Roger W. Thompson - We stood upon stars: finding God in lost places

Rogers writing reminds me of Steinbecksit brings light to life in the most beautiful and profound ways. After reading this book I want to love my wife, kids, and life more. For that, I am deeply grateful for Roger and this book.

B RITT M ERRICK , pastor, hunter, surfboard shaper

A poignant travelogue of generations past and present, searching for God in lost places. After reading the first page of We Stood Upon Stars, its obvious Rogers love for adventure and desire to invite everyone else along! I was swept up in love like an ocean, grief like a desert, and peace like a river that flowed through every chapter. From the waves of Ventura, CA, to starlight in the desert, to the taco truck in Marfa, TX, I got lost in the stories of Roger and his family as they learned not only about the beauty of each destination, but the beauty of the journey it takes to get there.

L ESLIE J ORDAN , All Sons & Daughters

Its hard to know if Roger is an author or an artist. He paints these pages with words so vivid and picturesque that you can almost smell the Rocky Mountain air, feel the salty water of the ocean, or experience the tug of a wild trout on the end of a fly line. Roger is writing the powerful story every man, every father, and every adventurer dreams about living, but for Roger its not a dream. Its his life. And like a wise teacher, hes showing us how it can be our life too.

B RIAN C ARPENTER , founder of Refuge Foundation, Montana

Roger Thompson takes us on his dirt roads, into his mountains, and deep into his spirit. Through his humor and humility, he will inspire you.

B RADEN J ONES , entrepreneur, world traveler, husband and father, co-founder of Intervals, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Sons of Trade

There is no better story than one that truly becomes your own. As a guy who finds comfort in security, God is continually drawing me deeper into the unknownand its good for the soul. In this book, Roger invites us on the road less traveled. We Stood Upon Stars is a road map to the journey that every man hopes to experience for himself. Get ready to dive right into the heart of a man.

G ARY H UMBLE , CEO of Grapevine Craft Brewery and blogger at HumbleTravelers.com

We all search for something in our lives, though many of us are unable to express that. We Stood Upon Stars does soprolifically with love, humor, and solacerediscovering a wild that never had been lost. Beautifully written, must read.

K YNS L EE S COTT , steelhead and trout fly-fishing guide

What strikes me most isnt the adventures found within this book, but Rogers transparent ability to share the condition of our human heart. Rogers honest reflections undoubtedly beg us to reflect on our own map and trajectory through life. From finding truth behind VW Vanagon maintenance, to the art of teaching his sons the beauty of fly-fishing, to subtleties of the Creators whisper on the open roadRoger speaks to the father, husband, and friend who are crafting our own unique maps on this journey.

RJ H OSKING , fellow Vanagon owner, friend, @famwithvan

We Stood Upon Stars is an invitation to adventurepermission to exploreboth the physical destinations found through travel and the inner places of the heart. Roger warms you up with intriguing (not to mention hilarious) stories, then delivers thought-provoking wisdom at just the right moment. As a mother to four adventure-seeking boys (and married to another one), I know men everywhere will connect with this book as it affirms their dreams, questions, and passions, and ultimately points them to the place where real purpose and meaning can be found.

M ONICA S WANSON , author and writer at monicaswanson.com

We Stood Upon Stars makes you feel like you are sitting next to a campfire with a best friend, exchanging thoughts and memories of where youve traveled and where you hope to go.

K RISTI S POON , owner/rancher, Spoons Rock Creek Ranch

Ive always enjoyed seeing life through Rogers eyes, and now readers get to experience what I have through our friendship for so many years. We Stood Upon Stars draws me into beautiful locations, and when Im not expecting it, Roger drops one of those lines on me that makes me think of something important for the rest of the day. Something eternal. This book is so good for my soul that I cant put it down!

B RYAN J ENNINGS , professional surfer and filmmaker; founder of Walking on Water

1 The Light That Has Always Been
Joshua Tree National Park, California

2 Hometown Ghosts
Ventura, California

3 Problema Grande
Northern Baja, Mexico

4 Green-Dot Highways
Highway 12, Utah

5 We Stood Upon Stars
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

6 Watch Me Grow
Greys River, Wyoming

7 The Old Ways
Highway 49, California

8 A Gathered Blue
Lake Tahoe to Sonoma, California

9 The Dancing Ground of the Sun
Santa Fe, New Mexico

10 All the Wild That Remains
Philipsburg, Montana

11 Of Crabs and Men
Ventura and the Channel Islands National Park, California

12 A Fathers Fear
Paradise Valley, Montana

13 A Fathers Courage
Yellowstone River, Montana

14 Altars of the Wild
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

15 Highway Poetry
Highway 1, Santa Barbara to Big Sur, California

16 Between the Deep Breaths
Eastern Sierras, California