A book tour is not a good opportunity to let your mind wander. You have to pay attention, remember salespeople's and interviewers' names, succinctly summarize your book in a 'selling' way, and so on.

I only saw one English-speaking person all the way across Siberia.

There's an idea of the Plains as the middle of nowhere, something to be contemptuous of. But it's really a heroic place.

I don't want to participate in traditional Indian religious ceremonies - dance in a sun dance or pray in a sweat lodge or go on a vision quest with the help of a medicine man. The power of these ceremonies has an appeal, but I'm content with what little religion I already have.

Siberia is so big, it’s almost more an idea than a place

Sometimes travel is merely an opportunity taken when you can.

I don't want to collect Indian art, though pots and beadwork and blankets made by Indians remain the most beautiful art objects in the American West, in my opinion.