I grew up the second of seven children in Pleasanton, California. My early life was spent outdoors often under the watchful eye of my father, Don Larson, who was the Scout Master of our local Boy Scouts of America Troop. A whole generation of boys in Pleasanton learned to tie knots and hike remote trails throughout northern California under pop’s watchful eye. I blossomed at Amador Valley High School playing football, wrestling, baseball and one year of Varsity basketball, playing the final season for coach “Skip” Mohatt. Somehow I received my diploma and qualified to attend the greatest university, Brigham Young University where I was fortunate to learn football under the legendary LaVell Edwards. Above all, my life was influenced early on by a loving, creative mother who encouraged dreaming, story telling and imaginative playing outdoors. Along with my work, my greatest hobby is doing research for the stories I write for my grandchildren.