‘Journeys Across Niagara’

When a faded picture from a by-gone era sets in motion a perilous quest…

…five young men not only encounter harrowing danger in the forbidden Niagara Gorge, but must confront the swirling illusions of the world they knew – changing their lives forever.

The day we decided to go down into the gorge of Niagara Falls—to walk on the ice bridge—had started out normal enough but quickly showed itself as anything but normal …

Living in the City of Niagara Falls in the early 1960s, winters were simple for teenagers – like snowball fights and warm-ups at “Ol’ Gordy’s” general store, and arguing over his “wall of pictures.” It’s a ritual—sipping Cokes while studying the old photographs … listening to Ol’ Gordy’s tales..and dreaming about the daredevils of old.

Then, on a frigid February morning, all that changed. An ice ball to Kevin’s face, and a funny looking picture, snatched from Ol’ Gordy’s wall, sets in motion a journey from which they will never recover. Despite Ol’ Gordy’s warnings (or perhaps because of them) that, not only is it extremely dangerous, but against the law, they secretly vow to venture forth and walk on – the ice-bridge of Niagara Falls.

The ice-bridge of Niagara Falls – an aberration of nature—steeped in history – fraught with tragedy – challenged through the ages, by daredevils, bootleggers and tourists alike – lures them from the world they know into the depths of the mysterious Niagara Gorge. As in a time machine, they enter an exhilarating bygone world of impassable rapids, massive frozen sculptors and unassailable walls of ice.

Coming face-to-face with the mighty Falls itself, from the bottom looking up, as it proclaims its dominion over them, they find themselves in a struggle of life and death with a Niagara they never knew existed.

Peeling back time, along the way we encounter others, who had made their own journeys across Niagara in eras gone by. We’re there when the ‘Hermit of Niagara’, living on top of the mighty Falls itself, finds his destiny in becoming one with the water. Years later, we stand in awe on the day Niagara stood still and explore a riverbed never before walked on by man – until the water returns – sealing the mystery of the flute.

We follow the journey of the feather, and witness slavery through the eyes of a runaway slave girl, as she rides the ‘Underground Railroad’ - seeking to find the bridge to freedom and paying the fare to ride that train.

We march to the beat of the drum and the chant of the the tom-tom, as nations clash and cultures collide when the journey of a British drummer boy converges with that of a young Iroquois brave at the brutal and bloody “Devil’s Hole” massacre.

‘Journeys across Niagara’ (previously titled: ‘Bridges -a Tale of Niagara’ and recipiant of the Readers Favorite 2011 Silver medal for General Fiction YA), is much more than a simple tale of camaraderie and adventure shared by young men. It a  tale that is rich in both historical fact and fiction, weaving a series of unique historical events, in a twist of mystery and revelation, with a group of 1962 teens, caught up in the complexities of a changing world around them. While each struggles with his own inner demons and angels – together they face the demons and angels of the Niagara Gorge.

It is my hope that you enjoy the journeys, and that you hear the crack of the ice, while feeling the tremor beneath your feet travel up your loins, knowing the mighty Niagara is reaching to claim you as well. ‘Journeys’ is a kaleidoscope of adventure and history, exploring the questions confronting people of all ages and from all times.

The earth is forever, and we’re just visitors—and only for a short time at that. By the time we begin to understand enough about the world to ask the right questions, our visit is over, and someone else is asking the same questions.

Until Next Time:

Embrace Life’s Bridges – For they Define Who You Are

DK Levick

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WAS THERE REALLY A ‘HERMIT OF NIAGARA’?

Hello Friends…

I trust you have all been well and good.

I’ve been asked lately about an embedded story in my novel “Bridges – a Tale of Niagara”   http://www.bridgesataleofniagara.com/ which recounts a strange man called the Hermit of Niagara, whether he was a real person or if I just made him up.

Let’s talk about him a little today…

WAS THERE REALLY A ‘HERMIT OF NIAGARA’?

Oh yes! There certainly was.

He came from England – he lived on Goat Island – he was musically talented – he frolicked in the brink of Niagara Falls – he spoke to no one – and he’s buried in Niagara Falls.

“He was real enough, fellas—a certified nut case for sure, but real all the same he was. Lived on Goat Island all by himself, ya know. Didn’t talk to no one, and he sure ’nough died there, too. The Hermit of Niagara is what they called him.” Ol’ Gordy; Bridges – a Tale of Niagara

Arriving in June of 1829, Francis Abbott shunned society. The villagers had this knowledge of him: He was an English gentleman. He was educated, skilled in music and drawing. He had visited Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France. He wrote in Latin but destroyed his compositions. After his death, when the towns people investigated his hut they found his dog guarding the door (which took considerable effort to remove) and his cat on the bed. There was a guitar, a violin, some flutes, and a number of music books scattered about. The pages were blank. He explored Goat Island extensively, which was a thick forest at the time and had relative solitary confinement due to the only access being a scary bridge crossing the fierce rapids.

