About the Author

Fred O'Brien was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont and always wanted to see the world. He joined the Navy in 1964 and served on a destroyer in the North Atlantic. After serving his term, he returned to the States and hitch-hiked around the country for a while. Next, he drove a beer truck while getting an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science. That is when he realized he had a knack for analyzing data and was intrigued by different code, programming and computer languages. During his youth he rode motorcycles. He dreamed of someday owning a Harley and writing a novel. He also abused drugs and alcohol.

Enticed by a close friend, Fred moved to Houston in 1974 where he developed a successful career as a Systems Analyst and a reputation as a trivia buff. He read voraciously, especially histories and biographies; enjoyed an eclectic variety of music; and studied maps.

In 1995, he realized his life was on a path of destruction, so he sought help through counseling, which introduced him to the AA Program. Fred worked hard at being sober and he began to ride motorcycles again...this time, on a Harley. The open road was complete solace for him and the people along the way gave him perspectives of life. America's beauty awed him. He began to keep a journal of each trip to share his experiences with his wife and others.

Fred's friends suggested that he gather his stories together and author a book. For six trips, Fred took his notes and scribbles and gathered them into a cogent group of essays about his travels. He wrote about his first long haul ride to the Grand Canyon, then his rides along the Continental Divide, up the Pacific Coast, the Blues Highway following the Mississippi River to its headwaters, his ride to Nova Scotia and back down the East Coast, and the high-point of his dreams....a ride to Alaska. He put his manuscript together and sent it to publishers in the summer of 2005. Then, true to his nature, he left for another ride along his byways.

That's when tragedy struck. Fred was riding on a rural highway in Colorado with two friends. It was a beautiful, sunny, clear mountain road with ups and downs and curves - a motorcyclist's delight. But then a truck, driven carelessly by a teenage girl with no driver's license, without looking, pulled out onto that road not seeing or hearing the three motorcycles approaching. She cut them off, leaving each few options for avoiding the crash. Once his two companions used up those options, the only option left for Fred was to lay down his bike, slide along the highway, and hope for the best......he did not survive his injuries.

On June 25, 2005, Fred O'Brien lost his life. He left behind his wife, Carol, a brother Jack and his family, countless friends, and these chronicles of his travels. What is most important to note is he left this earth clean and sober with a profound sense of his spiritual nature. He wrote: "Today I have no idea who or what God is but I am positive God is and that has made all the difference." And true to God's grace, although Fred did not survive.....his "chronicles" did.

Carol, was driven to have Fred's last dream come true – that of becoming an author. She had a call late in 2006 from a publisher Fred had contacted previously to no avail. But this same publisher and his wife realized one of their dreams and started a publishing firm of their own. Remembering Fred's writings, they contacted Carol and offered to publish his chronicles. It is with great sorrow and love that this book has become a reality.

It is Carol's fervent wish that all motorists all along the roads, byways, and highways of America, whether in cities, small towns, or countryside's be aware that there are others out there who share those paths with you. They may be on motorcycles, or bicycles, or even walking, but they too have a right to use these roads. Listen and watch for them; wave back and let them share the beauty with you as you share the road with them. Acknowledge their presence, by being a courteous driver and "give each other space".

Ride on Fred... May you find the roads in Heaven even more beautiful and wondrous than the ones you rode on Earth.