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

Great Lakes Book & Supply: Presentation of carved walking stick

In June I had an event at 

Great Lakes Book & Supply in Big Rapids, Michigan.

It was there that master woodcarver, 

Bette Hartig, 

presented me with a walking stick 

that she created for me.

Accepting the walking stick from Bette Hartig (right)

A map of my first adventure around Lake Michigan

This is more than a walking stick, though, it is a work of art that chronicles my adventures. 

The state flag 

My second adventure

It even has a compass embedded in the top so I never lose my way.

Compass above the Mackinac Bridge

Bette in her workshop

After the event, Bette invited me to see where she created the walking stick. She has an amazing workshop where she teaches others the art of carving wood.

Bette with her table saw

I was deeply moved by this gift and grateful that Bette shares my love of the Great Lakes.

A bit of carving advice from Bette:

Tales from the Book Tour: 4 Events in 4 Days!

I traveled Michigan's midsection this week touring with my book. It's always fun to meet people who care about our Great Lakes!  I had events in Glen Arbor, Alpena, Big Rapids and East Tawas.

Alpena Public Library

I also had time to poke around the old Rockport Mine for fossils.

Rockhounding at Rockport Mine

Pier at Rockport Mine

I spoke to the Rock, Gem and Mineral Club in Big Rapids. They meet at Ferris State University.

Science building at Ferris State

Petoskey stone (in the rough)

Boots, Books, and ROCKS 

Lecture venue in East Tawas (sponsored by the Friends of the Library in East Tawas)

Thanks to everyone who came out to hear me read or give a talk about our Great Lakes!

Tales from the BOOK TOUR...part 2

Unexpected Gifts of the BOOK TOUR

There are so many things to occupy everyone's time and energies these days, so seeing people file in to a bookstore or science museum, take a seat, and look up at ME waiting to hear about my adventure and my book...well, I consider that a gift.

And people have been exceedingly generous in their attendance and attentions at the beginning of my book tour these last few weeks. Most of my events have been packed and if anyone straggles in a little late, they've had to stand along the back wall. I am humbled and grateful for this response to my work.

Another thing that people have gifted to me has been THEIR stories of Lake Michigan. Sometimes they even bring a map and photos from their hikes and strolls along the shoreline (like in these two photos).

I met up with a couple in Suttons Bay who even brought along a photo collage of their walks to give to me. Jan and Bill Heston have walked many miles of my favorite stretch of shore from Frankfort north past their home in Glen Arbor.

The Hestons are a lively couple and they came to both of my events in Suttons Bay. A double gift of their presence and questions and smiles.




I had a meeting with Coryn Briggs who is the Director of Marketing for Black Star Farms. She brought her daughter to our breakfast meeting and the little girl quietly colored a picture of a birthday cake while her mother and I chatted.

When the meeting was over, the little girl solemnly gave me the picture of the cake! Since my kids are now 18 and 21, there is plenty of room on my fridge for this festive drawing!

At my first appearance for my book, Jessilyn (owner of Petoskey's wonderful McLean & Eakin Booksellers), was so intrigued with the section in my book entitled "Fascination with roadkill" that she gave me a copy of Roger M. Knutson's Flattened Fauna.

Needless to say, I was charmed by Mr. Knutson's cheeky treatment of roadkill. So charmed that I sent him a copy of MY book and he sent me a card which proves I am now a LIFELONG member of the society that counts and classifies roadkill.

Fantastic.

One of the people who attended my reading at McLean & Eakin brought me a pair of mittens that she had made. To keep your hands warm while you hike she said>>>

I was touched.

After discussing our mutual love of Bill Bryson's work, Lynn (owner of Great Lakes Book & Supply in Big Rapids) gave me a copy of In a Sunburned Country which I had not yet read.






I think it is a rare and special thing to return from a book tour so enriched by all these gifts.

Thank you all, and I look forward to meeting many more fans of Lake Michigan and good books (like Mr. Bryson's and Mr. Knutson's) along the way.



My sister Leslie joined me on the first leg of my book tour. This is a photo of us on the shores of Little Traverse Bay near Petoskey>>>

Keep checking my author appearances in the sidebar here or on my website: LakeTrek.com