Murphy Hooker

Unpaved Destiny Murphy Hooker

A tale of perseverance and grit, humor and heart, this is the story of two comically mismatched riding partners on a lost year abroad as they crash their way across the world on a sideways search for life's meaning in some of the world's most terrifying countries. Unpaved Destiny is the true story of a 32-year-old Arizona banker, slash D. J. who thought he was living the dream in 2009. He had it all, but privately wished he could live wild and free like his mysterious, MMA sparring pal, Mike. When Elliot's world spectacularly implodes, he divorces his cheating wife, quits his job, and disappoints his overprotective Jewish family by cashing out of the American dream to embark on an unplanned, year-long motorcycle camping trip around the world with moody Mike, who he barely knows. Ill-prepared to ride or camp, Elliot buys a motorcycle and a tent, and spontaneously joins his anti-social sparring partner on his world tour, even though he's never seriously ridden a bike before, or camped before. What could possibly go wrong? How about everything. When Elliot and Mike are not lost, or at each other's throats, they must survive harrowing encounters with deadly parasites, drunken hillbillies, corrupt cops on the take, suspiciously helpful Russian mobsters, torn muscles, hurt feelings, disappearing highways, faulty GPS, and a pack of bloodthirsty Mongolian vultures they just couldn't shake. While they explore a series of strange and creepy towns instead of camping outside of them, they're saved repeatedly by the kindness of strangers, which manifests itself in countless bizarre and comic ways. Thanks to his crash course in suffering, Elliot manages to get his own karma right again, even meeting his future wife in Japan, and conquering his fear of in an inspiring climax at a New Zealand Triumph Motorcycle Rally. Looking back, every culture Elliot and Mike crashed into left a permanent imprint on their souls. After meeting hundreds of crazy and kind people from all walks of life, they discovered what many of us tend to forget-there are amazing people all who are willing to give you the shirts off their backs.