"An ideal guidebook to facing the inevitable." —Foreword Reviews After her brother died unexpectedly and her mother moved into a dementia-care facility, spiritual travel writer and Episcopal deacon Lori Erickson felt called to a new quest: to face death head on, with the eye of a tourist and the heart of a pastor. Blending memoir, spirituality, and travel, Near the Exit examines how cultures confront and have confronted death, from Egypt’s Valley of the Kings and Mayan temples, to a Colorado cremation pyre and Day of the Dead celebrations, to Maori settlements and tourist-destination graveyards. Erickson reflects on mortality—the ways we avoid it, the ways we cope with it, and the ways life is made more precious by accepting it—in places as far away as New Zealand and as close as the nursing home up the street. Throughout her personal journey and her travels, Erickson helps us to see that one of the most life-affirming things we can do is to invite death along for the ride.

Near the Exit: Travels with the Not-So-Grim Reaper

Erickson, Lori

Parenting & Relationships

Westminster/John Knox Press

Product Description 
"Readers may find themselves ordering their own DNA testing kit upon finishing this." —Publishers Weekly "The Soul of the Family Tree posits that a spiritual grounding in one's family history can combat 'historical amnesia' and nurture a sense of belonging." —Foreword Reviews 
Growing up in a passionately Norwegian-American Iowa town, Lori Erickson rolled her eyes at traditions like Nordic Fest and steaming pots of rømmegrøt. But like many Americans, she eventually felt drawn to genealogy, the "quintessential hobby of middle age." Her quest to know more about the Vikings and immigrants who perch in her family tree led her to visit Norse settlements and reenactments, medieval villages and modern museums, her picturesque hometown and her ancestor's farm on the fjords. 
Along the way, Erickson discovers how her soul has been shaped by her ancestors and finds unexpected spiritual guides among the seafaring Vikings and her hardscrabble immigrant forebears. Erickson’s far-ranging journeys and spiritual musings show us how researching family history can be a powerful tool for inner growth. Travel with Erickson in The Soul of the Family Tree to learn how the spirits of your ancestral past can guide you today. 
 Review 
"In this shrewd memoir, Erickson (Holy Rover) details how researching her Norwegian American heritage led to deep personal reflection. The modern ability to investigate one's ancestry using DNA, she argues, can be more than just biology… Readers may find themselves ordering their own DNA testing kit upon finishing this." —Publishers Weekly 
"Erickson traces the 'spiritual DNA' of her Norwegian ancestors, investigating how their heritage influenced their cultural practices and religious beliefs, especially in the Midwestern United States…. The Soul of the Family Tree posits that a spiritual grounding in one's family history can combat 'historical amnesia’ and nurture a sense of belonging." —Foreword Reviews 
"[Erickson] brings a light heart, an old soul and a deep understanding to her subject of how tracing our genealogy can deepen our spiritual lives." —The Gazette 
"The Soul of the Family Tree will appeal to readers of Erickson's previous books specializing in spiritual journeys, anyone interested in genealogy and Norse or Viking culture and history, and to those who have enjoyed similar titles like The Lost Family Tree by Libby Copeland and The Nordic Theory of Everything by Anu Partanen." —The Norwegian American Genealogical Center\n"Can a middle-aged American born in Iowa be a Viking? Yes, if she's as plucky and persistent as Lori Erickson. Starting with her Nordic name, a DNA test, and her strange dislike of lefse bread, Erickson takes us on a time-traveling pilgrimage to Newfoundland, Norway, Iceland, and even Istanbul in search of her spiritual DNA. Guided by her Viking foremother Gudrid the Far Traveler, Erickson discovers the well of wisdom by the roots of every family tree—those stories that influence our inner lives—and celebrates the explorer in all of us." 
—Nancy Marie Brown, author of The Far Traveler and The Real Valkyrie 
"The Soul of the Family Tree is a terrific new kind of travel book. Lori Erickson takes us on a journey back in time to meet the Vikings, her ancestors (and the ancestors of way too many of us, because, uh, they got around, those Vikings). Enthusiastic, intelligent, and willing to put on a funny Viking skirt and laugh at herself, Lori is the perfect guide for this kind of journey. She asks the questions we would be asking, and then she trots off to the next destination filled with boundless energy. This truly entertaining book should be on the shelf of everyone who is interested in family history, genealogy, or who has ever wondered, 'Where do I come from, really?'" 
—June Melby, author of My Family and Other Hazards\n"Lori Erickson has not only the adventurous spirit of her Viking ancestors but a sparkling sense of humor not generally associated with Olaf

