Wilder Trail Books
You've heard of Nessie in Scotland and Champ in Lake Champlain. But a
monster in Lake Pepin Wisconsin and Minnesota?
In 1871, the Minnesota Almanac reported the first known sighting of a
monster in Lake Pepin. Is he real? Have you seen him?
As someone who flew all the way to Scotland to look for Nessie, I think
Peppy (our family's name for him) is out there somewhere, too. Just as in
Scotland, where I stared intently at the glistening waters of Loch Ness, I
often stand on the shores of Lake Pepin, dreaming and wondering if I might
ever be lucky enough to catch sight of that glorious, infamous beast, Peppy!
Around the world, Lake Monster lovers are many. While I was drawn to the
crumbling castles and spectacular scenery of Loch Ness, others have driven
all the way to New York to try and catch a glimpse of Champ. And by grade
four, my daughters and their friends had read everything on Lake Monsters
they could find. What is it that draws us to believe in things we cannot see?
Some people think we're crazy for believing. But I don't think so at all.
Those of us who believe in Nessie, Champ, Peppy (and even Santa Claus),
are a dying breed to be sure. But alas, Peppy may be the shyest of the Lake
Monsters. For all the hours I've played by the beautiful lake, I can still only
imagine what it would be like to see Peppy bursting forth from the sparkling
waters of Lake Pepin, with that monster twinkle in his eye! If I breathe really
deeply, I can surely smell his beautiful parsley-lettuce smell.
And Peppy is a hero, too. When the floods rise, the winds blow, the lightning
strikes or the tornadoes fly -- I know that Peppy (the gentle giant that he is),
glides effortlessly under the water to guide fishermen to safe harbor and
boaters to shore. Of all the Lake Monsters in the world, Peppy is the gentlest
and kindest. He is a reminder that acts of random kindness can be felt 'round
the world, even if no one ever knows he is there.
So, is it time to see Lake Monsters? If you ask me, Yes! Remember all those
bumper stickers telling us to "see motorcycles" or "see art?" I say it's even
more important to see Lake Monsters! From them, we can learn not to fear
what we can't see or understand in the world. And besides, it's lots of fun to
get to try and get to know them!
So, what do YOU think? Do you think Peppy -- like Nessie and Champ --
actually exists? How do you envision him? Or is he a girl, a woman, an alien,
or a kind of being the world has never known? What does he look like? What
does he say? Have you witnessed random acts kindness he has performed?
Do you have your own special name for him?
Write us your stories about the Lake Pepin Monster and send us your photos
and art. We will share them online or in a book. That way everyone can bask
in the fun and wisdom of Lake Pepin's very own Lake Monster.
So, read on dear friends, because Peppy has an amazing story to tell -- and
you might be just the one to tell it!
The Wood Family
ned@wildertrailbooks.com
monster in Lake Pepin Wisconsin and Minnesota?
In 1871, the Minnesota Almanac reported the first known sighting of a
monster in Lake Pepin. Is he real? Have you seen him?
As someone who flew all the way to Scotland to look for Nessie, I think
Peppy (our family's name for him) is out there somewhere, too. Just as in
Scotland, where I stared intently at the glistening waters of Loch Ness, I
often stand on the shores of Lake Pepin, dreaming and wondering if I might
ever be lucky enough to catch sight of that glorious, infamous beast, Peppy!
Around the world, Lake Monster lovers are many. While I was drawn to the
crumbling castles and spectacular scenery of Loch Ness, others have driven
all the way to New York to try and catch a glimpse of Champ. And by grade
four, my daughters and their friends had read everything on Lake Monsters
they could find. What is it that draws us to believe in things we cannot see?
Some people think we're crazy for believing. But I don't think so at all.
Those of us who believe in Nessie, Champ, Peppy (and even Santa Claus),
are a dying breed to be sure. But alas, Peppy may be the shyest of the Lake
Monsters. For all the hours I've played by the beautiful lake, I can still only
imagine what it would be like to see Peppy bursting forth from the sparkling
waters of Lake Pepin, with that monster twinkle in his eye! If I breathe really
deeply, I can surely smell his beautiful parsley-lettuce smell.
And Peppy is a hero, too. When the floods rise, the winds blow, the lightning
strikes or the tornadoes fly -- I know that Peppy (the gentle giant that he is),
glides effortlessly under the water to guide fishermen to safe harbor and
boaters to shore. Of all the Lake Monsters in the world, Peppy is the gentlest
and kindest. He is a reminder that acts of random kindness can be felt 'round
the world, even if no one ever knows he is there.
So, is it time to see Lake Monsters? If you ask me, Yes! Remember all those
bumper stickers telling us to "see motorcycles" or "see art?" I say it's even
more important to see Lake Monsters! From them, we can learn not to fear
what we can't see or understand in the world. And besides, it's lots of fun to
get to try and get to know them!
So, what do YOU think? Do you think Peppy -- like Nessie and Champ --
actually exists? How do you envision him? Or is he a girl, a woman, an alien,
or a kind of being the world has never known? What does he look like? What
does he say? Have you witnessed random acts kindness he has performed?
Do you have your own special name for him?
Write us your stories about the Lake Pepin Monster and send us your photos
and art. We will share them online or in a book. That way everyone can bask
in the fun and wisdom of Lake Pepin's very own Lake Monster.
So, read on dear friends, because Peppy has an amazing story to tell -- and
you might be just the one to tell it!
The Wood Family
ned@wildertrailbooks.com
| IS THERE REALLY A LAKE PEPIN MONSTER? |
| Start Seeing Lake Monsters, okay? |
| PEPPY SAYS: |
"Peppi": Scientific name for the Lake
Pepin Monster.
"Peppy": The Wood Family's
nickname for him.
What is YOUR name for the monster?