Michael Byrne

The first 22 years of Michael's life are cheerfully recounted to his late mother in this tell-all memoir. The book ends on Dutch Flat in Wasco County, Oregon, where Michael spent the next five years working on wheat & cattle ranches.

Post graduate work, as he would refer to it..

After the birth of Sierra, the young family moved back to Mt Hood where Michael taught skiing for another 30 years.

By his own count he personally taught several thousand people how to ski.

Michael reconnected with his dad and sailed a thousand miles across the Columbia River Bar with him, out in the Pacific Ocean and up to Vancouver Island, BC.

With the birth of Heidi, Michael became more interested in the community. He began coaching and got involved with the school and every public service organization he could; serving on the board of directors for the PTA, Mt Hood Town Hall, the Pacific Northwest Ski Association and others.

In 1985 Michael took over the operation of the historic Mt Adams Flagstone Quarry and over the next several years became a skilled stonemason. His work has been featured in various publications in print and online. His first restoration job on the Historic Columbia River Highway won the General Contractor—a National Award for Excellence from the Department of Transportation. For the next 30 years, Michael was responsible for the restoration of many iconic landmarks in Oregon and Washington.

Michael's concern for kids led him to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate where he tirelessly worked on behalf of abused children.

When Donald Trump was first elected in 2016, Michael plainly saw exactly where this was headed. He declared for Oregon"s Second Congressional District. No college degree, no experience and no money, he spent the next two years traveling the deeply conservative district connecting with voters who appreciated his real life experience and progressive outlook.

The democrats weren't impressed with a candidate whose chief qualification was his lack of traditional qualifications.

Michael and Teri traded their sailboat for a 41' powerboat and sailed to Friday Harbor, Washington.