Keith Stelter had wanted to be a writer as a young man. His wants were lost in the shuffle of a life raising a family in Michigan; however a move to Tomball eight years ago rekindled his interests.

“I read a great many books as a young man and decided that (being a writer) was what I wanted,” Stelter said.

Since moving to Tomball, Stelter, an avid hiker of more than 40 years, had his book “Best Hikes Near Houston” published, as well as six other titles. He has also been a nature and outdoor columnist for several area newspapers.

“I enjoy hiking and the outdoors,” he said. “I would make notes for myself about my hikes and decided that if I could turn this into something people can enjoy and understand, then I would like to do so.”

Stelter has been hiking all over Texas and in the last five years he has taken hikes in Costa Rica, France, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and Tennessee. He says his most enjoyable treks have been in Texas.

“(My favorites) have been some of the hikes just west of Houston and in the mountains in Tennessee,” he said.

Stelter’s latest projects are a book on the life of former boxer and Houston area resident George Foreman and one reflecting on the life of John the Baptist.

“I had always respected (Foreman) as a boxer and I thought I would see if he would talk to me,” Stelter said. “He has a tremendous family and they have welcomed me and my project.”

Reading about John the Baptist ultimately led Stelter to his project and writing about him.

“The more I read about him, the more interesting it becomes and the more I wanted to write about him,” he said.

Stelter’s wife and children support him in his writing; his wife even serves as his editor and proofreader. Son, Mark is currently working on his own book about the Gospel according to Jesus Christ.

“(His wife) doesn’t spare me at all,” he said, laughing. “She can be pretty tough.”

Well into his retirement years, Stelter doesn’t have any plans to slow down in either hiking or writing.

“I thank God for giving me the health to be able to do what I have done in my life,” Stelter said. “I just love it.”

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