Why a Booktrail?
1950s: This has to be one of the ultimate booktrails and a great novel that needs to be read. A true classic of American literature.
On the Road
What you need to know before your trail
Jack Kerouac studied at Columbia University, where he met Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady, and William Burroughs.
It is said to be an account of Kerouac’s (“Sal Paradise”) travels with Neal Cassady (“Dean Moriarty”). The main characters are based on Kerouac’s friends, many of them prominent Beat Generation writers like Allen Ginsberg (“Carlo Marx”) and William Burroughs (“Bull Lee”).
Set following the Great Depression and World War II and more than 10 years prior to the Civil Rights movement and the turmoil of the 1960s. Still relevant today it is the story of restless, idealistic youth who yearn for something more.
Locations
Reset- America/USA - return journey
- J: CA - San Francisco
- K: LA - South Main Street
- L: CA -Indio
- M: MO - St. Louis
- N: PA - Pittsburgh
- O: PA - Harrisburg train station
Travel Guide
San Francisco and the USA
Part one
Denver – After taking several buses and hitchhiking, he arrives in Denver, where he hooks up with Carlo Marx, Dean, and their friends. There are parties — among them an excursion to the ghost town of Central City.
San Francisco – Eventually Sal leaves by bus and gets to San Francisco, where he meets Remi Boncoeur and his girlfriend Lee Ann.
LA – Soon he meets Terry on the bus to Los Angeles. They stay together, traveling back to Bakersfield, then to Sabinal, “her hometown,” Then he takes the bus back to New York and walks the final stretch from Times Square to Paterson.
Part Two
Testament, Virginia – In December 1948 Sal is celebrating Christmas with his relatives
New York – They drive to New York, where they meet Carlo and party before driving to New Orleans.
Algiers – they stay with the morphine-addicted Old Bull Lee and his wife Jane. Galatea Dunkel joins her husband in New Orleans while Sal, Dean, and Marylou continue their trip.
San Francisco – Dean again leaves Marylou to be with Camille before taking the bus back to New York.
Part Three
New York to Denver to San Francisco – In the spring of 1949, Sal takes a bus to see Dean
New York – Little Harlem on Folsom Street where they have a night of jazz and drinking
On the way to Sacramento they meet a “fag,” who propositions them.
Chicago
Part Four
In the spring of 1950, Sal gets the itch to travel again while Dean is working as a parking lot attendant in Manhattan,
By bus Sal takes to the road again, passing Washington, Ashland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and eventually reaching Denver.
There he meets Stan Shephard, and the two plan to go to Mexico City
They set off across Texas to Laredo, where they cross the border.
In Mexico City
Part Five
Sal returns to New York in the fall. He finds a girl, Laura, and plans to move with her to San Francisco.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: On the Road
Author/Guide: Jack Kerouac Destination: USA Departure Time: 1950s
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