The home of "Take The Wind Up With You"

The story of Tlocan and Ha-Keen in Take The Wind Up With You first came to me in 2003. After writing the first draft, it sat in the back of my imagination until the next fall, when I spent a week in Zion National Park. Seeing all those red rock cliffs and canyons breathed life and dimension into the story in my mind. I took hundreds of photographs as I walked and drove all around the area.

The high canyons

I found one canyon that I was sure Tlocan had flown through.

I found what might have been the mouse caves where Regia's clan lives, a long line of shallow caves above a line of undercuts and large caves that might shelter other animals.

The mouse caves at Lower Pines

These sloping ridges could have been the path from Upper Pines down to Lower Pines, and where Tlocan first tried to take shelter from the storm.

The canyon wall

The crisp desert air, soft morning light, and the stunning colors of the setting sun on the rocks still resonate in my imagination.

Morning light in a big canyon

Sunset

But almost ten years went by before the story was ready to unfold in this world. As I edited the original manuscript, I realized how much affection I have for these characters, and I hope the richness of their lives as I see them comes through in the story.

A high, narrow ridge—great country for hunters

Bits and pieces of my own experiences have snuck into the tale. I lived in the desert southwest for several years as a child, and grew up with a fascination for raptors like Tlocan. I knew nothing about rodents of any kind, however, until one of my close friends adopted a wonderful female rat, and I learned how smart and affectionate she was. She loved live guitar music and eating Cheerios. Sometimes it wasn't hard at all to know what she was thinking.

Tlocan begins one adventure, and it becomes a much greater one. Before it's over, both he and Ha-Keen learn things about themselves that they never expected.

Take The Wind Up With You will be available for Kindle and Kindle reader apps on amazon.com VERY SOON!

Take The Wind Up With You and all photographs are Copyright©Patricia M. Ryan.