While attending catechism class as a child, Curt Melliger was taught that if he obeyed the rules all his life he would be allowed to enter a place called Heaven when he died. The priest and nuns described it as a sacred abode up in the clouds that contained all of the very best things in the universe. There was sunshine and blue sky, pretty flowers and double rainbows, peace and happiness, ringing bells and beautiful music, saints and angels and the all-enveloping love of God. The young boy's mind processed this information and came to the stunning conclusion: Why, they're talking about Earth

Since that early revelation Curt has been discovering other examples of paradise incarnate wherever he goes. This book is a collection of stories on subjects ranging from water, fire, and stars to adrenaline rushes, near-death experiences, and the place where goosebumps originate, from skiing powder and climbing high mountains and walking in reverse to the changing of seasons, the lessons of night, and the reason for dreams, from wild animals, unseen visitors, and beings that do not die to the magic of the human touch, beatific ecstasy, and what awaits us on the other side of the veil that only partially separates this golden realm from the perfect one.

For the Ultimate is much closer than we have been led to believe. Indeed, it is readily available right here on this planet, this Garden of Eden, this one-of-a-kind oasis in space.

Right now.