Our modest community holds an annual art festival which is always a delight. It's like attending a family reunion. Many of the artists have been sharing their gifts with us for over a decade. We know each others names, faces and sometimes families. The smiles of recognition and laughter of stories shared fills the air like bubbles on floating in the breeze.

As I was wandering through the various tents I came across an older gentleman. Dressed in blue jeans with button braces and a cotton dress shirt he sat quietly in front of his table of books. He smiled from ear to ear and I just couldn't resist stopping to see what he had to offer. Normally I only shop for something unique, one of a kind, possibly a painting, a sketch, or even a nice piece of pottery. This year I found an even greater treasure in this tale of a diagonal crossing of The Dark Continent of Africa from Malaga to Mombasa. An adventure of being lost in the hottest desert on earth, arduous river crossings, strange and unusual people and the beauty of the rolling step country of East Africa. All experienced through the travel of one man, from Iowa, traveling by motorcycle on a very, very long way from the beaten path.

His trip was taken decades ago, but as he began to talk it was clear that if given the opportunity he would leave tomorrow and do it again! I think this year's purchase was the greatest find yet! Check it out yourself: www.theheartofafrica.com