuisine during a journey that defines a trip. In the stagecoach days, I suspect it was more the simple relief of reaching a destination that mattered. 😉