Pop-Up Ends Midnight October 21
CVMA Book
A love letter to northern Ohio by way of forty-one microadventures
In the beginning, this book was an anniversary gift for my partner/wife, Susan: a bucket-list of CVNP hiking trails. And like our hiking shoes, we wore that bucket-list out fast. Over the next five years it broadened well beyond hiking and CVNP to become a journal of field trips to local outdoor adventures throughout northern Ohio. The field trips paired the microadventures with four more layers of local flavor: the food we ate, the music we listened to, the people we met and things Susan and I learned along the way about the land and its historical landscape. And then our son, Cooper, was killed in a car accident - and the book became something else as well - a love letter to northern Ohio.
"Cuyahoga Valley Microadventures is by leaps and bounds the finest writing I have seen about the Cuyahoga Valley and environs. Reading it evokes Stanley Tucci exploring the wonder of food in Italy. You touch the heart in so many unexpected ways. Seiberling, Regula and a guy named Cooper are beaming" - John D
"After your book, I now have such a warm spot in my heart for your part of the world" - Jane W
"Dude?! Been reading your CVMA book...Outstanding! First, who was the ghost writer? Just jiving. It's classic-rich Davidspeak with heart, humor, cleverness, depth, history. It's cathartic - and so thorough. That's coming from a Kenyon English Major...so you know. Send a copy to Outside Magazine. They should review.
Just amazing you big lug" - Chris A
"It was such a pleasure meeting you and Susan. I have been reading your book. It is a very cool concept, exceptionally executed. The writing is very good. You have mastered concise. It's engaging. And of course the photography gives perfect compliment. We have decided to do a "David's bucket list". It is wonderful to meet new friends. I admire both you and Susan. And I am delighted for the experience of your book" - Elaine M
"Packed with spirit and soul, it is. It's a beautiful contribution to the world and it's been a delight to know you and your family in the process" - Dr. Sarah
"Just finished leafing the book. Enjoying your writing! Who is Socrates? And what is the significance of the feather? Some high school friends and I have had a book club going for almost 3 years. Been a great way to stay connected. It's my turn and I told them I'd like them to read your book. And we're going to pick 3 adventures we've never done and do them together. If you have enough, can I buy 4 copies?" - Jimmy L
"CONGRATULATIONS on your ultra-inspiring book! I love the dedication page. I can't wait to tackle some of the trails and adventures" - Salli S
"David, I can't tell you how impressed I am at the book, and how honoured I am to have been able to play a part in it. I made a cup of tea, sat down, opened the first page - and went through to the very end of course. The dedication, the prologue and the epilogue are my favorites, but the rest is spectacular, too.
I love how you wove your grief journey sporadically into the microadventure stories. And because I know all of you, it was fun to see Michael and Maxwell and Mackenzie show up to imagine you and Susan on all these field trips.
I hope you're feeling incredibly proud of yourself, both for creating something beautiful and generous, something that lifts up so many people and projects and places and good things - and also because of the work you've done integrating Cooper's death.
High-five, three cheers, hip, hip, hooray - and if I had some champagne, I'd make a toast, too."
- Sarah, the death doula
Pop-Up Ends Midnight October 21