One hundred years after Ernest Hemingway's short story elevated the myth of the Two Hearted River into the public consciousness, Bob Otwell invites you to the riverside — to experience the revered watershed as it really is.
In The Real Two Hearted: Life, Love, and Lore Along Michigan’s Most Iconic River, Otwell reveals truths about the river’s past, present, and future in ways that only he can.
As the owners and caretakers of a secluded old cabin called “Boggy’s Camp,” Otwell and his family have spent decades paddling, hiking, and mountain biking in an area along the Two Hearted River so remote that visiting in the winter requires skiing five miles.
An expert in hydrology and environmental investigations, Otwell explains the river’s science and shares his thoughts about conserving the watershed’s delicate balance.
Otwell weaves together the rich history of this isolated gem in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; he introduces colorful local characters, including the man named Boggy. And he reminisces about his family’s adventures at a beautiful and hidden bend along the storied Two Hearted.
“This is a celebration of place, a warm family memoir, and an acute biography of the river whose name Hemingway made famous. The author’s keen observations and thorough research make this a unique book about a special corner of Michigan.” —Dave Dempsey, environmental advocate and author of The Waters of Michigan and Great Lakes for Sale
“Bob Otwell has written a fascinating and insightful tribute to Michigan’s most famous river. As a hydrologist and engineer, he presents an authoritative and carefully researched study of the Two Hearted and its watershed. But he has the heart of a poet, too, and his love for the river shines through on every page.” — Jerry Dennis, author of The Living Great Lakes
“Anyone whose first big purchase is a 17-foot canoe is my kindred spirit. I’m willing to follow Bob Otwell wherever he goes, especially to Michigan's Two Hearted River. This is a loving history of the UP, full of forestry, hydrology, lumber history and conservation. Whether you’re a Hemingway fan or an armchair naturalist, you’ll feel part of the family at Boggy’s Camp on the Two Hearted River.” —Heather Shumaker, author of Saving Arcadia
Bob Otwell is a retired consulting civil engineer with decades of experience in groundwater and surface water hydrology and environmental science. In 1988, he founded Otwell Mawby P.C, a Traverse City, Mich.-based consulting engineering company. Subsequently, he worked for the TART Trails advocacy organization. He has served on the Board of Directors of FLOW (For Love of Water), a Great Lakes law and water policy organization, and on the Traverse City Planning Commission. He holds degrees from Michigan State University (a BS and PhD in civil engineering), and an MS from the University of Michigan.
Bob lives in Traverse City with his wife, Laura. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. Bob and Laura reap the benefits of an active transportation lifestyle, and they advocate for the same. They stay engaged in their community and enjoy camping, cycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing around the region’s beautiful lakes, hills, and forests.
Bob Otwell is a retired consulting civil engineer with decades of experience in groundwater and surface water hydrology and environmental science. In 1988, he founded Otwell Mawby P.C, a Traverse City, Mich.-based consulting engineering company. Subsequently, he worked for the TART Trails advocacy organization. He has served on the Board of Directors of FLOW (For Love of Water), a Great Lakes law and water policy organization, and on the Traverse City Planning Commission. He holds degrees from Michigan State University (a BS and PhD in civil engineering), and an MS from the University of Michigan.Bob lives in Traverse City with his wife, Laura. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. Bob and Laura reap the benefits of an active transportation lifestyle, and they advocate for the same. They stay engaged in their community and enjoy camping, cycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing around the region's beautiful lakes, hills and forests.
