About Me — Joel R. Dennstedt
World Traveler — Writer — Poet
Ancient History
The first German Dennstedts came to Canada in 1845. Johann Ernst (20) and his cousin Johann Gerhardt (27) built their own sailboat to make the ocean passage. Made it to New York City, crossed overland to the Niagara peninsula, picked up the Huron Trail into SW Ontario, entered Ellice Township, and five miles into the swamp, staked out their lot.
One hundred years later, I was born.
Personal History
At 8 years old I began to write. I wrote about an Alphie bug who had the head of Alfred Hitchcock, about a war between the Decromats and the Conumists, and about a bear stranded on the Moon.
Maybe I was ahead of my time.
I lived 15 years in Alaska. I hiked the Chugach mountains. One day, a big old grizzly charged me. It was the best day of my life. I lived.
For 7–1/2 years my brother and I traveled the world together. I toted everything I owned in a backpack and a duffel. He photographed. I wrote. We made our way from Yucatán, Mexico through jungles, rivers, coastlines, and interiors — to the World’s End in Patagonia. We then moved on to Iceland, making our slow way down towards Eastern Europe.
To follow our photographic journaling of this great adventure, see our weekly stories in the Medium Publication: Exceptional Journeys.
My other Publications on Medium include:
On Other Worlds — Short Sci-Fi Stories
World of Reflections — Short Contemplations
