“Free Ride: Noraly Schoenmaker’s Adventures Through an Author’s Eyes” - A Book Review

 

A Book Review: “Free Ride: Noraly Schoenmaker’s Adventures Through an Author’s Eyes”

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Introduction

Outdoor adventures often spark inspiration from unexpected places. For me, it was my son Timothy who opened the door to Itchy Boots, a YouTube channel chronicling Noraly Schoenmaker’s solo motorcycle journeys. What began as family evenings watching her rides soon grew into a deeper appreciation for storytelling, exploration, and the courage to share one’s experiences with the world. 

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Thank you to my son Timothy, whose enthusiasm first introduced me to the YouTube channel Itchy Boots. Cathy, Tim, and I made a ritual of watching Noraly Schoenmaker’s adventures whenever Tim visited us in Sunapee, NH. Over the past two years, our evenings often included two to four of Itch Boots half‑hour episodes—each one a window into the thrill of solo motorcycle travel.

Curious to learn more, I picked up Noraly’s book Free Ride, a 270‑page account of her journeys. I finished it in less than a week, captivated by her vivid storytelling. As a fellow author, I admired her style. Critics of my own ten books have sometimes noted that I skim over details—whether describing Tim and me paddling over Long Lake Dam or the sensation of paddling the five mile Allagash’s Chase Rapid. Noraly, by contrast, paints her experiences with rich detail that pulls the reader right alongside her.

Interestingly, Noraly shared in an interview that she drafted Free Ride in her native Danish, uncertain of her English writing skills. The manuscript was later translated into English, yet the result is seamless and engaging.

After immersing myself in both her videos and her book, I found myself wishing she had written more about the behind‑the‑scenes challenges—like learning to master drones that captured sweeping shots above and beside her motorcycle … all the while riding her motorcycle. Equally impressive is her ability to film, edit, and publish Itchy Boots video episodes within days of riding through remote landscapes.

Noraly has also completed a ride from Argentina to Alaska, a journey I hope will be the focus of her next book.

So thank you, Noraly, for sharing your adventures. And thank you, Tim and Cathy, for making Itchy Boots part of our family evenings.

Closing

Adventure is never just about the miles traveled—it’s about the people who inspire us, the stories that fuel our imagination, and the communities we build along the way. As I continue sharing my own journeys with my OutdoorSteve Blog and books, I carry with me the spirit of Noraly’s rides, the joy of evenings with Tim and Cathy, and the reminder that every trail, paddle, or ride becomes richer when shared.

Click To Order Your Own Copy of FREE RIDE By Norlay Schoenmaker

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Books by OutdoorSteve.com

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"Everyone must do something.  I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($18.95)

"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I’ll go Outdoors.” 

Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and hardcopy at Harborside Trading Company, 81 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Wild Goose Country Store, 77 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH, Bookstore at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Gift Shop, Lebanon, NH, and Village Sports, New London, NH.

For more of Steve’s outdoor guidebooks and documentary videos, visit OutdoorSteve.com and Outdooradventurers.blogspot.com.

Preparing for Winter: A Wooden Dock Taken Out of the Water Before Ice Comes

Preparing for a New Hampshire winter means thinking ahead about how ice and freezing temperatures will affect anything left in the water. A wooden dock left in place through the freeze is almost guaranteed to suffer damage:

•  Ice expansion & pressure: As the pond freezes, ice expands and shifts. That pressure can crack boards, split joints, and warp the dock frame.

•  Movement & heaving: Ice sheets don’t just sit still—they rise and fall with water levels, grinding against the dock and pulling at its supports.

•  Moisture damage: Even treated wood absorbs water. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles cause swelling, splitting, and rot.

•  Hardware stress: Bolts, brackets, and fasteners can bend or shear off under the strain of shifting ice.

That’s why most waterfront owners in northern climates remove or lift docks before the pond freezes. My seasonal dock is designed for easy removal with two or three strong family members or neighbors. As neighbors help each other we often make dock dremoval a community affair. 

Since I have had firsthand experience with damage, my proactive approach of removing the dock is the best way to preserve it for many more summers of use.

This 4 minute video shows my son Tim and neighbor Paul, removing the dock, and further as the dock is stored, it is position for easy return in the early sping unpon decclation of ice out. 

Click this link to SUBSCRIBE to OutdoorSteve's YouTube Channel

Books by OutdoorSteve.com

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"Everyone must do something.  I believe I will go outdoors with family and friends"

Steve’s latest book, Outdoor Play "Fun 4 4 Seasons" is available as an e-Book at Kindle ($3.99) and hard copy at Amazon.com ($18.95)

"Everyone should believe in something. I believe I’ll go Outdoors.” 

Steve’s books are available as hardcopy and e-Books at Amazon's Kindle and hardcopy at Harborside Trading Company, 81 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Wild Goose Country Store, 77 Main St, Sunapee, NH, Morgan Hill Bookstore, New London, NH, Bookstore at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Gift Shop, Lebanon, NH, and Village Sports, New London, NH.

For more of Steve’s outdoor guidebooks and documentary videos, visit OutdoorSteve.com and Outdooradventurers.blogspot.com.

 

Two weeks ago, I received an invitation from Sunapee High School for a Veterans Day Breakfast Appreciation Event on November 13, 2025 8:30 am.  My wife was shy about going, saying this event was only for veterans.  I told her it indeed included her.

She eventually agree to come with me. In preparation for this event, I prepared my introduction for my wife.

 I thought this introduction was important enough to share with my two sons.

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Good morning, everyone. My name is Steve Priest, and my wife and I live on Perkins Pond.

 My wife, Catherine Daly Priest, didn’t want to come today.

 She said, “I didn’t serve in the military.”

 But I’d like to share a story with you — one that might make you think differently about what service really means.

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When I was in the U.S. Army, Catherine and I were stationed in Germany.

I worked at a small Army base, Miesau Army Depot, repairing radar systems for the HAWK missile — part of our air defense.

 Catherine, a registered nurse, worked just five kilometers away at Landstuhl General Hospital.

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While I was fixing circuit boards, she was receiving wounded, sick, and injured soldiers flown in from Vietnam and other conflict zones.

 They arrived at Ramstein Air Force Base and were transferred directly to Landstuhl, where she cared for them until they could be sent to Walter Reed Hospital in the States.

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If you want to understand the kind of injuries she saw, just turn on the news today.

 It was intense. It was emotional. And it was service — every bit as real and vital as mine.

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So when Catherine says she wasn’t in the military, I respectfully disagree.

 I thank her for her service.

 And I salute her — not just as my wife, but as someone who stood shoulder to shoulder with those who wore the uniform.

 Thank you.

 Catherine, I Love You