Big Rapids ~~ Big Gifts!

I recently had an event at Great Lakes Book & Supply in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Friends (Jan & Diann) from Three Rivers took a road trip to Big Rapids to see me!

You may remember that master woodcarver Bette Hartig lives in this city. She carved a wondrous walking staff for me and presented it to me at my last event at the bookstore.

This time, she presented me with a custom walking stick chronicling my 

GREAT LAKES ISLAND ADVENTURE.

Bette Hartig & me with the two walking sticks

Head of walking stick

Top of stick with custom grip

The covers of all three books adorn the stick along with the tracks of many Great Lakes animals and birds

Now I have a pair of custom sticks...more ART for my home

I LOVE the Indies!!

I had a fantastic weekend Up North celebrating my sister's birthday with a bunch of her wild friends.

Happy Birthday, Leslie!

While on the road, I stopped in at several bookstores to tell them about the March 2011 release date for my book

A 1,000-Mile Walk on the Beach.

During the Lake Trek, I stopped in at many bookstores along the lakeshore. Driving around the state has given me the freedom to visit stores farther inland.

I stopped in at Great Lakes Books & Supply in Big Rapids, Local Flavor Books in Boyne City, Round Lake Book Store in Charlevoix, and Saturn Booksellers in Gaylord.


Check out the links in the sidebar to get to each stores' website!

I also visited some stores I'd hiked to last year including Horizon Books in Traverse City, McLean & Eakin in Petoskey, The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague.

Books + coffee = PERFECTION

I tried to visit the stores in Grand Haven, but Washington Street is all torn up for the brand new snow melt system they are installing under the sidewalks. Looks like the place to do some holiday shopping (once the construction is complete!).

So, I found my way to the beach to enjoy the waves and mild weather.










The official March launch of my book will be at Brilliant Books in Suttons Bay, Friday, March 11, 2011.