“A narrow, rickety foot bridge crossed the treacherous rapids, dividing the mainland from the island. Few dared cross it—so violent were the rapids below, so unstable was the bridge—as it were mere yards away from the brink.” The Hermit’s Story; Bridges – a Tale of Niagara

He did, in fact, find and live in a small log cabin that had been previously erected by a pioneer family before the island was purchased by Peter and Augustus Porter. He lived in it for almost two years before being evicted by the Porters.

Did he hang on to those boards over the Falls like in the book?

According to many witness reports – he did!

The sketch below is the one that ‘Sam’ bought in the novel and was drawn by James Edward Alexander in 1831, shortly after the hermit’s death.  Look closely and you’ll see the Hermit hanging off the wooden planks located on the brink of the Falls at Terrapin Point.

“The walkway ended in a single twelve-foot beam, a mere ten inches wide, extending out like an accusing finger from the tempest. Francis walked the length of the beam for hours, as if strolling down a country road. Spectators were shocked and fearful and often broke into hysteria. He’d sit on the end of the beam, dangling his legs over the edge, and on occasion, he’d suspend himself off the beam, kicking his feet into the roaring maelstrom that spewed and tumbled down past him. Women swooned and fainted; brave men trembled, their knees buckling as they watched Francis casually pull himself back onto the beam with no more concern than if he was rising from his dinner table.” The Hermit’s Story;  Bridges – a Tale of Niagara

Did he really drown in Niagara?
Yes he did – but by the best accounts – he didn’t drown going over the Falls. I took a little literary license with that. After getting booted off the island, he resumed his hermit lifestyle at the base of the Falls. It was down there on June 10th, 1831, he was observed ‘bathing’ by a passing ferryman who saw Francis go under the water surface and not come back up. A search for Francis was conducted – without success. On June 21st, 1831, the body of Francis Abbott did surface at Fort Niagara and he was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, New York.

There is a headstone but it’s been knocked over and neglected so that it is unreadable now. It read:.

“Francis Abbott, the Hermit of Niagara Died June 10, 1831 He died in his 28th year” 

What happened? Suicide or accident? 
“What, it will be asked, could have broken up and destroyed such a mind as Francis Abbott’s? What could have driven him from the society he was so well qualified to adorn — and what transform him, noble in person and in intellect, into an isolated anchorite, shunning the association of his fellow-men? The history of his misfortunes is not known, and the cause of his unhappiness and seclusion will, undoubtedly, to us be ever a mystery.”  New York Mirror 1890

Of interest is that found on a rock on Luna Island was the following inscription:

“All is Change, Eternal Progress, No Death”

Did the hermit leave this?

Why was he here?

What was he looking for – or running away from?
To this day, no one knows.  ‘The Hermit’s Cascade’, located between Goat Island and First Sister Island, is named after Francis Abbott, the Hermit of Niagara. If you’d like to read further about the ‘hermit’ let me suggest the following:

“Niagara – A History of the Falls” by Pierre Berton

www.niagarafrontier.com

New York Times article:  July 6, 1875   http://bit.ly/qmnKK6

The Montreal gazette   Oct. 29, 1948      http://bit.ly/mOXxUm

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What have I been doing lately?

Well, on a personal note, I’m been overwhelmed with a couple of things, not important here but they’ve taken up a great deal of my time.

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Meanwhile - I’ve published another short story on Amazon and Smashwords titled:  ”The Man in the Painting”. Take a look at it and leave a review.  Use this code during the next week and get it free on smashwords:  FA24C

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Also, I’ve been writing two projects simultaneously. First, is a new novel that I’m not ready to tell you about yet. Suffice it to say it’ll be quite different from my previous work.

Second, is something quite similar to my previous work, which I’ll tell you about next time. (I know, I didn’t talk about either one. Sorry… what can I say?)

Until Next Time:

Embrace Life’s Bridges – For they Define Who You Are

dk Levick

 

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Book Review: THE TRUST by Sean Keefer

Welcome back to the Thursday Post of  ’Writing in the Woods’

This week we’re going to take a breather from building the ‘ark’ or ‘walking the gorge’ and we’re going to do a book review. Oh, I know – book reviews can be dry and boring. Not this time! Not when it’s reviewing a fast paced, mystery that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat…’Trust‘ me.

The great thing about the paradigm that’s transforming the publishing industry is that new voices are rising and new talents are being heard. We’re going to look at the work of one of these new talents whom we’ll be hearing a lot more from as time goes by.

So, come along with me and lets look at:

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The Trust

by Sean Keefer.

