Matt Forster turned his job into a vacation.
The Goodrich resident spent a year writing the book Backroads & Byways of Michigan: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions, which was published last month.
‘My wife is a native of Colorado,? Forster said, ‘I wanted to show her all there was to see and do in Michigan. A book seemed like a great way to explore the state.?
Forster extended his exploration of the Great Lakes State beyond the 12 excursions he outlined in the text. He supplemented the book with brief history lessons regarding various locations.
‘I moved to Massachusetts for graduate school, and I loved the obvious history of New England,? the freelance writer said. ‘I keep wanting to see Michigan’s history. I know it’s there, but in a less obvious way.?
Forster looked for the less obvious past throughout his travels. He wrote the historical stories between road directions and site descriptions in each chapter.
Along with the historical information, Forster included information about shopping, restaurants, country inns and scenic vistas. Every chapter gives detailed driving directions and full contact information for featured sites.
Closing each chapter is a list of accommodations, attractions and recreation, dining and other contacts for specific areas.
Forster followed his own advice, taking his family on the road to complete the book. He said he also took friends who were more familiar with different areas.
‘I knew only a couple of trips really well,? he said. ‘But I have friends who go to certain places all the time. I counted on them.?
Forster said he’d like to go back to his vacation spots in order to experience them more slowly.
‘I never thought of going to some of these places, but now I can’t figure out why I don’t vacation there every year,? he said.
Forster’s book is available at all major chains, as well as independent book sellers. Visit www.countrymanpress.com for more information.