"Packing Light" Review

Published by The Echo News

When asked what she would do with her life if she didn’t have to worry about money, Allison Vesterfelt responds, “I would drive across the country and write a book about it.” But you can’t just leave everything to live out your dream . . . or can you?

That’s just what her friend Sharaya Mikael convinces her to do. Mikael books singing gigs at local hangouts, and Vesterfelt blogs about their adventures. When they combine their talents, the two friends hop in a car and set out to tour all 50 states in one year. When you have to fit your whole life into one tiny car, you have to learn to pack light.

Reading Vesterfelt’s true story inspired me to think up my own adventures I could take. I took this book wherever I went until I finished it and found myself at the end in only a couple of days. Vesterfelt’s tone was personal and even brutally honest when it needed to be. She explores the uncertainties in life, and though she doesn’t solve them, she learns that uncertainty is inevitable and survivable.

I did have a couple of issues with this book. The entire trip was pretty reckless. Vesterfelt and Mikael did their best to plan ahead, but still found themselves in some questionable situations. (The travelers never really consider “stranger danger” as a threat.) Of course, much of what could be perceived as recklessness came from their faith in God. But, I often felt like God was looked to as a convenience rather than a friend or stronghold.

This book was not a manual or self-help guide so much as it was a journal of events and thoughts. Still, I found the tale to be fascinating and engaging. I would certainly recommend this book to new adults in their early to mid-20s as a lighthearted and inspirational story.