Westward Ho!

And since my 6th and latest book is Underground Treasures of the Black Hills – Tour Caves, Mammoths, Mines, Museums & More, this means a book signing business tour for distribution and promotional purposes to the Black Hills area is a prerequisite. In other words, . . . . road trip.  This project will require most of the month of June. Yeah, as long as I am on the road anyway I’ll try to see and do a couple of “other” things. This I estimate will take an additional time investment of 3 ½ months in duration. In other words . . . . see ya September 30th.

There is a tradition that before people go on long trips they have a bon voyage party. It’s times like these I decide to be a traditionalist. In fact, I really get into the sprit by throwing two parties. The parties are held back to back on a single weekend. 

The first party is a sneak preview book party. It is held on a Friday night at my friend Pat’s home on “The Hill”. The people at this party consist mostly of family and close friends. Food and drinks are served, I tell stories and the guests get the first peek at the new book (or books).

The second party is always on a Saturday afternoon and always at Ari’s Restaurant on The Hill.  They have good food and service there and the owner Tim greets all of his customers.  Again, plenty of food and drink, I just don’t have to serve it. This second party is always open to the public. Sometimes there is press, other writers and occasionally a small publisher or book distributor. Again I tell stories and of course, sign books. 

This year I added a book signing. It was the very next day, Sunday afternoon at Meramec Caverns. It was a lot of fun. The cave is large, beautiful, well decorated, and for a Missouri summer, just the right temperature and well worth visiting. It is only one hour from St. Louis. And now they have added a Zipline, tons of fun. Check them out. 

Next I’ll drive down to the family’s place near Lake of the Ozarks. This is where the truck gets loaded down with camping gear and such. It’s also a chance to do a little fishing. We have ½ acre pond with bass, bluegill and catfish. Fish of choice, catfish.

Around May 30th I’ll leave the Ozarks for a road trip West. First stop, the Black Hills. This is also where the trip will end. Over the next three months I’ll make a big sweeping circle that will end in the Black Hills. My last event is scheduled there for September 25th. A group of Rhodes Scholars will be at the Hot Springs Mammoth site working on a dig. I have been allowed to join the operation for a day. This should keep damage to a minimum. Even if I’m only allowed to empty waste cans, the thought of working at a world class Mammoth dig has filled me with all of the excitement of a little kid waiting for Christmas.

After the dig I plan a return to that wonderful place in the Ozarks, unload the truck and then if they’ll let me back in, to St. Louis.  There is no return party, maybe I should start a new tradition? 

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Next time:       On The Road Again