Louella Holter

I appreciate the phone calls I received and I apologize for not returning them sooner.

I've never thought about a second house. Interesting question. Someplace farther north, definitely in the West, with mountains nearby. And a velodrome.

I have cousins living in Glen Ellyn and Elgin. Nobody in Crystal Lake.

The last time I visited Crystal Lake was for the only reunion I attended. It might have been the twentieth. There was fresh corn on the stalk and the tomatoes were fantastic.

No, I couldn't imagine living in the Midwest again. The West is the best! No offense intended.

I've always been a good wordsmith. It was a natural progression to end up being an editor by trade. I took some classes at Northern Arizona University, and had a cyclist friend who was faculty in Chemistry. So I got a job working in the Chemistry Dept. office typing exams and copying them with a mimeograph machine. They noticed my skill and attention to detail, and the next thing I knew I was working full time at the university, typing and editing for the faculty. When everyone got their own computers, the job morphed into just editing, helping the faculty get their research published. It was a wonderful job but 24 years was more than enough to spend on a college campus.

For many years when I was traveling around somewhat randomly, I'd just go to temp agencies when I ran out of money, and dazzle them with my typing skills -- I could type 100 wpm with no mistakes on a typewriter. I always got work the same day. Or sometimes I'd just work at other odd jobs where they wouldn't have to invest any money to train me, as that wouldn't be fair to them -- I knew I wasn't sticking around very long. I even had a regular gig at a car wash in Denver. I could blow into town, phone the manager, and be working immediately. It was a great lifestyle when I was young. I had a gas!

Perhaps I'll write another book, and then you'll know.

I'll probably be here in Flagstaff, doing the same stuff, writing and doing sports and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Hiking and trail running in the Grand Canyon or up on the San Francisco Peaks, riding bikes ... read my book if you want to know more!

I've never been married.

I'm still in touch with John Costello, Nancy Wood, just lately Cheryl Hopp ...

I'd like to encourage you all to buy my new book at Amazon.com if you are interested in what I've been doing.

I'm an avid gardener. Really avid. And I like hiking, backpacking, cycling, all kinds of bikes are good, skiing, all kinds of skis are good, hanging out with my animals, two cats and a brand-new dog, coffee at the local espresso shop, music, traveling, reading, writing, I have three koi ponds, I spend a lot of time trying to keep the raccoons from getting the fish, grapes, peaches, etc. etc. They murdered one of my cats. I love yoga and spiritual pursuits. Read my new book!

The Alps.

Too long a list to write it here. But I always love to come home to Flagstaff. There are some places in the Grand Canyon that I haven't been able to get to, and perhaps now I'm too long in the tooth for that, unless I hired a couple of strong young men to carry my stuff. Hah! Good idea.

I think there are a lot of surprising things -- at least, that's what my friends are saying after reading my new book (at Amazon.com).

I don't think about high school very much. I had a few good friends, of course, as most people do, but generally I couldn't WAIT to get out of there. People sometimes spread really mean gossip about me; perhaps many of us experienced that. I left for California only two weeks after graduation and the farther West I got, the happier I was.

I did like some of the teachers, especially Mr. Phelps in Chemistry, I think freshman year. And French was cool.

There were a few dances, with that local band playing Gloria, the lead guy was named Tip or something like that.

I didn't have a favorite.

I've met lots of very interesting people. I'm trying to get this filled out before the reunion, so this question will have to go unanswered. I'm surrounded by wonderful friends, some of whom are famous for various reasons, in various places.

My athletic career has been pretty cool. There have been many really cool outdoor events in the Grand Canyon and elsewhere. I love epic adventures. (Read my book.)

Spread love. There's plenty of that other stuff around.

I've watched innumerable sunrises, in many places.

Probably some type of cat.

Desert dwellers always do that when the first monsoon rain comes, usually after about two months of hot weather with humidity in the single digits.

Elgin.

Yes, for bike racing. Many years ago.

Nature. God.

Meditation, yoga, prayer, walking, anything outside. Good fiction.

This morning, thanks to my puppy.

Please check out my website and think about buying my book. I'd planned to post the front and back cover (where it says that I've written about the Crystal Lake tornado, and lots of other stuff), but I don't see a place to do that. It's posted on my website (but I'm a bit behind loading photos to the other galleries -- I'll do that soon). You can find it on Amazon just by searching books for "Louella." Apparently there aren't many authors with my name. The book is called "Bikes, Dreams, and the Inner Life."