Holy Rover : journeys in search of mystery, miracles and and God

**"Whether describing mystical visions or the rhythms of everyday life, Erickson turns the spiritual journey into a series of exciting transformations." __Publishers Weekly__ (starred review)** From her childhood on an Iowa farm, Lori Erickson grew up to travel the world as a writer specializing in holy sites--journeys that led her on an ever-deepening spiritual quest. In __Holy Rover__, she weaves her personal narrative with descriptions of a dozen pilgrimages. Her trips give Erickson the chance to reflect on her Lutheran upbringing, her flirtation with Wicca, and her admiration for Tibetan Buddhism. A trip to the healing shrine of Lourdes is intertwined with the story of her son's serious illness as a baby, while visiting Thoreau's Walden Pond blends with ruminations on being a writer. Along the way, Erickson encounters spiritual leaders who include the chief priest of the Icelandic pagan religion of Asatru, a Trappist monk at Thomas Merton's Gethsemani Abbey, and a Lakota retreat director at South Dakota's Bear Butte. Both irreverent and devout, __Holy Rover__ includes images of holy sites around the world taken by several of the nation's leading travel photographers. Travel writer, Episcopal deacon, and author of the Holy Rover blog at __Patheos__, Erickson is an engaging guide for pilgrims eager to take a spiritual journey. Her book describes travels that changed her life and can change yours, too. Lori Erickson Always Wanted To Be A Travel Writer, So She Started Pitching Stories To Editors. And She Started Writing. What She Found As She Traveled And Wrote Was That Sacred Places Exerted A Special Pull On Her. And She Noticed That Her Own Faith Was Changing As A Result. Holy Rover Is A Record Of Erickson's Pilgrimages--some As Close As A State Or Two Away From Her Native Iowa, Others Across The World. Erickson Reflects On Her Lutheran Upbringing, Her Flirtation With Wicca, And Her Admiration Of Tibetan Buddhism. She Writes Compellingly About The Healing Shrine Of Lourdes Alongside Her Son's Serious Illness As A Baby.along The Way, Erickson Describes Her Encounters With Spiritual Leaders Who Include The Chief Priest Of Asatru, A Trappist Monk At Thomas Merton's Gethsemani Abbey, A Lakota Man Who Directs A Retreat Lodge At The Holy Site Of Bear Butte In South Dakota, And A Nun At The Abbey Of St. Hildegard In Germany. Each Gives Her Valuable Insights Into Her Own Spiritual Journey, And She Is Ultimately Drawn Back To Faith. A farmer's daughter on the bank of the Nile Among the Lutherans: Martin Luther sites in Germany Drawing down the moon: on the trail of elves in Iceland Writing my way around the world: at Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts Of healing and miracles: The sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France In the light of stained glass windows: Jerusalem and Galilee in Israel The mystics and Mary: The Temple of Artemis and House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey Following a call: With Thomas Merton in Kentucky Wise women wisdom: Along the Rhine with Hildegard of Bingen in Germany In the valley of the shadow: Machu Picchu in Peru Becoming a bear: Bear Butte in South Dakota Not always so: Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple in Bloomington, Indiana The church of God's odds and ends: Iona in Scotland. Holy Rover is about the transformative power of travel. If you've ever been curious about the ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage, come along with Lori Erickson as she explores a dozen holy sites around the world. Travel writer, Episcopal deacon, and author of the Holy Rover blog at Patheos, Erickson is an engaging guide for pilgrims eager to take a spiritual journey. Both irreverent and devout, Holy Rover describes travels that changed her life and can change yours, too. From her childhood on an Iowa farm, Lori Erickson grew up to travel the world as a writer specializing in holy sites--journeys that led her on an ever-deepening spiritual quest. In Holy Rover, she weaves her personal narrative with descriptions of a dozen pilgrimages. -- amazon.com