I love maps, part 1...

I do. Very much so. Funny thing is that I could sit for hours with an atlas in my hands. No kidding. 

That's not weird, is it?

Maps...make me dream about going places. Of seeing something new.
Of an adventure.

And this is no exception.

This map is of the Columbia River during Asku's time. The fictional tribes are from my novel, For My People: Awacha Nay. 

The land marks and topography are the real deal. 

Katie Stewart of Magic Owl Design is quite an amazing artist. I wanted the look of 19th century maps like that of Lewis & Clark, but on a grander scale. Obviously L&C could not look down on the PNW and draw a map like this. The maps that exist from that expedition are bits and pieces. Katie took those bits and pieces and created this!

You will not find any dams with their gigantic man made lakes behind them here. Sorry, no windsurfing on this map! You won't find even the beginnings of cities...nor railroads...nor ferry docks...

Not even a mission.

What you will find, if you look carefully:

• Palouse Falls
• the Snake River
• Mt. Adams
• Mt. St. Helens
• Mt. Hood
• even the majestic Mt. Rainier of my home

Somethings are the same, 
as they always have been...