William Least Heat-Moon

He did it in 1982, in "Blue Highways," when he had lost his job and a wife, and set out in an old van he called “Ghost Dancing” to see the country anew. It was a huge bestseller.

He did it in "River-Horse," going coast-to-coast with a boat and outboard motor. He did it in "PrairyErth," deep in one Kansas county.

Now, William Least Heat-Moon has been traveling again, away from the interstate and the Big Mac. Out to catfish country, deep woods and pickle pie. Three years and 16,000 miles through Idaho, Maine, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and more.

This hour, On Point: William Least Heat-Moon and "Roads to Quoz."

You can join the conversation. Do you dream of hitting the road, exploring corners off the super highways? What do we learn these days by seeking out the least traveled American path?Guest:

William Least Heat-Moon joins us from Seattle, Washington. He's the author of "Blue Highways," "PrairyErth," and "River-Horse." His new book is "Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey." He joins us with his wife and fellow traveler in "Roads to Quoz," Jo Ann Trogdon — or as he calls her, “Q.” The nickname comes from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, also the name of a Mexican revolutionary hero. She’s an attorney who is taking time off to write a book about the 1798 journey of William Clark of Lewis & Clark fame.

Read an excerpt from "Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey."