The Author

Originally from Lake Tahoe, California, Amy Ciraolo grew up with the Sierra Nevada Mountains as her playground. Her love of skiing and swimming takes her back frequently to her childhood home. In 1995, Amy embarked on a cross country road trip that took her to Florida, and upon being hired by American Airlines, to New York where she continues to live now. After two years with the airlines, Amy met her soon to be husband Al, a New York City firefighter.

Amy’s love of the outdoors led to kayaks, fishing and camping gear, and anything else that would keep them active outside. She introduced Al to mountain bikes and he introduced her to road bikes. When Al saw the opportunity to ride his bicycle from Los Angeles to New York City for the Uniformed Firefighter’s Association Widow’s and Childrens’ Fund, they both knew it was something they had to do. For both Amy and Al, it was a way to pay tribute to colleagues they had lost and to also thank America for their overwhelming support after September 11 th, 2001.

After having driven across country in a week, Amy knew this time she could really see the land and learn about the people. Amy’s job as an international flight attendant has allowed her to travel the world, but she had always felt a need to know more of her own country. Originally Amy was just taking pictures to share with the riders but she was so touched by the people that she met in the towns that they rode through and the incredible feeling of community that she experienced that she wanted to do more. She wanted a way to give back, to pay it forward. What started out as a DVD project that fell through turned into this photo journal thanks to so many people who opened doors for her.

She credits her parents, Earl and Louise Hagadorn, with giving her the courage to go after anything she believed in and an Oprah Winfrey show for telling her “to get out of her box” at just the right time. With Al’s support, Amy embarked on the unknown and now shares this incredible journey through photographs and stories.