Adventure is Waiting in the Wings
When I found out I had been chosen to tour for TD Canadian Children's Book Week in November/09, I was thrilled. I'd toured once before, and I still remember how intense and exhausting it was. On the other hand, I also still remember how thrilling and rewarding it was. So when I learned I was going to Quebec -- a place I have always wanted to visit -- I was ecstatic. Visons of Quebec City, Montreal, and Trois Rivieres floated through my mind. This was going to be great.
Well, a few days ago I found out where I shall actually be touring. Quebec City? Non. Montreal? Non. Trois Rivieres. Non.
I am going to be visiting the Lower North Shore. I'm ashamed to say that until three days ago I had never even heard of the Lower North Shore. Just shows you how small my world is -- about 10' by 10' -- the area of my office.
So I zipped onto the Internet and started searching, and let me tell you, the Lower North Shore is there -- BIG TIME! It lies in the mouth of the mighty St. Lawrence River across from the Gaspe Peninsula and adjacent to Newfoundland. It is made up of a string of tiny villages, in a region associated with the early Canadian fur trade!
The photos on the Net are awesome. The landscape is rugged, but breathtaking. Imagine an iceberg at your doorstep or a whale performing outside your window.
Roads aren't abundant -- which means I shall be travelling from village to village via small planes and helicopter.
All I can say is, "Wow!" I am stoked. This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime. My audiences will be smaller than most I present to, but that means we are going to get to know each other very, very well. These visits will be more intimate and telling than any others I have ever done. I know in my heart that I shall remember the experience always, and I shall do my best to make the time just as wonderful for my audiences.