Having a teammate who provides the right mix of encouragement and discipline makes writing a book a bit less of a slog. When I sent my long-suffering editor, Gene Brissie, yet another email intended to dodge and stall on delivering the manuscript, full of promises that I’d “have a draft of the ms to you soon,” Gene replied with a single, graceful line: “Define draft and soon”
Ouch. It was exactly the sort of nudge I needed. So, for that, and countless other moments of support and encouragement, I’m grateful.
Due to my abysmal attendance record as a student and only a passing acquaintance with the rules of the English language, my writing often needs quite a bit of doctoring. Alden Perkins and Ann Seifert triaged my wounded prose to make it better; they have my humble thanks. Big props to all the good people at Globe Pequot and Rowman & Littlefield as well. Takes a crew to bring a book to life. Your efforts are appreciated.
For the cover design, thanks so much to Devin Watson. You captured the cartoonish essence of my life perfectly.
I’ve often thought of the folks who read early drafts of a book like royal food-tasters. They’re willing to take big mouthfuls of meals that may contain poison and kill them, or at the very least give them a regrettable case of diarrhea. And yet they do it, bravely, forgoing their own safety for the good of the reader. These rare souls deserve my thanks: Scott Wurdinger, Gail Storey, John Zecher, Mike Shonstrom, and Teresa Lynn Hasan-Kerr. Special gratitude in this category goes to Hasan-Kerr, who took more time and effort to work through various drafts than any sane human should. I’m so appreciative of her brilliance.
I’ve had the honor to work in outdoor education on and off for a long time. I’m grateful for every single kid I’ve had the pleasure to tromp around nature with. Thanks so much to everyone: Outward Bound, Pasadena Waldorf School, Gael Blair Academy, Odyssey Charter School, San Gabriel Mountaineering School, Aurora, Nomad Youth, and Champlain College. You guys made life a heck of a lot more fun than it would’ve been without you.
My father, Mike Shonstrom, has gifted me with more outdoor adventures than anyone. He’s taken me on so many wild outings, they’d need their own book to recount (like the time he nearly led my fiancé and me into a tornado on a bike ride—remember that one, Dad?). He and my stepmother Amy have my love and gratitude.
I don’t know who I’d be without my kids. Except I’d have a lot more money. But their love and laughter keep me going in every part of my life. I love them so damn much sometimes I don’t even know how to deal with myself. Vivien and Finn, you two are the center of my world.
And then there’s Cynthia, my wife. First reader, best friend, truest heart. Twenty years, and I wouldn’t trade a moment. Except maybe the time I tried to cook a whole raw chicken over a campfire in the desert and then had those, er, issues that night in our tent. Sorry about that. Anyway, her love and passions are fierce and burn bright; she’s the most fascinating person I’ve ever met. Can’t wait for whatever’s coming at us over the horizon.
Finally, you, my reader. You’ve got my book in your hands. Wherever you are, know that you’ve helped a goon like me achieve a lifelong dream. Thanks.