There be Monsters…

It was Thanksgiving and my book, River Spirit, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NZX4L8M, was nearly complete. Amazon had the final files and all that remained was the upcoming book launch. Many people think that if you got a book published, the publisher printed up the big signs, delivers the books to the bookstores, and sends out the press releases for the book signings. I believed the author just sat back and went on an exciting ride. However, I was wrong. The author does all that other stuff too, and the promotion part of my job was about to start.

River Spirit is my tenth book. I’ve enjoyed the adventure before, and I know what it takes.  I also know when to put down the pen and take a breather. While all the files were loading into Amazon’s monster brain. I took a day to visit some other monsters.

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The Bernheim Research Forest in central Kentucky is a 16,000-acre preserve with over 3 million trees. Check it out at: https://bernheim.org/  I counted a few of them following the trails and walkways with family enjoying a nature trek. Our goal was to visit the Forest Giants that sat along the Two Ponds Trail.

Thomas Drambo, a Danish artist known mostly for creating art from discarded items, created the giants. The Forest Giants celebrate the Bernheim Forest’s 90th birthday. They will be on display until they eventually deteriorate, estimated to be about 3 or 4 years.

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There are three giants in Bernheim, Mama Loumari and her children. The first child, Little Nis is close to the research center. It’s a short walk, mostly all paved. If you continue on the trail, Little Elina is about a mile away. We hiked paths and crossed over bridges, along a well-marked trail and met another giant, Mama Loumari. Later on the scenic trail, we encountered Elina, with her stepping stone meadow. Our afternoon trip allowed us to visit all three Forest Giants at an easy pace.

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Getting away from the house revitalized me. A couple miles of walking in the woods helped clear the mind and prepare me for the promotional blitz to come. Meeting the Forest Giants was great fun and I suggest when you need a healthy break to go visit the Bernheim Forest and meet the giant family.