Introduction : at home around the world -- Merrymaking and mayhem in the mountains : Hunter S. Thompson's final blastoff -- Kenya, Africa : the mother of us all -- Natural ambassadors -- Kokopelli : walking the Native American trail of beauty -- Bouquets and bombs on Broadway : agony and ecstasy on the Great White Way -- The Dutch treat : the genesis of Offbeat : collaborating with Kerouac -- Words and music : scat and make-up songs, the art of one-time-only rap reporting -- Postcards from the road, 2002-2007 -- Fond farewells : honoring six old friends.