It has been a while since I have last written here. I’ve done some fishing, but as usual, not enough. Lots of factors are contributing to that: weather – lots of rain, high water, heat and humidity, low water; and my routine of fly tying for stacked-up orders. I am slowly catching up, but I’m still behind. Then there is outdoor work, the grass needs mowed, and other yard work is begging to be finished. My personal life and schedule with friends, the classic rock band I play drums for, and a wonderful new lady-friend relationship are all good. Next week, my daughter and three grandchildren are coming from Connecticut to visit for a week. Despite all that, I decided to pause from my tying today to help a friend, Dale A. Darling, of Drake, Colorado, by posting this article to present a book he wrote about the devastation he and his family suffered at the hands of Colorado’s horrific 2013 flooding.
His book is titled, High Waters: Colorado’s 2013 Flood. Here is the press release that Dale wrote:
“High Waters Colorado’s 2013 Flood presents a compelling personal account of the devastating September 2013 flood that surprised Coloradans and people around the world. Dale A. Darling brings passionate, insightful perspective that he and his wife, Shan, shared with their Drake neighbors during the flood, and with others during their own endeavor to recover following the destruction of their home and belongings.
Chapters include Beginnings, Flood, Evacuation, Returns, Perspective, The River and This Story, and 60 pictures. Specific anecdotes about what it’s actually like to experience a natural disaster will bring the event to life for interested, curious readers.”
“This 208 page book is written and designed to be read, to inveigle imaginations and to serve as an honest report about what is now considered one of Colorado’s harshest natural disasters.”
High Waters: Colorado’s 2013 Flood, front cover.
Dale A. Darling is the author of five previous books and numerous magazine and newspaper articles.
A little more personal introduction from Dale: “It’s been several months since I last wrote concerning Shan and I and the flood. Earlier, I mentioned that I was writing a book about the flood, and would like to announce that it is complete! We have copies to sell.”
“Shan and I bought a cabin near Drake, Colorado, in 2001; in 2007 it became our home. When we purchased the property we were told that it was not in the flood plain, that flood insurance was not required. In September 2013 steady rain over several days caused the Big Thompson River to rise, then flood and our home and 99% of what we owned were ruined or swept away.”
“High Waters is our story about what’s being called a 500-year flood. Being there is different than reading or hearing news clips, or seeing images shot from a helicopter. My report will put you with Shan and me and our neighbors so you can feel and smell the reality of being there; of the aftermath and what actually happens in spite of the pontificating and selective reports that circulate.”
High Waters Colorado’s 2013 Flood is available for $17.95 at www.riverforkpress.com, at bookstores, or in digital form at amazon.com.
As it stands, our only chance to recover from the flood will depend on book sales. If you’re interested, please visit my publishing web site www.riverforkpress.com
To go directly to the High Waters page, follow this link: http://riverforkpress.com/highwaters.html
The kindle version is available here: http://www.amazon.com/HIGH-WATERS-Colorados-2013-Flood-ebook/dp/B00KO3A5IA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1402595336&sr=1-1&keywords=High+Waters+Colorado%27s+2013+Flood
Dale’s closing words in his book announcement:
“Please share the links to buy the book with friends or groups. We’re discussing the idea of making presentations to interested groups, and trying to find stores or others who will help us sell the book. The printer is ready to print thousands of copies as required!”
I have never met Dale in person, but I’ve come to know him as a fellow fly tier and friend via the internet, and we also had some phone conversations and exchanged some lengthy e-mails back in early 2011. As Dale reached out to me, he helped me when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. I wanted to make this announcement in the hope that some of my readers will buy his book, and also share this information to help spread goodwill and assist Dale and his family getting back on their feet.