The Soul of the Family Tree: Ancestors, Stories, and the Spirits We Inherit

Reference

Genealogy

"In this book, Erickson's steps don't lead to grand cathedrals but to the transformative, powerful elements supporting life itself. " - Foreword Reviews "Travel writer Erickson has written a travelogue about areas of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, that have sacred and spiritual meaning to people now and throughout history . . . Ideal for fans of Erickson's work, curious readers, armchair travelers, and those who are compelled to take a spiritual pilgrimage." - Library Journal Globetrotting travel writer Lori Erickson has long searched for the sacred in locations and cultures far from home as well as in her beloved Iowa. But when the pandemic put both air travel and in-person worship off-limits, Lori and her husband hit the road with a camper in tow to discover spiritual sites and experiences in their own home country. From the Serpent Mound of Ohio to the Redwoods of California--and, ultimately, by air to see natural wonders in Alaska and Hawaii--Erickson uncovers deep connections both to the lands that now make up the United States and to the elements that have had sacred meaning to people throughout history and across the globe. Through her profound, informative, and witty reflections on the power of stone, water, light, fire, and more, readers will discover new destinations in North America while deepening their own connection to spirit. Whether exploring national parks or visiting holy sites, this book makes for the perfect spiritual companion and guide. Perfect for book clubs!

Every Step Is Home: A Spiritual Geography from Appalachia to Alaska

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Whether you celebrate the state's ethnic diversity with many things Croat, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Native American, or Norwegian; visit a twelve-level treehouse with electricity and running water in Marshalltown; swap stories, meet old friends, and learn about life on the road at the National Hobo Convention in Britt, this guide leads you to many overlooked, lesser-known attractions throughout Iowa.

Insiders Guide Iowa: A Guide To Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path)

Travel

Stuhr, Tracy

United States

Globe Pequot Pr

The often overlooked sites and attractions of Iowa are revealed in this guide to the Hawkeye State: 160 acres of preserved prairie in the Great Lakes region; sculptures made from ordinary kitchen matches at Matchstick Marvels; and a tribute to the history of balloons at the National Balloon Museum.

Off the Beaten Path Iowa: A Guide to Unique Places

GPP Travel

Iowa: Off the Beaten Path (Off the Beaten Path Iowa)

Globe Pequot Press

Whether you’re a visitor or a local looking for something different, Iowa Off the Beaten Path shows you the Hawkeye State with new perspectives on timeless destinations and introduces you to those you never knew existed––from the best in local dining to quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales. So if you’ve “been there, done that” one too many times, get off the main road and venture Off the Beaten Path.

Iowa Off the Beaten Path®: Discover Your Fun (Off the Beaten Path Series)

Globe Pequot

Iowa Off the Beaten Path® (Off the Beaten Path Series)

"Whether describing mystical visions or the rhythms of everyday life, Erickson turns the spiritual journey into a series of exciting transformations." Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 From her childhood on an Iowa farm, Lori Erickson grew up to travel the world as a writer specializing in holy sites--journeys that led her on an ever-deepening spiritual quest. In Holy Rover, she weaves her personal narrative with descriptions of a dozen pilgrimages.
Her trips give Erickson the chance to reflect on her Lutheran upbringing, her flirtation with Wicca, and her admiration for Tibetan Buddhism. A trip to the healing shrine of Lourdes is intertwined with the story of her son's serious illness as a baby, while visiting Thoreau's Walden Pond blends with ruminations on being a writer.
Along the way, Erickson encounters spiritual leaders who include the chief priest of the Icelandic pagan religion of Asatru, a Trappist monk at Thomas Merton's Gethsemani Abbey, and a Lakota retreat director at South Dakota's Bear Butte.
Both irreverent and devout, Holy Rover includes images of holy sites around the world taken by several of the nation's leading travel photographers.
Travel writer, Episcopal deacon, and author of the Holy Rover blog at Patheos, Erickson is an engaging guide for pilgrims eager to take a spiritual journey. Her book describes travels that changed her life and can change yours, too.

Holy Rover: Journeys in Search of Mystery, Miracles, and God

Fortress Press

Off the Beaten Path Iowa

UNKNO

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Erickson, Lori. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Erickson, Lori