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North to the Frey
I am excited to announce that I am currently working on a new book. Think Treasure Island meets My Side of the Mountain in a tale of adventure. In the midst of a global pandemic, Jo finds himself called to the wild waters of northwest Michigan, ready to fulfill his childhood dream of living off the land on North Manitou. Jo has heard rumors of treasure on the islands and he's surprised to find he's not the only one searching for it. I invite you to come away with me, lets get lost in adventure together.
Character Description (Chapter 1): Josiah
I was seventeen in that picture. Brown hair, brown eyes, with just a bit of stubble starting to peak out. I look a little more like my grandpa than my dad I thought, but I have my dads spirit. I've always been moved from someplace deep inside to venture out and see new things, to paddle further and hike longer. My dad always understood that there are beautiful places that can't be reached by boat or car. "If you're going to experience the wildest areas, you have to research, train, and go," he would say. "The best adventures take you further! Far out, past the point where most decide it's too hard, or not worth it. Others turn back." My dad never turned back. Neither will I.
The Ballad of Eli Frey
Not all that glitters is gold
Though sunrays sparkle on the sea
These are truths ancient poets have told
Below the waves, what could there be
Below the waves, oh what could there be
Men travel miles, sunsets to see
Eyes focus at all things bright
The deep oh it calls, in darkness will be
True treasure of old, swallowed by night
True treasure of old, swallowed by night
The lazy impatiently settle for sight
But those who peer further secure their fate
Good things come to all who wait
You are just at the start of beauty's gate
You're just at the start of beauty's gate
But not all that glitters is gold
Not all that glitters is gold
Oh these are the things that your heart has foretold
It don't take a man whose greying and old
The young can take risks for youth can be bold
But, not all that glitters is gold
Not all that glitters is gold
The Rescue (Chapter 3)
The ship was rusty and grey, an old fishing trawler, the kind I'd read about catching whitefish in the great lakes in the 50's and 60's. Sometimes my dad and I would hang our legs off the edge of the pier in town and watch the last few commercial vessels in service come back from a successful days catch. This particular boat had seen better days. Over 25 feet long, with a steering cockpit that stood 12 feet above the waterline. The boat bobbed heavily, up and down, left and right. I expected to see the whole ship go under and my rescue to fail, but it never submerged further than the three portholes in the cabin under the helm. As I grew closer I could see "INTO THE FREY" written on the bow, just below a rigging cleat. I didn't know what "frey" meant, but I'd venture to guess this boat was in the "frey" right now.
I'd prayed and hoped for a bright orange coast guard ship. Maybe even a helicopter with search lights and divers. My rescue would be a humble one, but I welcomed it. Now my focus turned from the ship to my rescuer. He stood on the side deck near the rear of the boat. Two-thirds of his body was hidden behind the bulwarks. He pulled the rope, hand over hand, battling the drag of the lake that tugged on me. Five minutes seemed like an hour, but before I knew it two huge bear sized paws grabbed my life vest and I was on the deck lying on my back. Seconds later I heard the loud ker-thump of my kayak joining me.
Character Description: (Chapter 4)
Eli Frey
Eli must be in his late 60's or early 70's. With a weathered face, his cracks and crevices showed he had seen his share of the outdoors. He resembled some of the handsome men you see on the covers of hunting magazines. His scraggly grey beard betrayed his good looks, contrasting his dark brown hair and giving an unkempt appearance. It was hard not to look into his bright blue eyes as he spoke. I got the feeling I'd stared a bit too long and turned away.
