It's Time!

                          

I’m getting really excited about the “Wagging Tails and Happy Trails” event this Saturday at Cheaha State Park! And there are a number of reasons why.

The first is that this is my first book signing in over a year. I love meeting and talking to all of you and sharing stories from the trail. It’s always a blast.

Of course, it is the official launch of my new book, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama”.

But more importantly, it’s a chance to help a great pet rescue in Clay County, the Clay County Animal Shelter (CCAS).

The staff at CCAS do amazing work taking in rescues, housing them, providing medical attention, and feeding them. The Wagging Tails event Saturday is only a small way that I can give back. I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from all book sales during the event to the shelter – so come on out and buy a copy, or two, for yourself and friends.

CCAS will also have rescues there ready for adoption. I hope that you will find it in your heart to adopt one and give them a happy home. As of right now, the plan is that you can take the rescue of your choice on a short hike with a staff member right there to bond a little.

Of course, we understand that many people can’t adopt a new pet. That’s ok. Please consider making a donation to the shelter while you’re there. Your donations help them keep up the great work.

But the day isn’t only for adoptions and celebrating the new book. It is also for those of you who already own dogs as well. We have some great presentations lined up throughout the morning including training and obedience with the staff of the Comb and Collar, and Shannon and Brandy with the Animal Medical Center in Anniston who will tell us about canine vaccinations and preventative medications, dog park etiquette, and getting your dog in shape and ready for hiking.

Oh, and there will be snacks and drinks as well.

I hope to see all of you THIS SATURDAY, March 30^th, at Cheaha State Park from 10am to 2pm!!

Calendar of Events

March 30, 2019: Wagging Tails and Happy Trails Pet Adoption / Book Launch Party

10am-2pm; Cheaha State Park, Delta Alabama

Join author Joe Cuhaj and the Clay County Animal Shelter atop the state’s highest mountain at Cheaha State Park for a special pet adoption party and the launch of Joe’s new book, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama”! The event is a celebration of the launch of the Joe’s latest book, "Best Dog Hikes Alabama". A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Clay County Animal Shelter (CCAS). The Shelter will have rescues on hand that are up for adoption and looking for a new home – hopefully yours. There will be presentations by area vets and trainers on bringing your new dog home, Joe will discuss getting your pup ready for hiking, plus music, snacks, drinks, and more.

Admission is only the standard park entrance fee: $5 adults, $2 children 6 and under and seniors over 62; Vets and active military-free.

April 13, 2019: Alabama Book Festival 2019

All day; Old Alabama Town, 301 Columbus Street, Montgomery, AL 36104

Celebrate Alabama’s rich literary landscape at the annual Alabama Book Festival! The event showcases the best Alabama writers over the past year who will be on hand to sign copies of their book. Panel discussions focus on varying topics in writing, history, fiction, and more. There’s also free writing workshops, and plenty of food, music, and drinks.

Author Joe Cuhaj will be there to autograph his latest book, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama”, and participate in a panel discussion of the amazing biodiversity that is only found in Alabama. Joe will also take part in an Open Mic session to tell one of his humorous short stories of growing up (which will, as always, be loosely based on faulty memories).

May (Date/Time to be announced):

Best Dog Hikes Alabama Presentation & Book Signing

Bailey Cove Library, 1409 Weatherly Plaza SE, Huntsville, AL 35803

Official Press Release for "Wagging Tails and Happy Trails"

Good morning, all! I wanted to share this with you this morning. It's the official press release announcing the Wagging Tails and Happy Trails event March 30th at  Cheaha State Park. Hope to see you all there!

Wagging Tails and Happy Trails

We are only 2-weeks away from the official release date of my new book, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama”. You’ll be able to pick up a copy at your favorite book store, at online bookstores like Amazon.Com and Barnes and Noble, but, I hope you’ll hang on until the end of March and join me and the staff at Cheaha State Park for the BIG book launch!

