Two sentences that were convincing enough for me to buy this book. At the register, the Library’s executive director, Magnus Torén, rang up my purchases and then I stepped outside to find that man, as I knew he was the M.L. Fischer who would sign his book for me.
The Library was celebrating the first issue of its literary journal, Ping•Pong, with a release party. People circulated the Library’s bookstore selecting new reads, like I did, or sat chatting on the sunny deck of the Library, surrounded by a redwood grove.
I thanked Meade. We shared stories of our beloved California coast and then Magnus asked everyone who had been standing around drinking wine and conversing about books, art, music and the beautiful warm sunny afternoon in Big Sur, to take seats and enjoy readings by all the talented authors published in Ping•Pong.
Having returned to my Big Sur campsite, reclined in a beach chair with my newly-acquired pug-beagle puppy snuggled atop my lap, I read Meade’s chronicles of his adventures along the west coast.
Meade has lived in many California coast towns and has driven the coast from southern California to Vancouver, B.C. Meade’s “ride” to roam the Coast Road is either an “old Toyota pick-up” or a Kawasaki 1100cc.
In one night at my Big Sur campsite, I read through Meade’s Cosmic Coastal Chronicles. Foxes visited, sniffing outside my tent, scaring the puppy to settle within my sleeping bag. Absolutely original as a local’s guide book to travel on Highways 1 and 101, M.L. Fischer’s Cosmic Coastal Chronicles may also be compared to Jack Kerouac’s On The Road and John Steinbeck’s, Travels with Charley. The next morning I hit the Coast Road south for a trot down to Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.
May the road rise to meet you too.