Title: Space Cowboy Odyssey
Author: Thor Wier
Publisher: Friesen Press
ISBN: 978-1-4602-8817-7
Pages: 195
Genre: Memoir/Travel
Reviewed by: Carol Davala
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In the vein of popular travel memoirs like Peter Jenkins’ “Walk Across America” and the more recent true-life adventure of Cheryl Strayed’s trek across the Pacific Crest Trail captured in “Wild”, Thor Wier takes readers along on an extraordinary 2,600-plus mile journey up the Pacific Coast in his captivating reveal “Space Cowboy Odyssey”. After a few false starts, and with little to no riding experience, Wier and his merry band of travelers, i.e. two buddies, their horses, mules, and a 150 lb. black Lab named Goliath, left San Diego, and one year later, to the day, reached their intended goal and crossed the border into Canada.
In traditional storytelling mode, Wier shines in highlighting the numerous peaks and valleys encountered along the trail. Often he throws in a little 60s vernacular to help capture the timeframe. Across this majestic landscape layered in sandy beaches, lush forests, highways, bridges, dusty roads, and rocky terrain, Wier experienced deep bonds with nature, God, and the animals he entrusted with his life. The kindness and generosity of strangers weaves easily throughout the tale, as Wier befriends a menagerie of eclectic characters. From agrarian “hippies” and horseshoeing ranchers, to a psychic Indian woman and commune teepee dwellers, all had meals to share and stories to tell.
Clearly the ride offered Wier much time for contemplation. As a self-proclaimed space cowboy, with a Tom Sawyer sense of adventure, some of Wier’s mental meanderings digress into thoughts on universal theory, black holes, and galaxies far beyond our own blue jewel planetary realm. While relevant to Wier’s deep global concerns, the scientific complexities seem a bit weighty in contrast to the overall enlightening path of the book. There are several humorous moments laced throughout this wild ride. Consider a runaway donkey with his tail on fire, who crashes into a house and gets his head caught in drywall. Or perhaps Goliath’s renewed dignity when he removes his floppy moose hide dog shoes that render him to look like an animated Disney character. Here Wier’s words paint a vivid picture.
A smattering of black & white landscape photos lend an Ansel Adam’s air to the mountainous vistas. Grainy snapshot portraits at the center of the book depicting the motley Wier caravan and their four-footed beasts of burden, seem reminiscent of historic images of yesteryear’s pioneers making their way across the country. Newspaper articles along with mementos from their travels round out the narrative accompaniment.
At first glance, “Space Cowboy Odyssey” may seem merely a twofold blast from the past, meant to attract baby boomers with its showcase of both a pioneering mode of transportation and a generational era ensconced in memories of peace, love and a psychedelic haze. But at its heart it is a personal coming-of-age sojourn that sheds a brilliant light on the beauty of Mother Earth, the compassion of the human spirit, and our basic need to join forces and bring balance to the world. Ultimately it’s a unifying message with broad appeal.
