My Summer on Route 66
Story Summary
When twenty-two-year-old Jess Fitzgerald loses her beloved grandfather, she inherits more than his keepsakes—she inherits his wanderlust. A lifetime of journals and black-and-white photos capture his memories of cruising the open highways in America’s golden age of travel, especially the legendary Route 66.
To Jess’s surprise, his will leaves her enough life-insurance money to take her own journey, with one condition: she must use part of it to see the country for herself. Still haunted by her mother’s death and unsure of her future after college, Jess takes a leave of absence and decides to follow in both of their tire tracks.
With the help of her father, she pieces together an itinerary from her grandfather’s and mother’s notes and sets out in early summer, driving a red Jeep Renegade she names Shirley, accompanied by her loyal Australian Shepherd, Cameron. From neon-lit diners in Illinois to the desert motels of New Mexico, Jess uncovers family secrets, makes new friends, and learns that the road’s true purpose isn’t reaching the destination—it’s discovering who you become along the way.
📖 Volume 1 — The Mother Road
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Chapter 1 — Drive (Incubus)
Coming Soon
Jess leaves Chicago at first light; coffee at Lou Mitchell’s, a paper map on the seat, and too many unsent messages in her phone. -
Chapter 2 — Volcano Girls (Veruca Salt)
Coming Soon
Amboy, California: the Amboy Crater, Roy’s Motel Café, and a whirlwind photoshoot that pulls Jess into the frame. -
Chapter 3 — Scar Tissue (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Coming Soon
A detour becomes a confession—what we carry, and what we finally set down in the desert.
🎧 Jess’s Playlist
Every chapter in My Summer on Route 66 is inspired by a song—an alt-rock road-mixtape of wanderlust and memory. The full playlist embed will appear here once it’s ready.
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