Author Archives: al kesselheim

On a recent October weekend in Billings, Montana, two of my books – Let Them Paddle and Montana: Real Place, Real People were finalists for awards. There were more than 200 books entered in the various award categories, which ranged … Continue reading →

Ruby riding bow on the Marias River in Montana, a few years before high school. A few years ago Ruby made it very clear that she had no interest in the usual high school celebrations or gifts. What she wanted, … Continue reading →

  Call it parental revelation. The three of them range out in front, dots of colorful energy bushwhacking across the tundra above 10,000’, deep in the Washakie Wilderness of northern Wyoming. Ruby, 11, Sawyer, 13, and Eli, 14. They look … Continue reading →

I suppose it isn’t all that unique. Many people, especially since 2008, have had that kick in the gut moment when they show up at the office and the office is no longer. For me, it was a few months … Continue reading →

It began even before the kids were born . . . On the shores of Lake Athabasca, more than twenty years ago, Marypat finally got pregnant after years of miscarriages and infertility. We were halfway through a dark winter in … Continue reading →

Velma McMeekin died of a heart attack on July 4, 2012, getting ready to go on the river. What else would she be doing? When she was late to the rendezvous, a friend came to the house and found her … Continue reading →

I Sunday morning, so the traffic is light, by Nairobi standards. Which is to say that it might only take 45 minutes to drive from Ronald’s apartment, on the airport side of town, to visit Wilberforce’s family, on the other … Continue reading →

Internet has been spotty and intermittent, so we haven’t had much opportunity to add posts. Besides, it’s been busy and exotic, enough so that’s it’s hard to get in the frame of mind to sit at a computer. It’s Saturday … Continue reading →

I woke up this morning thinking, “I’m leaving for Africa. Today!” Leaving the kids in charge, taking an exotic journey the likes of which MP and I haven’t ever done together. Wilderness adventure, sure, but this?? We travel standby to … Continue reading →

Much of my writing career has been devoted to writing about me! As I sometimes say, ‘I’m writing my autobiography bit by bit, trip by trip.’ For the past decade, although I continue to chronicle adventures and experiences, I have … Continue reading →