No comments about Trail to the Interior (Rm Patterson Collection).

2 comments about Hidden Pacific Northwest: Including Oregon, Washington, Vancouver, Victoria, and Coastal British Columbia (Hidden Travel).

1. I have the 5th Edition of this book, but, this can only be better I hope.

   It is a very personal review of the states and what they have to offer and as opposed to other books that are just boring and incomprehensible listings of attractions and dining and lodging .
   I actually went to some of the dining and hidden attraction recommendations from this book and it didn't fail me. All those places were certainly what the book said they would be or maybe more than that.

   The only drawback i can see is that there wasnt any mention of good campgrounds that car-campers could easily refer to. But for that, you can look up "the best in tent camping".

   Good Luck with your trips. I know mine was a great success.




2. This book covers three main regions including Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia and therefore does not go into too much detail on each region. I would recommend using this book as a good starting point for travel planning, but not if you are looking for lots of details. The book includes items that it describes as being "hidden" or off the beaten path, which could prove interesting for many travelers. The sections on lodging could be enhanced more to include additional suggestions. The book does include some useful maps that are very helpful. For more detailed travel information, you may want to read a guide book that covers one state.

4 comments about The Pacific Crest Trail: California (Pacific Crest Trail).

1. I have used this book since 1980 to hike all or part of the PCT. It can make or break your trip. The most important info is where to find water. Some souces are difficult to find, but this book will lead you to it. The amount of info,maps, water, landmarks, milage,trail conditions, suppy points, etc., make this book a must on any hike along the PCT. If you don't have it with you, you're a lost soul.



2. This book, along with its Oregon-Washington Second Volume, is a MUST-read for anyone planning their own trip along all or part of the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail guide provides a wealth of information such as mileage, water-stops, trail conditions, tips, maps, and even locations (including addresses!) of post-offices and other along-the trail stop-overs for re-supply. PCT hikers often carry this book with them in their packs and reference it often. More weight-conscious thru-hikers will cut or tear the book apart into sections (it's conveniently divided into a long series of trail sections between stop-overs) and ship the abbreviated guides back to themselves at towns along the journey.

   Combining years of research and tens of thousands of miles of first-hand trail experience, the authors have done an outstanding job in allowing future backpackers access to the information they need to plan their own epic adventures. The book usually comes with an pamphlet included to keep you posted on any updates and changes to the trail since the book's latest release (which I believe there have been six such releases since its initial publication in '73).

   I'm planning my own thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and after much of my own extensive research through countless other books and guides, I still come back to this one for the information I need to plan my own greatest adventure to date. Be sure the check the Oregon & Washington volume of the guide as well, written by the same authors in the exact same format.




3. I bought this book & another book, kept this one and returned the other. I haven't seen a better guide to the PCT.



4. I enjoy all of the Schaffer books because they are accurate, fun to read and reliable. This book has little chapters on the PCT, and the descriptions of each part of the trail are a total delight. So often these hiking books neglect to tell you how to reach the trailhead and oftentimes they don't provide detailed instructions (I mean this for section or day hikers of the PCT). Schaffer never makes this mistake. You will not need a separate map to locate any of the sections of the trail, his maps and written instructions are first-rate. In fact, there is even a nifty fold-out map sewn into the rear pocket so you can tote it along on any of your journeys. Equally interesting is that this book doesn't merely give elevation gains, difficulty ratings and desriptions of the trail conditions. These are vital to know, but Schaffer also includes little bits of information of what kinds of wild flowers you will encounter, birds, wildlife and other little nuggets neglected in other guides.

   The book is supposed to be mainly for thru-hikers of the PCT, but there are many trails here that can be used for day hikes. These trips will be in the 10-16 mile range and any strong hiker can easily do these hikes in one day. If you do choose to go the entire PCT, Schaffer describes water sources, camping sites and addresses whether bears or marmots might be a problem for you. Most importantly, he tells you where to find water and whether the water source is reliable throughout the whole year.

   I can't recommend this guide highly enough. Even if you're an armchair hiker, you'll derive many hours of vicarious joy from this guide.

3 comments about Fodor's Around Philadelphia with Kids, 1st Edition: 68 Great Things to Do Together (Fodor's Around the City With Kids).

1. I would not recommend this book to anyone. The first thing I saw was that the type is red! It appears to be set in 6 or 8 point fonts and is very difficult to read. There are 68 recommended things to do and/or places to visit. Of these, 23 are not anywhere near the city and 12 are near but not not in the city. That is 35 recommended places that would certainly require a car to visit. Less than half of the list are actually city of Phila. sites. I grew up in Philadelphia and live within 1/2 hour drive to any location within its boundaries. I bought this book because I wanted to show the city to my grandchildren as a tourist would do. I cannot believe that in a city this large in area with so many places to visit, this is the best that they could come up with. I find this a disgraceful list for one of the top ten cities in the USA. I guess I'll make my own itinerary and forget buying any more books that will probably be a major disappointment. Maybe someone who is familiar with Philadelphia should write a guide.



