Roots in the Land

Written from the perspective of the boy and only son, the author recalls many, many of his experiences growing up on a small, family-owned, farm in southwestern Minnesota. The setting primarily spans the turbulent decades of the 1960s and early 1970s. Many memories, stories, anecdotes, detailed and vivid descriptions, and imagery are preserved for the enjoyment of family, friends, and those generations of readers who are curious about what life was really like on the small farm in the "old days." This life experience bestowed the author with the famous Midwestern Work Ethic and a set of values that were important in later life. The story is not "sugar-coated" but honest and faithful regarding the realities of farm life as experienced in those days. Finally, the author provides an excellent narrative of the forces and influences that led to his decision to leave the farm and to explore new places, new relationships, and new and exciting experiences.

About the Author -: Doug Brosseau was born and raised on a small, family-owned, dairy, chicken, hog and cash crop farm in southwestern Minnesota. After making the difficult decision to leave the farm, he enrolled in and obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota. Doug's early life on the farm taught him both a strong work ethic as well as a growing and maturing environmental ethic and love of the natural world.

While he pursued his engineering career in a number of states, Doug immersed himself in nature and travel experiences. Early travels in the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area led to many, many more lake excursions in northern Minnesota, as well as river trips on both quiet-water and white-water canoe outings in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. He also enjoyed simple forms of tent camping while on bicycling, motorcycling and river trips throughout those areas.

In his mid-twenties, Doug felt compelled to explore the western United States while he was still young and healthy. This drive to see and experience led to a three-month hiking and backpacking trip in 1979 to many of the most remote and majestic wilderness areas of the West. That lengthy introduction to wild places led to a life-long pursuit of backpacking, day hiking, and walking among nature's wonders. In 1982, Doug also planned and took another trip completely around the United States, this time on motorcycle. Pulling an unheard-of (at that time) utility trailer behind a small Yamaha 650, he successfully toured most of the United States on a memorable 20,000-mile journey of discovery. Doug has lived and worked in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area for over thirty years. Together with his wife of twelve years, Doug continues to enjoy hours of walking and hiking and a simple lifestyle.

keywords: Minnesota, Farm, Family, Stories, Work, Play, Ethic, Experiences, Values, Roots