Book Description

“To attorney Noah Parks, the probate of a will should be a simple task. But the Last Will and Testament of Leonardo Xavier Cross is anything but simple. Though Parks has never heard of Cross, he learns that the Will directs that he provide the legal representation for the estate and as part of his fee he receive the contents of a safety deposit box – a safety deposit box no one knew existed. Intrigued, Parks undertakes the task but after the body count begins to rise the otherwise basic task of probating the will becomes more complicated as each day passes. Despite all of Parks’ skills, the answers he seeks remain elusive and force him to delve deeper into the shocking and deceptive Cross’ family history which sets the stage for an explosive finale that Parks can only hope to survive.”

 

What’s the recipe for a good summer read?

Well – what could be better than a good, ‘ol southern legal thriller?

Start with a nice quiet law practice in colorful, historic Charleston, South Carolina. Now, populate it with all-around good-guy lawyer (yes there really is such a thing), Noah Parks. He’s not making a million, but then he’s not trying to neither. Life is good for Noah. He’s had his problems, true, but then who hasn’t?  Now, toss in his Aussie dog Austin and add a flirty legal assistant and you have the perfect quiescent setting just ripe for a bomb to drop in from out of the blue.

And author, Sean Keefer, unleashes a cluster-bomb in the form of a demanding, condescending, hotshot Chicago lawyer, an eccentric dead millionaire, a mysterious probate request, a group of dysfunctional heirs and the mystery of a safe deposit box - right square into Noah’s lap.

Mix it all up - pop it into the oven and you have the makings of a hot, page-turning, beach-chair, summer read.

Until the bodies start stacking up when you’ll need to hit the surf to cool off.

Here’s a preview:

Book Trailer for The Trust:

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Author Sean Keefer, making his début entry into the literary world, has produced an engaging, dynamic tale of intrigue, mystery and suspense.

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The Book that Inspires Me the Most

This weeks blog post is in conjunction with the Blog-A-licious Blog Tour. I am pleased to be on the tour along with some very interesting and informative writers. At the bottom of this post will be a listing of the addresses of the other bloggers discussing this weeks subject. I encourage you to visit them also.

Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope you enjoy it and sign up to follow it.

The topic for this week’s Blog-A-licious Blog Tour is:

Okay, dk – what book inspires you the most? Wow! That’s a tough one. Kinda like going to a Baskin’s Ice Cream parlor and having to choose one flavor for the rest of your life.

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Book Review: “The King Whisperers” or ‘Psssst – hey King,did you hear about…?!’

Hand someone a book about ‘history’ and more times than not they break out into uncontrollable shaking, floundering in a quagmire of forgotten names, dates and places. Upon learning the book was written by a ‘Professor’, brain cells explode in panic as they mentally smell the dry dust whiffing up from the crinkled, yellowed pages. “History? Oh God, no. Dull, boring, meaningless ‘History’! Why me God?’ they cry out in despair.

Yes, we’ve been conditioned well to view history as a succession of names, places and times committed to memory, that might as well exist on Mars for as much relevance placed on them.

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Thank you – Mister King

In retrospect, it seems fitting  there was a dark, turbulent storm in progress, the day I went into the used book store, in Ann Arbor, Michigan (yes there are still such things in this digital, e-book world).  I had just finished the second draft of my novel,  “Bridges – a Tale of Niagara” and was feeling pretty pleased with myself and was ready to send it into the meat grinder of agent queries.

Oh – how foolish we mortals are!

Luckily for me, after I’d found the book I was seeking in the musty book store, it was still pouring and thundering outside, so I decided to kill some time rummaging through a bin of yellowed, smelly paperbacks, while waiting for the storm to subside. Digging around, I wasn’t too impressed with the cast-off fodder in the bin when, to my amazement,  I found a book from Stephen King that I had never heard of before. How could this be? A Stephen King novel I didn’t know about? And so old it was in the ‘Bargain Basement’ bin of discarded paperbacks? I was shocked – how did I miss this?

The book was titled:  “On Writing – A Memoir Of The Craft”.

What’s this? A horror story about a writer gone over to the dark side? Hmmm, “Craft” , huh? Must be about some writer who gets involved with witchcraft. Must also really be bad for me not to have heard of it, I thought.

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City of Dreams

City of Dreams

Author: William Martin

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from both the aspect of storytelling and writing style.

Martin’ s taken a page of American history many of us know about (the American Revolution), focusing on a tiny slice of it most of us know nothing about. When one thinks of the fascinating history of the American Revolution, and all the tragic and triumphant colorful events surrounding it, the last thing that comes to mind is the use of war bonds to provision George Washington’s army. In a setting alive with the details and minutia of early America, he brings events out of the history books into the real world with the development of characters who think, breathe and act like people we can identify with. We follow the ancient mystery of the paper notes through 200 years of evolving society while also unraveling the modern mystery Peter Fallon is confronted with in the midst of a global financial crisis. His research and background material about the City of New York, its design, layout and evolution gives the book great credibility coupled with insight and a sense of discovery. His characters bring a dead subject alive with details. Especially enjoyable was the manner in which he tied the story together from the Revolutionary era into the present day.

Very well done. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it.

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