It was in Pennsylvania where the largest part of our 2004 book tour took place. In York County, arranged by the Martin Library, we visited schools and libraries ranging from those in center city York to those out in the countryside.
    The countryside of York County was very familiar to Deanna and me. Both of us grew up in nearby Pennsylvania counties. And we were close enough to Deanna’s home town to be able to stop and visit friends and family on some our days off. But we had few days off.
    Our whirlwind tour began at the Martin Library with one program. Then in the next 2 ½ weeks, we were taken to one school or library after another. Ore Valley school in the Dallastown area district, K-5 graders, made a statue of me riding a great big turtle. I had my fishing rod in my hand. The walls were decorated with posters and artwork from “All About” books made by the students.
Hanover Middle school, where I spoke to children from 5th to 8th grades, organized a special lunch with a group of students who had some very specific questions about art, writing and wildlife.
    York Haven Elementary School children did the Rattlesnake Dance, made a great ARK poster (based on my book Arnosky’s Ark) and covered their hallway walls with coloring pages from my web site.
    At Spring Forge Intermediate School I spoke to two groups of 5th and 6th graders. Conewago Elementary had a great big welcome poster and a picture of me with my books all around it. Orendorf Elementary’s 1st through 4th graders were great singers! They sang loud and right in time with my guitar.
    I must tell you that when Deanna and I travel to a school and have the children surprise us by singing the Crinkleroot Song or doing the Rattlesnake Dance, it is very special.
    We had a free day and we used it to drive west to Gettysburg, Pa. where we drove the auto trail through the battlefield. This has been a favorite stop for us whenever we are passing through Pennsylvania. Out in the beautiful fields we saw herons and hawks hunting the tall grasses. The mixture of history and nature is always a deeply moving experience for me. We stayed the whole day. 
On occasion we are asked to visit a library which is out in the countryside. Kreitz Creek Library is in a beautiful area of woods and fields. The little library was packed with books. I gave my presentation in the nearby community center. It was a full room of parents and children. I stayed for some time afterward signing books.
    The Dallastown School District PTO played an important role in arranging our visit to York Township Elementary. The walls were decorated with autumn leaves from Every Autumn Comes the Bear . There was a large Crinkleroot display with the old woodsman pulling his canoe out of the pond. A huge Ark of animals that students care about filled another wall.   

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