Through Painted Deserts (2005) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit

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Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

• Don Miller: The narrator and author of Through Painted Deserts (also, Blue Like Jazz, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and Father Fiction).
• Paul Harris: The an-/protagonist of the narrative. It's Paul's pining for Oregon that incite Don to join him on a trek to Portland. Described as "Oregon at heart but looks like California. He has wild blond hair and a smile that endears him to women. He's framed tightly with muscle, carrying his mid size stature in efficient, able-bodied strides. A swimmer's arms, not bulky with excess, but efficient, thick, and sun weathered
• Fred: Introduces Paul to Don
• Jeremy: A friend of Don's in Houston. Attributed with this statement to the author: "I never took you as the hippie type."
• Kristin: In Houston, the author's girlfriend.
• Michael Johnson: An absent mechanic in an unnamed town where Don and Paul stop to seek assistance in van repair
• Ben Bonham: A previous VW van owner who assists Don and Paul in an unnamed town when the latter two experience van difficulties
• Kate Bonham: Wife of Ben Bonham. Claimed two separate visits to the Grand Canyon. Her husband helps Don and Paul repair their van
• Lynette: A former girlfriend of Paul's from Houston
• Michael Ann: A former girlfriend of Paul's from Oregon.
• Cheyenne: A cowgirl that Don dreams of in between Oklahoma and the pan handle of Texas. In the dream, Don and the cowgirl are fleeing from assailants.
• Betty: A waitress at a diner where Don and Paul stop to eat just after passing into California. Betty has (probably dyed) blonde hair.
• Bob: The owner and chef at a diner where Don and Paul stop to eat just after passing into California. Bob has black hair
• Mike Tucker: Met Don at camp in Colorado. Lives in Visalia, California.
• Mrs. Tucker: Mike's mom. Invites Don and Paul to the home and offers to let them spend the night.
• Danielle Bjur: An acquaintance of both Don's and Mike Tucker's. Allegedly attended camp in Colorado with the two. Described as funny (for, apparently, her preference in black and white movies), athletic, and smart. Known for a flattering and form-fitting red dress. At meeting, described "thin frame coming out of hips that slide left and right with each footfall, moving up her athletic torso to long arms and a head you dream about in your sleep" and as having a "tie-dyed shirt, khaki pants, and combat boots. She is brown-bread tan. Her teeth are perfect. Her smile is perfect."
• Shirley Bjur: Mother of Danielle Bjur. Described as "a petite woman" who carries indications of the beauty in her daughter.
• Elida Bjur: Sister of Danielle Bjur
• Nate Bjur: Adopted brother of Danielle Bjur
• Randy Bjur: Danielle's father. An employee for Hewlett-Packard.
• Henry: A companion that Paul knows from former employment at Black Butte Ranch. Described as "a wiry fellow with big blond hair sticking out in all directions. A handsome guy with big teeth and the sort of smile that probably gets him stuff for free."
• Lucy: The head of housekeeping services at Black Butte Ranch and Don's supervisor. A dark-haired woman with a stressed appearance.
• Laurel: A "motherly woman" who works in housekeeping at Black Butte Ranch
• Molly: A young girl that Don encounters at Black Butte Ranch. A friend of Paul's. Blue eyes and pale complected.
• Jodie: Molly stays with Jody while at Black Butte Ranch. Jodie is a lifeguard
• Owen: Co-worker at Black Butte Ranch
• Eddie: Co-worker at Black Butte Ranch
• Brick: Co-worker at Black Butte Ranch
• Pat: Co-worker at Black Butte Ranch

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Dallas, Texas: A byway along the narrator's exodus from Texas to Oregon. Passed somewhere near the second day of travel. Described as "the Seattle of Texas. It was what Chicago used to be...Dallas blew in on the winds of a Gulf coast hurricane and rained glass and steel onto a field of bluebonnets. It's an odd town, though. A big, Republican, evangelical city where you can't drink, girls wear black dresses for dates on Wednesday, and the goal is to join the local country club like your daddy and his daddy before him."
• Houston, Texas: The point of origin in the story. Don is living in Houston when he meets Paul and agrees to trek to Oregon.
• Portland, Oregon: The final destination in the narrative. The current place of residence of the author according to the opening Author's Note
• Albuquerque, New Mexico: A byway in the narrative
• Flagstaff, Arizon: A byway in the narrative and a major landmark that Don and Paul plan on visiting before heading further to Oregon
• The Grand Canyon: The major midway point in the narrative. Don and Paul intended to stop and hike at the Grand Canyon before continuing to Oregon
• Las Vegas, Nevada: A byway in the narrative Through Painted Deserts. Where Don and Paul stop to seek service for their van. Described as "an island of lights and trickery."
• Mojave: A regional of South Central California through which Paul and Don travel. Home to a major desert and Joshua Tree National Park
• Visalia, California: Halfway between Bakersfield and Fresno. A stopping point for Don and Paul on their way to Oregon
• Eugene, Oregon: A byway along which Don and Paul pass. Don call's a friend, Danielle, from Eugene. He notes that a single street has more coffee shops than all of Houston.
• Raleigh, Washington: The home town of Don's friend Danielle.
• Black Butte, Oregon: The location of Black Butte Ranch where Paul has worked previously and where he secures a position for himself and Don
• Gresham, Oregon: A passing point in the narrative. A town east of Portland
• Sisters, Oregon: A town located near Black Butte

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Donald Miller (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: BV4501.3 .M543 2005
• Dewey: 277.30829092

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Biographies & Memoirs › Leaders & Notable People › Religious
• Books › Religion & Spirituality › Spirituality
• Books › Biographies & Memoirs › Travel