After a thirty-year career teaching elementary physical education, Joy M. Walker bought a motorhome and embarked on a quest to ride her bike in all 50 states. Finding Joy in the West fulfills her lifelong dream of publishing and encouraging others to find joy. You can learn more about Joy by following her blog at www.joymwalker.com. Follow joy at Instagram.com/findingjoy626 and Facebook.com/joy.m.walker.author or contact her at joy@joymwalker.com.
""'Let me show you my vacation pictures, ' is a line that typically yields a mental groan to most bystanders. That sentiment turns to joy (pun intended) when the narrator is a master storyteller with a penchant for compelling adventures and cliff-hanging climaxes. Finding Joy in the West is a wild ride that will leave you experiencing a multitude of emotions as you vicariously tour this great land . . . with Joy."" -Chip R. Bell Senior partner with Chip Bell Group, Senior advisor to On3, Inc., Author, Inside Your Customer's Imagination ""Many of us take pride in naming the states we've visited. But few of us can claim to have ridden our bikes in all fifty states! That's Joy M. Walker's dream-her hope! And it's more than wishful thinking-she has a plan and more than enough energy and commitment to make it happen-for this is what gives her Joy! Hiking, dipping her feet into new waters, riding on rocky trails and narrow roads, making new friends, and taking chances-here is where the author discovers herself, uncovers her joy, finds God. Ride along with her on this exciting journey heading west toward California through the northern tier of states: Pike's Peak State Park, Mount Rushmore, Glacier National Park and so much more. You'll be dusting off your bicycle long before you complete this exciting adventure, travel memoir. It's a great read!"" -Dr. Beverly J. Armento Educator, Speaker, Advocate, Author of Seeing Eye Girl: A Memoir of Madness, Resilience, and Hope Life's Turning Points: A Personal Reflection Journal ""Absolutely captivating-In Finding Joy in the West, Joy Walker takes readers on an exhilarating journey across the United States, weaving a journey of adventure, joy, and personal fulfillment in every state she visits. Her vivid storytelling makes you feel as though you're right there beside her, experiencing each unique landscape and heartwarming encounter. This book is a must-read for anyone with a passion for travel and a thirst for adventure. By the end of this inspiring journey, you'll find your own life enriched and your spirit uplifted. Highly recommended!"" -Dan Blanchard Teacher, Youth Leader, Speaker, Best Selling Author of A Fighting Chance: A 40-year Journey from My Birth Until My Brother's Death ""Finding Joy in the West is an inspiring journey of resilience, discovery, and, most of all, joy. Joy's adventurous spirit and determination to cycle through all fifty states, despite many challenges, make this book a compelling read for anyone seeking adventure or personal growth. Her storytelling draws readers in with warmth, humor, and an openness that makes you feel like you're traveling alongside her. Through breathtaking landscapes, encounters with strangers who become friends, and reflections on faith and perseverance, Joy reminds us that the road-no matter how winding or uncertain-leads to something meaningful. This book is a must-read for adventurers, dreamers, and anyone looking for a book that will uplift and inspire."" -Patti P. Phillips, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer ROI Institute, Inc. Author of Show the Value of What You Do