One Day at a Time 2017: A husband & Wife’s 87 Day Road Trip through 22 States on 2 Harley Softails

by Hollie Bell-Schinzing, Margarita Martínez (Editor)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just pick up and ride your motorcycle around this big beautiful country? Hollie lives in Rochester, New York with her husband Bonz. They have been together for over 30 years. With Bonz newly retired and the kids leaving to go off on their own adventures they needed something to reconnect. Join them on their journey through 22 states, many national parks and a couple of biker rallies. Hollie requested three months off work (with no pay), and her employer was gracious enough to allow this. So that was it, June, July and August of 2017 off they went to discover not only the USA but also themselves. No real plans and no reservations, flying by the seat of their pants, join them in seeing what it is like to ride a Harley on the open road for 87 days, one day at a time.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Adventure

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2017

About the author

Whether she is hitting the open highway, diving into timeless open-road traditions, or taking control of everyday finances, Hollie Bell-Schinzing writes from a place of lived experience, warmth, and straightforward authenticity. Based in Rochester, New York, Hollie’s work reflects her passion for freedom, adventure, and practical self-empowerment.
Her writing journey began on two wheels alongside her husband, Bonz, chronicled in her travel memoir One Day at a Time 2017: A Husband & Wife’s 87 Day Road Trip Through 22 US States on 2 Harley Softails. Capturing the raw beauty of an itinerary-free cross-country trek, the book celebrates the art of taking life one day—and one mile—at a time. That same love for riding and rider culture inspired The Legend of the Guardian Bell: Motorcycle Folklore, where she explores the rich WWII history that created the motorcycle tradition, and spirit of protection behind one of the biking community's most beloved talismans, the guardian bells so many bikers hang on their bikes to this day.
In her latest book, I Work Too Damn Hard to Be This Damn Broke: Learning How to Budget Your Money, Hollie turns her focus toward real-world financial stability. Drawing on her own lessons learned from balancing multiple jobs and navigating money stress in a world where financial education is rarely handed to us, she offers a judgment-free, accessible guide to taking back control of your paycheck.
When long Rochester winters keep her off her Harley Softail, you can usually find Hollie curled up with a good book, planning her next adventure, or helping readers navigate life’s journeys—both on the road and in their bank accounts.

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven]

Road trips have been a part of America since people walked out of the caves and started roaming around. Hollie and her husband, Bonz are bikers and decided that after the kids left the nest to make their way in the world, they should plan a trip. Two empty-nesters, reconnecting and traveling through twenty-two states and the open road… what a fun way to spend eighty-seven days. They’d meet interesting people, stay in places unknown and eat the local cuisine. They’d learn a lot about what it means to be an American but also learn much about each other.



I loved this travel memoir. Hollie writes about each day: where they went, what they ate, where they stayed and people they met. They encountered ups and downs on the road but didn’t let it get in the way of their adventure. Each day is told as journal entries, so it was like the reader was a passenger along for the ride. The photographs were an added pleasure. Hollie reminded me of my aunt and uncle (about the same age) who are also bikers.



I highly recommend this book for its simple message of letting go and just taking it One Day at a Time.



My Rating: 5 stars



This review first appeared: https://princessofthelight.wordpress.com

[Kinney Scott]

I enjoyed this book. The writing was honest, interesting, and relaxing. It let go along for the ride and do something my body will never let me do - ride a motorcycle. Maybe in my next life!

[Michelle]

What the author and her husband did on their trip actually sounds like a lot of fun. Who wouldn't want to go on a road trip on a motorcycle for 2 1/2 months and visit the sights around the country? Well I'm sure it's not everyone's idea of fun, but to most people it probably is, but, and this is where the problem is, it was told in such a boring way that I would have rather cleaned the bathrooms in Grand Central Station. This was highly repetitive and talked a lot about things that could have been left out.

[Shallamar]

This book was amazing! It not only told the story of where this couple went and the many people that they met along the way, but it also listed specific recommendations for hotels, camp sites, and restaurants based on their unique experience in each area that they rode through. They made a complete circle around the US and had an amazing experience in the process. The author also listed the expenses for the trip so anyone looking to take a similar adventure can have an idea of what it will cost to do so. I would recommend this to anyone that's looking for a great non-fiction story, plans to take a trip like this, or simply dreams of it some day. Great read!!!

