This is the story of how William "Billy" Gratsch and Leandro "Mateo" Garza journeyed from the safe urban confines of Chicago, IL one fateful April weekend, to face down the foreboding West End of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Having spent time in that region myself, knowing conditions there that time of year, the mere fact that they came back alive speaks to their fortitude and ingenuity. But to come back as they have, with insights into the natural sciences as well as insights into the souls of men, makes this story even more extraordinary -- indeed it is a story for the ages.

I hope you, the reader, get as much out of this tome as I have.

Tom Amberg

taweb.com
Sunnyvale, CA; 5-30-97