Hiking with Hair Tie

12/12/2025

Come to the book signing at REI Madison on Monday 12/15 4:30-6:30!

https://www.rei.com/events/aut2/childrens-book-signing-event-with-local-authors

09/26/2025

We’re getting excited to welcome author and avid Ice Age Trail hiker, Kris Van Handel, who will be reading her book, Penny’s Ice Age Trail Adventure, for the Tyke Hike on Crescent Beach Boardwalk in Algoma, WI, on October 4, 2025! 🐾📖

Kris—trail name “Hair Tie” (Hiking with Hair Tie) — has section hiked the Ice Age Trail six times (and counting!) and brings her love of hiking and storytelling to this special event.

Don’t miss this fun day on the trail with Myles the Mammoth, activities for the whole family, and a storytime you won’t forget!
The hike begins at 10 AM under the Algoma Youth Club pavilion, 620 Lake St. The book reading and more activities inside the Youth Club after the hike. In case of rain, all activities will be inside the Youth Club.

👉 Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/3KDuyrc

12/21/2024

I hiked through Algoma today and stopped at Yardstick Books where they are selling my books!

04/20/2024

I’m selling my books and postcards at the Ice Age Trail conference today in Baraboo. If you’re here, stop by and say hi! If you’re not here, you can go to my website, www.hikingwithhairtie.com to buy my books and postcards!

12/06/2023

If you have a child or grandchild or know of a child who attends your local elementary school, please consider asking their librarian to purchase my book. They can email me at [email protected] or if you talk to them and get their email, I can contact them. I’m making a list and contacting librarians of schools near the IAT, but it is a big project!

Children in fourth grade learn about Wisconsin, so this would be a good addition to how they learn about the state.

12/03/2023

I received a thank you note from one of the kids who got a book!

12/01/2023

My book will soon be available at the Freedom Elementary School library, which was my elementary school!

11/30/2023

Thanks to everyone who has purchased a book! Please consider writing a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, or other book websites. All reviews are helpful.

If you enjoyed the book and think others will like it, please ask your library to purchase a copy. Many libraries have a form you can filll out online. You will need the following information:

Title: Penny’s Ice Age Trail Adventure
Author: Kris Van Handel
Publisher: self published
ISBN: 9798218295714
Date of Publication: 10/16/23

If you have children, you can ask their school library to purchase a copy too!

If you need to purchase a copy, please visit my website: https://www.hikingwithhairtie.com/

11/22/2023

Thank you to everyone who has purchased a book so far! 20 orders will be in the mail tomorrow!!

11/21/2023

Penny's Ice Age Trail Adventure is a great gift for kids!

Penny is a dog who loves hiking! She hikes on many different trails, but some of her favorite adventures happen on the Ice Age Trail. One particular adventure starts out with an exciting encounter with a porcupine and a dip in the lake. It becomes challenging when the trail is muddy and difficult to follow. Will Penny finish the hike and still love hiking?

Penny is a dog who loves hiking! She hikes on many different trails, but some of her favorite adventures happen on the Ice Age Trail. One particular adventure starts out with an exciting encounter with a porcupine and a dip in the lake. It becomes challenging when the trail is muddy and difficult to...

11/21/2023

Check out my memoir, Hiking with Hair Tie: Section Hiking the Ice Age Trail. This book is about my first section hike of the Ice Age Trail

“I’m going to hike the Ice Age Trail.”“Oh, I’ve heard of that trail. How long is it?”“1200 miles.”“WHAT?!?!”The Ice Age Trail is one of 11 National Scenic Trails, and all 1200 miles of the trail are within the state of Wisconsin. Many people hike portions of the trail, but only a...