“My Saddest Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road”
Part of the Yin and Yang of Travel Series
By Mark D. Walker

Review by LB Sedlacek

Walker opens his book with a quote from Paul Theroux, “Travel is the saddest of pleasures. It gave me eyes.” He took inspiration from Theroux and the travel writers Tom Miller and Moritz Thomsen to write his own travel book.
In his Foreword, Walker states “I’ve learned a lot about travel over the last fifty years, kicking around the world” finding meaning in “The Saddest Pleasure” by Moritz Thomsen. Walker said “This basic supposition would inform and put my travels into perspective … and made me a better traveler and writer” saying this upon reading about Thomsen’s explanation of his quote “Travel is the saddest of the pleasures. It gave me eyes.” 
Walker certainly has travel experience from being a Peace Corps Volunteer to a professional fundraiser he says he became a “savvier trekker.” This book is part of his “Yin & Yang of Travel” series of ten essays that he says was inspired by Paul Theorux’s “The Tao of Travel.” 
Walker’s essays offer a reflective journey of the life of a seasoned traveler. His memoir expertly captures the essence of life on the road in which he weaves together vivid descriptions and insightful observations that will resonate with most any reader.
The book’s structure takes that of travel vignettes. Each one highlight’s a different phase or part of Walker’s life. He can draw the reader in so that it is easy to share in his emotional and poignant journeys.

From “Retirement and Post Pandemic: Southwest:
Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado” 

“At this point in my life, I was less drawn to traveling to
far-off destinations. I decided to visit the magical
Sanctuary of Chimayo and the Cumbres Toltec railroad
in New Mexico. Although we had seen the Sanctuary
before, road construction and a faulty Google map setting
left us lost and stranded at the Chimayo Post office, when
the first of two “travel angels” appeared. A lady in a white
sedan saw me cursing my Google Maps app and lowered
her window to ask, “What are you looking for?” When I
told her about the Sanctuary, she simply said, “Follow
me.” We did, and just before reaching the parking lot, she
raised her thumb and drove off, getting us to the
Sanctuary just half an hour before it closed.”

This passage offers Walker’s unique perspective on travel angels and perhaps going with the flow while traveling. I have had the pleasure of riding this particular train twice and truly enjoyed reading about someone else’s adventures in this magical place as one should or would expect.

Walker’s memoir stands out because of his honesty. He details meeting his wife, how they took their honeymoon, cutting his hair for one last trek alone and more. He shares his struggles but also the important moments of his travels.

Walker’s book is a testament to the power of travel and enduring life on the road, so to speak. He embraces life’s complexities and reminds us that there is much reward for those who accept the challenge to roam.

~LB Sedlacek is the author of several books of poetry including “Unresponsive Sky,” “Poem Medicine,” “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “Ghost Policy,” “Swim,” “and “This Space Available.”  Her short stories books include “The Jackalope Committee & Other Stories” and “The Renovator & Motor Addiction.” Her poem novel is “The Blue Eyed Side.”