There have been many stories written about the mountain men of the fur trade era in the western mountains. It was an exciting time in our history. As the fur trade died out and hundreds and thousands of pilgrims headed west in wagon trains to their new lives, many passed through the area south of the Michigan Territory. In the 1830's and 1840's northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan were wild places sparsely inhabited. The people who decided to explore and settle there had to be just as hearty and adventurous as those who chose to go further west. While the places in this story are all real, the characters are fiction. I hope the reader finds this story, which takes place in a different part of our country during those exciting times, to be enjoyable.

Here are Michael Tougias's adventures at a tiny A-frame cabin on six acres of land overlooking a pond in Northern Vermont. There he meets porcupines that have taken up residence directly underneath his outhouse, encounters the colorful locals, and learns that nature has a way of becoming our instructor. This funny, honest, and personal account is the perfect book for anyone who loves the outdoors and loves to laugh. Book jacket.

Thoroughly revised and updated, the fifth edition of the Rough Guide to Canada covers this vast and geographically diverse country in impressive detail. There are insightful accounts of every Canadian city, from vibrant Montréal to laid back Vancouver, and vivid descriptions of Canada''s varied landscapes, from the magnificent Rocky Mountains and the stormy coasts of the Maritimes to the northern Arctic reaches. Throughout there is practical advice on skiing, whale-watching, kayaking, hiking and a host of other outdoor pursuits. Thousands of listings recommend the best accommodation options, restaurants, bars and clubs in every price range.