The 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Adventures

Sunday, December 20, 2015

2015 -- Quite the Year!

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and Great Lakes speaker. She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has written three books about the Great Lakes [A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach *a Heartland Indie Bestseller*A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk *winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award*, and A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure]. To learn more about her work, or to book her as a speaker, go to http://LakeTrek.com


2015 was an amazing year.
Here are the highlights:

I began the year living in Chicago for several months where I finished the manuscript for the third book in my trilogy about our Great Lakes.

Chicago!


In May, 
A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure was released to select indie bookstores and my book tour began. In June, the book was available everywhere. I had dozens of appearances and interviews this year.

Zinta Aistars at WMUK

While touring, I had time to stop in at the lamprey research center where I got to hold a live lamprey!

Speaking at Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor


Literati Bookstore!


Black River Books, South Haven


Brilliant Books, Traverse City


Time to visit "my lake," Lake Michigan

The "Perimeter" exhibit -- about Lake Michigan and the people connected to this Great Lake -- came to Traverse City! 

"Perimeter" by Kevin J. Miyazaki featured my portrait 


Part of "Perimeter" by Kevin J. Miyazaki 

I met up with Bette Hartig at Great Lakes Book and Supply in Big Rapids. She has carved two walking sticks for me!

Bette & Me and the walking staffs she has carved for me


I spoke at the Ann Arbor Library!


I was honored to be interviewed by Cynthia Canty on Michigan Radio


I was the featured speaker at the Annual Meeting for this conservation group



I spoke to this outdoors group in Livonia


At the interview for this Chicago radio station


 I spoke at four REI stores in Chicago



I spoke at the WOW event in South Haven


This was a fantastic year for me and I hope it was for you, too!

I will continue to give my dynamic talks about our Great Lakes. 
And next year I will add a fourth presentation about Isle Royale!
All the best to you in 2016!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Water Walkers


Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and Great Lakes speaker. She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has written three books about the Great Lakes [A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach *a Heartland Indie Bestseller*A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk *winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award*, and A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure]. To learn more about her work, or to book her as a speaker, go to http://LakeTrek.com

I met author Carol Trembath at my speaking engagement at the Ann Arbor Library this summer.

Carol had just finished writing a children's book called "Water Walkers." Recently, she sent me a copy to review.



It's a beautiful picture book inspired by Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, an Anishinaabe member and founder of the Mother Earth Water Walkers. She and her group began walking around the Great Lakes in 2003 and have walked thousands of miles encircling these waters and calling for their healing and protection.


There are beautiful illustrations and a wonderful story centered around a young girl, Mai, who walks with her grandmother around the lakes. Along the way, she learns much about our lakes and the people and creatures who depend on these waters. The book also has useful information for teachers in the back.

To learn more about Water Walkers, go HERE.

Many resources in the back of the book


I learned about Mandamin when I was in the middle of my first hike encircling Lake Michigan. I am inspired by her endeavors and passion for our Great Lakes. Here is a video of Mandamin talking about her Water Walks:







Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Radio!

My book tour took me to Chicago and Milwaukee this fall and I was interviewed on several radio programs. "Live from the Heartland" is a unique show that broadcasts from the Heartland Cafe on the north side of Chicago. 



 Hosts Thom Clark and Michael James "Live from the Heartland" on WLUW

Interview at the Heartland Cafe




Hosts and guests on last Saturday's show

Then I went to the 27th floor of the Prudential Building where I was interviewed by Susan Wiencek at WTMX/WSHE.


Susan Wiencek at WTMX-WSHE FM

In Milwaukee, I had a wonderful talk with Susan Bence at WUWM (Milwaukee's Public Radio affiliate) along the shore of Lake Michigan.

Susan gets her mobile recording gear from her Mini Cooper



We hiked the shore south of the city and could look back to see the skyline




Susan conducted the interview while I took this photo




Susan is all geared up for the walk-and-talk


The shoreline looking south


Go HERE to listen to this walking interview.


Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and Great Lakes speaker. She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures exploring the Great Lakes and has written three books about the Great Lakes [A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach *a Heartland Indie Bestseller*A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Walk *winner of the Great Lakes Great Reads Award*, and A 1,000-Mile Great Lakes Island Adventure]. To learn more about her work, or to book her as a speaker, go to http://LakeTrek.com