Tribute to my grandmother in ‘Hiking South Dakota’

In the front pages of Hiking South Dakota, my latest guidebook by FalconGuides, you will find a tribute to my grandmother Marilyn Heerdt.

“Gramma” Marilyn was a very special person. When I was a child, she “let me be a boy” while also fostering my love for travel, adventure, and aimless wander.

I would not be the person I am today without her.

My website www.marcusheerdt.com includes a very short and to the point bio: “Marcus has a wandering spirit that has taken him to many amazing places.” Looking through the pictures, you will see how that is true.

Many in my life have attempted to limit my wandering spirit, viewing it as a negative. For some, it’s because they want me to be how they think I should be. For others, it’s pure jealousy.

So on the ‘MEET YOUR GUIDE’ page of Hiking South Dakota, there is a recent picture of me and one of me in 1991...

“Marcus – way atop high rock above Sylvan Lake, S.D. August 1991.” Photo and caption by Marilyn Heerdt (1925-2019).

Standing on top of that rock at age four, I never imagined writing hiking guidebooks about such a beautiful place.