Who would go to Key West with 8 bucks? When you're doing the right thing God paves the road.

Weston Rayfield is a testament to following your muse and making dreams come true; his book "Marathon Tools" just became available nationwide. At 50 he made a life altering decision to get out of business and go for his lifelong dream of being a novelist. Weston sold all that he owned and began a two-year sabbatical to see his literary dream through. Homeless for the first time in his life, he packed-up his van, with 75 books and took off across country.

When I wrote my book and decided to go on the road --tossing everything I had known out the window, getting rid of my house, business, and all my possessions-- with very little money, just books and my wits about me, I had no idea what would be in front of me. I just took my rearview mirror, snapped it off at the neck and put the petal to the metal.

I have a 1978 Ford E-150 Camper Van, that I restored before I left Michigan. Thumbs-up to both Ford and Coachmen companies for producing products with an everlasting shelf life.

After starting in Michigan, doing book signings and art shows in Lansing,  Ledge, East Lansing, and Grand Rapids, I was off to a warmer climate.

On my way to Florida, losing my keys, chiseling locking gas caps off, hack-sawing my way through a bicycle lock, buying a new car battery, and also dealing with computer problems, I made it down south, relatively unscathed.

Looking at a map, planning my book signings, I noticed a city named Marathon, Florida. I had no Idea that there was a Marathon, Florida when I wrote the book. But after viewing the Florida map, I said to myself: Well, I just have to go down and visit there for sure.

Within one day after arriving I quickly made several friends --accidentally stumbling onto an AA meeting. They were praying, I thought it was an outdoor church meeting... sermon-- they took it upon themselves to take me and my book through town; introducing me to their wonderful city.

Through this fine collective group of people --some homeless, some alcoholics, some steadfast AA believer' and some local folks -- they took me to ‘The Dockside Restaurant and Marina' and set up a book signing in Marathon for me. That signing went very well, I paid my phone bill, bought food and supplies.

On the recommendation of the owner of the Dockside, Lance, and several other friends, with greater ideas than I, asked: "What about a book signings down in Key West. You are so close, and you're an artist... you have to go down to the Keys, man!"

"Who would go to Key West with 8 bucks in their pocket?" my parents asked. But I had to go: it's a new author thing, I have books and art to sell... and a prayer. When you're doing the right thing, God seems to pave the way.

I got to Key West and walked the streets in amazement of the artwork: there are 60 art galleries here, a gallery owner told me. (I have been an artist for 40 years.) I ended up standing at the southernmost point of the US. On the beach, in front of the Southernmost Grill and across from the ‘Southernmost Hotel.‘ The sunset was beautiful, I just had to have a beer at the outside bar, right on the beach. --A-kind-of-- I made it --toast thing-- you know, I just felt drawn.

I sat down. There were two guys conversing: A younger dude, and an older, experienced, salt of the sea kind of guy; rough around the edges. The younger guy had to leave, his wife was waiting. The ‘salt of the sea' gentleman and I had quite a conversation. He had built buildings all over the US (you never would have known it by looking at him), and knew a lot about the world. Anyway, he seemed knowledgable about everything. I told him about me and my book:

Well… My name is Weston Rayfield. I’m a testament to making dreams come true; my book "Marathon Tools" just became published. I have made a life-altering decision to get out of business and go for a lifelong dream of being a novelist. I sold all that I owned – reduced to four cents on the dollar-- to see my literary dream through. I had no Idea that there was a Marathon Florida; I just had to come down to the keys and visit.

The waitress came over and asked, “Do you want anything to eat?”

The old guy, dark leathered skin, deep and thick, that feature made his blue eyes even more luminous, spoke up and said “The burgers are great.”

I asked “how much” --hoping she would say something around $5--

She said, “Twelve-ninety-five!”

“I would think about it.” I reluctantly answered.

The salt of the sea guy spoke up, with infectious spontaneity and asked: "Why don't you be my guest and I will introduce you to Key West, and buy you a burger.”

“You don't have to do that.”

He bought me a burger.

Meantime, he asked: “So tell me about your book, how good is it. I have a feeling about you and your book, I read a lot of books.”

“I started getting emails, from people raving about the book.  They love it… many said it needs to be a movie-- on the way down here from Michigan… But, I have a biased opinion. However,” I thought for a moment, then remembered.  I told him a had a voice message from an old high school buddy, if he wanted to hear it.

He said, “Yes.”

So I played the message from Greg Pellot, --He was caught on a delayed, layover flight, returning home to Wisconsin from Florida and had time to read the whole book-- this old friend, testifying it was one of the best books he had ever read.

The swashbuckling, worldly guy, asked with a gravel tone, “How far away is your vehicle, with all your books?”

I said, “About three blocks." (it was more like twelve)

“Go get me a book,” he said.

I took off running. I came back about twenty minutes later and gave it to him.

“I really have a good feeling… I know this is going to be a good book.” He shook my hand and left money in my palm. He said, “Good luck,” and walked away into the night.

I opened my hand and found a one hundred dollar bill.

That was my first hour at Key West... To read my blog, go to: FaceBook