Barb Troyer and Judy Petullo were so kind as to share a link to their interview with Sarahlee Lawrence. KPOV is a wonderful station! They have great interviews. Barb and Judy are insightful interviewers. Here is a link to their interview.

  http://www.kpov.org/images/stories/audio/sarahlee_lawrence_kpov.mp3

Or go to www.kpov.org and check out the interviews/stories page. 

Sarahlee Lawrence is one of of Central Oregon’s own.  River House is a luminous memoir about falling in love with wild white water but realizing her heart already belongs to the wide open spaces and big sky of Central Oregon.  Sarahlee is a remarkable young woman, if this is what the future holds we can stop worrying, the next generation is going to do just fine.  She has packed a lot of living in already and she is still going strong.

There is something for everyone in River House. It is the story of young woman raised on a ranch in Terrebonne.  It is the story of a woman willing to match wits with some of the wildest rivers in the world. River rats should love this book! She had me on the edge of my seat reading the first chapter about running a river on the border of Bolivia and Peru where the rapids are called los monstrous. It is the story of a woman who found home in the wide open spaces of Central Oregon, a place where her heart told her she belonged.  It is the story of a family, a daughter who left to find her dream running wild, white water, a mother who worked hard to keep her family together, and a father who mourned the passing of his youth, who yearned for the big waves he surfed as a young man.  It is the story of a father and daughter coming to terms with themselves and each other, finding middle ground.  These are people who care fiercely, who are willing to take chances. If you enjoy reading about people who put themselves on the line, test their resolve, and build a good life, you will find this book inspiring. Like I said, Sarahlee Lawrence has packed in a lot of living.  

Sarahlee Lawrence is a woman who likes to make a difference.  She is involved with the Slow Food. On her farm she grows certified organic vegetables right here in Central Oregon.  The CSA program allows people within a certain radius of her farm to have fresh, healthy, organic vegetables delivered weekly.  At a book event in Bend we were served some of her fresh veggies, I did not believe we grew anything tasting so good right here in the USA! 

And when she isn’t farming she is still out on that wild water.  She guides expeditions on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

I love it!  Sarahlee Lawrence lives in Central Oregon, farms organically, travels internationally as a woman farmer participating in the Slow Food movement, guides trips down tumultuous rivers, and writes inspiring books.  If this is the next generation, I am delighted. 

River House: A Memoir (Paperback)

By Sarahlee Lawrence

$16.95

ISBN-13: 9780982569139
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Tin House Books, 10/2010

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