In case you haven’t heard, I have teamed up with Cheaha and Alabama State Parks to host the book launch high atop the state’s highest mountain. It’s called “Wagging Tails and Happy Trails”. I’ll be there autographing copies of the book, but the event goes far beyond just a book launch. We’re teaming up for a reason. That reason is to help pet rescues in the area.

Before the ink had a chance to dry on the contract for me to write this book for Falcon, I wanted to use it as a vehicle to help pet rescues in the state as much as I could. The story of this "Wagging Tails and Happy Trails" began when I met Cheaha State Park Superintendent, Renee Simmons Raney, about 2-years ago at the annual Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery. She was there promoting her great book, "Hairy, Scary, but Mostly Merry Ferries". I was there promoting my Falcon Guide, “Hiking through History Alabama”.

We were paired off to do a joint presentation on the outdoors and became friends. I found out that she was a dog lover and I told her about the book I was working on about hiking with dogs in the state. She took immediate interest.

Fast forward to about 2-months ago when I got word that the book was in the warehouse and ready to ship to bookstores, I immediately contacted Renee who contacted state parks who gave us their blessing to have the book launch at Cheaha.

We went right to work to organize the event. The goal is to not only raise a little money for area pet rescues, but to also hopefully find some “furrever” homes for the rescues that the organizations are housing.

I think you’ll like what we have planned for you. If you can’t make it but still want to help, you will be able to make donations. I’ll be setting up a special “Wagging Tails and Happy Trails” fund raiser in the next 2-weeks with all proceeds going to the rescues.

SO, here’s what’s in store for you. Don’t forget, a portion of the book sales will be going to the rescues. I hope to see you all there, Saturday March 30thfrom 10am to 2pm at the Mike Bosarge Memorial Dog Park at Cheaha State Park.

Please Stand By for an Important Announcement

What a week and a half it's been. I've been off work from my day job due to sinus surgery (still have a nose, so that's a plus), and I'm FINALLY feeling better (thank you very much). But over the last two days, a lot has been happening with my latest hiking guide, "Best Dog Hikes Alabama".

The first big news is that the book will hit the publisher's warehouse (not to be confused with Publisher's Clearing House) within the next two weeks and will be on bookstore shelves soon there after.

Can I have a big-old "Yay!", please?

The second piece of news is HUGE!!! --- But I can't tell you the details, not yet. We're ironing those out as we speak, but I can tell you that it will be a BIG book launch that will benefit local pet rescues at the same time.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be using this book to give back and help these pets find homes and provide some funding for these organizations.

SO, stay tuned. We're only days away from officially announcing dates, times, and locations.

Hanging Out with Dead People

Happy New Year, everyone!

The research into my latest endeavor, Hidden History of Mobile (as in Mobile, Alabama), is well underway. I had a chance to spend some time this past Saturday with the Manager of Municipal Cemeteries Tighe Marston.

As always, it was a fascinating discussion about the 300+ year old city’s historic cemeteries especially Magnolia Cemetery, the oldest Victorian cemetery in the Southeast. I picked up some very interesting tidbits of information about a couple of the cemetery’s occupants, little known history that I am fleshing out the details of right now. Stay tuned.

While the history of Mobile’s luminaries who are buried there is fascinating, the actual cemetery itself is remarkable. If you are ever in the Port City, take a trip to Virginia Street and stroll the grounds. Before you go, pick up a copy of a document that tells you about Victorian era symbolism at the gatehouse.

Yes, you will see some spectacular monuments in the cemetery, but look close at those marble statues, obelisks, and markers. Focus in on the detail carved into those monuments. They all have a meaning: A broken column symbolizes a person being cut down in their prime; a lamb is found on children’s grave symbolizing purity; a dog represents loyalty.

So, the research continues. I’ll be spending a lot more time with dead people in the weeks to come. Hidden History of Mobile is due out this fall. I’ll keep you updated.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Me to You

Here's wishing all of you the happiest holiday season ever, and may your new year bring you love, peace, and happiness. 

                                                                            Joe Cuhaj