I try to read Jack Kerouac's On The Road at least once a year (Usually in the antsy days of Spring). I didn't get around to it this year, so after I catch up on all my beer reading I might pick it up (It'll probably be Spring by then).
I've never been on a cross-country road trip, but I've been able to live vicariosly through Kerouac's writing.
I first read the book in high school, but it wasn't until after I graduated and was living alone in a small cabin in Estes Park (with nothing to do but hike and read) that the book took on special meaning for me.
If you haven't read it, you need to.
Anyway, here's the point: The Denver Public Library is going to have the original manuscript, a 120-foot long scroll, on display from Jan. 6 to March 31.
There's also all sorts of other events centered around the exhibit.
Here's the story from today's Rocky
A portion of On The Road takes place in Denver and nearby places like Central City.
Kerouac and his buddies used to hang out (and drink beer) at places like My Brother's Bar and Charlie Browns.
It's pretty cool sitting in those places and imaging Kerouac, Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg doing the same thing 50 years ago.
Here's a cool driving tour of Kerouac's Denver.
And here's another one written by Neal's son John Allen Cassady.