[Kevin]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. Hollie has completed an excellent travelogue that not only speaks to the beauty of nature, the joys and trials and travel, and the people you meet along the way, but also to some deeper truths about basic humanity, communication, and happiness. Living in Spearfish, SD I am sorry that she had an unpleasant time with the authorities. I would encourage her to return in the spring, early summer, or later in the fall to enjoy all the music, food, and beauty that the Black Hills can provide. Riding through Spearfish Canyon was certainly a missed opportunity. I look forward to what else she has that can burst forth from her brain.

[Linzie]

This is an excellent story that shares the experience of a couple as they travel across the US . The story touches on how this is both a journey across land but also for the couple to reconnect after their children have moved out. What I enjoyed most is focus she gives the different connections the couple makes with people along the way.

[Aditi Agarwal]

Interesting book for travelers and bikers. Hollie describes her own experiences from a 87-day road trip with her husband through 22 states in US.

I took this as an opportunity to learn the day-to-day life and other interests of bikers as I like to read about different cultures, habits, and people.

Overall, an entertaining read. Recommended for bikers who like to travel:)

[Mike He]

A very interesting, inspiring and fun read! As Hollie points out, “Life is the journey, and not necessarily the destination.” Not only is this a book about Hollie and her husband’s Harley Davidson biker cross-country experiences in 87 days, it also serves a reminder that people shall always do whatever they could to live and fulfill their dreams, one day at a time.

[Alice]

This is the kind of motorcycle adventure I like to have: low on peril, high on sightseeing, food and shopping. A lovely, optimistic look at just some of the variety to be found in the USA that made me want to do a similar trip.

[Steve Austin]

A wonderful realistic view into the leisure life of cross-country touring. Flush with suggested locations and recommendations, this book can help to plan a trip for yourself!

[Neil Williamson]

Fun read

[Heather Bell]

Loved this book. An honest reflection of a husband/wife team and their journey. Made me want to travel to their shared locations.

[PC]

This book grabs you and holds your attention. I found myself finding it hard to put down. This book is very well written!

[Cynthia]

An easy, quick read....written in diary style/form. Kind of fun/interesting to see how she describes areas that I've also been to, or would like to go to. I'd say this is a 'real' person's travel guide...not an over embellished, overdone, oversold, glossy paged thing. This was a nicely described tour, documenting on the land, the weather, the people, food, & places to stay & things to do/see along the way. The title is spot on! I'd recommend this to anyone who has any interest at all in travel! It was good.
I received this e-book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program, in exchange for my own fair & honest review.

[Sue (booknbeachbag)]

A disappointment

If I’d been following Hollie’s blog while she was traveling, I would have thought it was okay. But if effort was being made to transform blog posts into a book, context should have been added, typos should have been caught. I don’t feel like I got to know Hollie or Bonz any better. I learned very little about the places they visited. Would a biker have gotten more out of this?

I gave 2 stars simply because I finished the book. It had potential but fell short.

I can’t recall where I got this book. I received it free, most likely in exchange for my review.

[Erin]

This book is a compilation of posts from the author/blogger that were done daily during a motorcycle ride around the country. The couple did a lot of interesting things during their trip but I would caution that reading this through as a book comes across as fairly repetitive with a lot of arriving at the hotel/going and finding food information. If you're looking for a travel journal, it's an interesting read. If you're looking for something with a little more cohesion and theme, this is not it. Luckily, it's a quick read. Just know it's just a compilation of entries not an actual book.

[Vince Delaney]

A wonderful, easy and exiting book to read account of two people living their dream. She is an exiting and fun author to follow. It tells a story of a joyful and sometimes difficult adventure. I can almost relive my time when I was on the road. This is a dream I will never fulfil, but she made me feel I was riding next to them. It is on par with some of best travel logs I have read. I hope another book is in the Pipeline.

[Rob Burton]

I enjoyed reading this book. I finished in one sitting. Hollie mentions they often took a day off and spent time reading - thats what I did today and took a tour around the US with them. We all dream about driving around America on a Harley - don't we? I did it sitting on the sofa in China where I live and work. Its nice ride - I enjoyed the trip with them. I finished the book in one long morning's read - enjoying my coffee - as Hollie does many times.

[SkipO]

Rec'd from Goodreads giveaway....thanks.
Interesting book but should have better quality pictures.
If you're a biker,(I used to be ) you will appreciate this book.
Well written, easy read

[Locke Nuttall]

Needs more

Enjoyed this book. Would like for there to be more and better pics. Thanks for taking the time to write.

[David Taylor]

This is a must read if you love riding motorcycles!

[Carolyn]

Quite interesting report of a bike trip around some of the USA. I enjoyed reading about the small towns but got a little tired of the use of "cute" - especially when referring to restaurants.