William J. Ballard, the pride and joy of Sandpoint, Idaho has a very undervalued talent. He has the ability to make a reader smile, belly laugh or break into spasms of tear-induced laughter, then, in a split second cause that same reader to recall moments out of his or her past that lies buried under the dust of almost forgotten memories. This rare talent is much needed in our warp-speed world of international turmoil and hi-tech living. For a few precious moments we can join William and his cast of unforgettable characters in a place where life has no shades of grey. His work is a collection...

One couple, with their friends, climb the Adirondack 46, and more, of New York State's highest mountains. Developing a love for backpacking and camping they also complete the Northville-Placid Trail (over 120 miles) and go on to the Long Trail in Vermont and the Appalachian Trail in several states. The author shares experiences on the trails with gear deficiencies, inclement weather, injuries and animal encounters, balanced with glorious mountaintop sunrises and sunsets, sandy beaches on remote lakes and evening comradely around the campfire with the occasional cup of "Twang." Mr. Ballard is...