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Life is Fragile
The Blank Journal is a heartfelt travel memoir that follows your journey together riding a tandem bike in all 50 states, and sharing your experiences of healing from deep grief, rediscovering joy, and making the most of the time you have left in life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Because we understand life’s fragility, our goal in writing this book is to inspire and encourage others, especially those starting over after having experienced setbacks or loss.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
By being vulnerable, we shared emotions, hope, and the importance of resilience. We also shared the raw ups and downs of our lives while achieving this goal.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir and what was the most rewarding?
It was challenging to decide which stories to include in various chapters in an effort to keep the book inspirational and motivational, as opposed to being a purely historical record. The most rewarding aspect was being authentic while reminiscing and focusing on lessons learned about life, ourselves, and each other.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Life is fragile and unpredictable. For readers who have gone through difficult circumstances, we hope the book will encourage them to stay engaged in life. For readers longing to pursue dreams and goals, we hope the book will ignite passion and persistence.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The Blank Journal: Biking in All 50 States and So Much More
The Blank Journal is a heartfelt travel memoir that follows Bob and Tammy Cranston, a remarried couple in their fifties, as they bike together through all 50 U.S. states—on a tandem bike, no less. But this book isn’t just about biking. It’s about healing from deep grief, rediscovering joy, and making the most of the time we have left. With each chapter, they unfold stories of adventure, misadventure, love, laughter, and the unexpected moments that stitched their lives back together after both lost their first spouses to cancer.
I really connected with the raw honesty in the opening chapter, “CHANGE,” where they describe their grief journey and how dance lessons became a surprising first step toward healing. I didn’t expect a memoir that starts with ballroom dancing to make me tear up, but there I was, feeling it all. There’s something deeply human about their story—two people learning to laugh again, stumbling through box steps, dealing with doubt and guilt, and ultimately choosing joy. It’s not written like a polished memoir with literary pretensions. It’s more like sitting across from two kind, chatty friends over coffee while they tell you their life story—complete with a few photos and some goofy mishaps.
That down-to-earth vibe continues throughout. I laughed out loud at their “Murphy’s Law” chapter, especially the part where they get locked out of their RV with their dog Zoey while being swarmed by mosquitoes in Arkansas. And don’t even get me started on the moose encounter in Alaska or the unexpected act of kindness from a stranger who helped guide them down a dangerous trail in Hawaii with just a flashlight and a whole lot of grace. The writing is simple but warm. Even their faith—woven throughout—is shared in a gentle, conversational way. No preaching, just quiet reflections on how their belief in God carried them through the valleys.
This isn’t just a book for cycling lovers, though fellow bikers will definitely enjoy the tales of scenic trails and the occasional tire mishap. This is for anyone who’s ever had to start over. Anyone navigating grief, or retirement, or just itching to pursue a dream later in life. It’s for the hopeful, the sentimental, and the road trip romantics. If you like stories that make you laugh, tear up a little, and want to hug your person tighter—or maybe get back on a bike again—this book’s for you.
Pages: 97 | ASIN : B0DC4PF97R
LITERARY TITAN 