By motor to the Golden Gate

"By Motor to the Golden Gate" by Emily Post is a travel narrative written in the early 20th century. The book documents the author's ambitious journey from New York to San Francisco, capturing her experiences, challenges, and observations along the way. It highlights the dynamics of road travel during a time when such adventures were still relatively novel and filled with uncertainties. The opening of the book sets the stage for this cross-country trip, filled with both excitement and skepticism from those around her. Emily Post describes how, despite the doubts of friends and acquaintances about the feasibility of her journey without servants or a mechanic, she remains determined to embark on the adventure with just her son and a family friend. The narrative reveals her process of planning the trip, her interactions with various individuals who provide insights—or skepticism—about the journey ahead, and the humorous yet poignant moments that characterize the early stages of their road trip. The reader is introduced to the challenges of navigating uncharted territories, encountering misadventures, and the nascent spirit of motor travel that defined an era.