2. The title of this book is AROUND Philadelphia with Kids, so, as one should expect not everything is in the city. This is fine with me as a resident of the Western Suburbs. The font size is comparable with any other Fodor's guide and the book is small enough to fit into your purse.
   
   I have already gone to one of the sites recommended in the book (which I had never heard of) and we very much enjoyed it. I like that the book tells you the best days to visit, places where to take kids to eat and optimal age ranges. I am only giving 4 stars because this is a 2001 edition. At a minimum, things like prices and the exit numbers on 476 are out of date.



3. This book is pretty good for the price. I like that it has the activity and the age range that would enjoy the activity. I also liked the idea of listing the restaurants in the area of the attraction.

No comments about Hammond Maps Alaska & Western Canada.

1 comments about Canada - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!).

1. I bought this book for a friend who is moving to Canada soon. My main reason for buying it was that the language level looked low enough for a non-native English speaker.
   
   At first glance, the book seems to be a good basic guide. It covers a wide variety of topics which make it a good general book. However; the book is poorly written and has quite a few grammatical and factual errors. It also seems to be written from a Canadian rather than an "outsider" because much of her claims are common Canadian misunderstandings. For example, she claims that Canada has a "strict separation between Church and state." While the US has the separation, Canada does not. In fact, several provinces fund religious schooling and many of the legislatures in the country, including the Federal Government, start their sessions with a prayer. This is hardly a strict separation. Elsewhere in the book, she also claims that BC tolerates "weed smoking" - another common misconception.
   
   The book does a good job describing life in Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec). Much of the book provides examples of life, slang and issues that arise from this region. However; the author appears to have little experience with other regions in the country. Her description of the North and the Western regions are either stereotypical or in error. One simple example is her list of provincial capitals: two of the three "prairie provinces" are wrong.
   
   If you are looking for a book on Canadian culture, this one will provide you with a very basic understanding. I am sure that better ones exist.

4 comments about Healing Centers & Retreats: Healthy Getaways for Every Body and Budget.

1. This book really covered the gamut. I didn't realize there were any healing centers at all in the midwest! It gave the basic information I needed to plan my next healthy vacation. The write-ups had a sense of humor, also.



2. Everything you wanted to know about holistic healing retreats, but didn't know where to look. This book was a wealth of information and helped with many of my unanswered questions.



3. Thank Buddha for this most insightfull guide. Now I know where to go in order to get what I need. I feel much better just knowing that this is out there. Not only did it save me time in finding my perfect retreats it was also enjoyable to read. Ms. Miller's writting really held my interest, she is quite witty and amusing.



4. It's been a long time coming but my search is finally over. I have been waiting for a book of this type to come along since I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Finding contemporary medicine unable to treat the pains I suffer, I soon began seeking "alternative" medicine. I was shocked to find so little information available and it soon became a struggle to combine work and healing on my very frequent business travels. Now with Ms. Miller's book always tucked away at my desk I am sure to find a center to fill my needs. I find her guide to be accurate, concise and interesting. Her descriptive style entices me to try new places and new treatments. I wish this book had been written five years ago, it sure would have saved me a lot of time, trouble and headaches. I seriously recommend this book as a must for travel agencies with clientele looking for "alternative" vacations. They and their clients will not be disappointed.

3 comments about The Wild Coast 1: A Kayaking, Hiking and Recreational Guide for North and West Vancouver Island (The Wild Coast).

1. this book is well written and researched and really made me want to change my up coming plan for day trips on the west coastof VI by kayak and instead spend a week doing so..camping along the way -
   
   oh well next trip -
   
   very handy book for planning such an excursion



2. While I haven't yet used this book in the field, I have found it to be really good for planning my upcoming trip. It has lots of the right kind of information to help better anticipate what to expect and how to be prepared. The organization is great as are the illustrations/graphics, and I can say this having written a guidebook of my own (Paddling Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks). I look forward to the east coast edition coming out this summer.



3. This is probably the best organized and informative kayaking/travel book I own. The large area maps are coupled with more detailed local maps to provide enough context and continuity. I am travelling to the Clayoqot area for several days of solo paddling, and this book provided ample helpful information.
   
   A very useful book, and I'll consider the others in the series, now.
   
   One minor quibble is that the book is color coded (which is good), but the matching "breakout" trip descriptions are printed in colors to match the section. Yellow-on-white is nearly impossible to read.

No comments about Time Out Toronto (Time Out Guides).

1 comments about The Rough Guide to Vancouver 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. I'm a big fan of the Rough Guides. This guide, however, was less than accurate in its restaurant reviews. More importantly, its characterization of Chinatown and East Hastings was that both areas are fine during the day. I disagree strongly. Vancouver is trying to clean up both areas, but until that's accomplished, I don't plan to venture past Gastown.