The Adventures of Anderson
by
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About the Book
Set during and after World War II, Curtis Anderson,
is frequently joined by his three friends from Roosevelt
School in suspenseful adventures in Michigan’s
Upper Peninsula. Encumbered with wearing heavy
thick lensed glasses, and carrying a negative reputation
with his classmates, his challenge is to prove that
leadership and integrity are built by positive experiences.
Beginning with a solo ninety-mile bicycle trip as a twelve
year old, he is joined in the following years by his friends
rafting and ski jumping. Another solo trip in a home made
canoe takes him into a forest fire in Canada. In his sophomore
year in high school, the four boys find themselves trapped
in an iron mine tunnel.
Finally, entering their senior year in high school, they meet
an Amish family and are confronted with a different way of life.
Rebuilding an old Peogeot Bicycle together with Luke Miller,
and the big Mt. Zion Road Race brings the five boys to a fork
in the road. Mr. Miller tells the boys, “We hold to the belief of
humility. Competition has a way of promoting pride.” Luke
will not ride his bike in the race.
Will the only ten speed
bicycle in northern Michigan enter the race? Is sports
competition the glory of self? Curtis Anderson encounters
About the Author
Arlen Curtis Matson began life's journey in Michigan's Upper Peninsula during the iron mining era. Most of his childhood years were spent in Ironwood and Iron River. As the mines closed and the economy suffered, his family moved to Cadillac in the lower peninsula.
Wth the advent of the Korean War, he enlisted in the air force and shortly thereafter married his high school sweetheart, Arlene. After spending two of his four years in Morocco, he attended Central Michigan College graduating with a BS Degree in elementary education.
The next 32 years were spent in Traverse City raising a family of 5 children, and teaching at Old Mission Peninsula, Oak Park and Sabin Elementary Schools. His love for children, and the "great outdoors" identified him as a teacher. Every summer he would return with his family to the Upper Peninsula and its wilderderness places.
After his retirement from teaching, one of his 3 major goals was the writing of a book he promised his students. The ADVENTURES OF ANDERSON was born from the experiences he had as a boy. Set in the beautiful habitat of immense forests and prolific waterfalls surrounding Ironwood and Iron River, the spell of Lake Superior began to once again permeate Mr. Matson's craving to write. Much like the book, PADDLE TO THE SEA, his writing is a blend of informational adventure; however, in this case there is also the additional search for spiritual meaning.
He and Arlene reside in Traverse City on their 9 acres of nature. They continue to camp, hike and minister to their 19 grandchildren. Mr. Matson is a key leader in the development of the North Country Trail in northern Michigan, teacher in his church, and in 1994 founded the Grand Traverse Hiking Club along with his friends.