5 comments about Ten Million Steps: Nimblewill Nomad's Epic 10-Month Trek from the Florida Keys to Quebec.

1. Wow! That's really "Hit the road Jack". I live near the Florida Trail but swamp wading with the snakes and the gators? No way Jose! But I am totally enjoying it from my armchair. Go get them. You are a better man than me Charlie Brown!



2. I received my copy today and I'm up to page 100. It is a blend of humor, a man's journey, and numerous inspiring quotes...that makes me want to hit Eastern Mountain Sports and start the hike. Someday I plan to hike the Triple Crown, etc. Cheers to this man who has had the desire, dream and drive to complete an epic journey and share it with the world. Thanks for a great read and giving me another glimpse into long-distance hiking.



3. As well as a resource-full account of Eb's travels, this is also a very entertaining book. Full of daily quotations, poetic descriptions of the landscape and people, and, more than anything, uplifting. Congratulations on a job well-done, Eb. Not just the trip, but its recording for the rest of us.



4. What a wonderful and inspiring book!! If you are a backpacker, outdoorsman, or a couch AT hiker, this book is very enjoyable. Eb makes you feel like you are walking every step with him. The book also helps one to realize the "kindness" and generosity of the American and Canadian people. It was uplifting to read a 500+ page book without one bit of negativity toward anyone by the author. Thank you Nimblewill!



5. Well written account of hiking trip for such a long distance. Sometimes too wordy on spirtual themes.

1 comments about Following the Curve of Time: The Legendary M. Wylie Blanchet.

1. "The Curve of Time" written by M. Wylie Blanchet is one of my favorite books so I am very pleased that Cathy Converse has written a terrific biography about "Capi" Blanchet--captain of the Caprice, adventurer, mother and unique individual.
   "Following the Curve of Time" is well written and researched by an author who has also explored by boat the inside passage waterways of British Columbia. Having done some boating myself around the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound I am very impressed that Capi and her children overcame the challenges of having spent the whole summer cruising aboard a 25 foot motor boat with 1 adult, 5 children and a dog.
   It is a testament to the beauty of the B.C. coastal waters and the spirit of Capi and her children that they returned to go cruising every summner for 12 years. Capi's love and memory for those summers resulted in the classic "The Curve of Time".
   Cathy Converse's book is a wonderful biography of Capi Blanchet and I think would be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the beauty of the B.C. coastal waters. I enjoyed the pictures (some taken by Capi herself) and the First Nations information. There is also navigational information that boater's will enjoy including the extreme tide and currents in some areas that require precise navigation. Capi had to contend with these as do boaters in the area today.
   Thanks to "Following the Curve of Time" there is now a biogrphy about the author of "The Curve of Time". Now if only a movie could be made. Katharine Hepburn would have made a wonderful onscreen Capi. Gosh, how about Cate Blanchett in the starring role. Blanchett playing the role of Blanchet! That's a movie I would like to see.

5 comments about Tiki Road Trip: A Guide to Tiki Culture in North America.

1. In the ever changing world of Tiki land, you need an up to date reference. Please update this great book with a new edition!!



2. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have used the reviews while on several different trips, to Las Vegas, San Diego, and in Southern California. A lot of this info could not be found elsewhere!
   
   A word of advice to lucky purchasers of this book however--do double check, call ahead, and make sure your destination still exists! I have made several blunders as well assuming that a place was open for lunch when many are nightspots only.
   
   That said, a great guide (and check out the inside of the Hanalei/Red Lion Hotel in San Diego--the bartenders make a mean scorpion in a nifty souvenier bowl!!)



3. So you already have a no doubt well-worn copy of the first edition of "TRT" and you're wondering if it's worth buying this new one?
   
   Yes. Get it.
   
   Sure, you've got the expected updates to the fast-changing world of tiki, along with more of the tell-it-like-it-is reviews that were the first edition's trademark.
   
   But Teitelbaum has also expanded the historical information about locations that are no longer with us. And there seem to be more photos and other "urban archaeological" tidbits sprinkled throughout, giving it more of the flavor of Sven Kirsten's "Book of Tiki". These are welcome improvements, and it makes this edition just as suited for armchair reading as it is for actual trip planning.
   
   Maps, perhaps one at the beginning of each state's section, would've been nice. Many of these tiki spots are in the suburbs, which can make it difficult to tell what's near the particular city you're visiting if you're not familiar with the names of the surrounding towns. But that's not enough of a quibble to detract from a solid, five-star rating.



4. great book. loaded with info. on tiki. the only thing missing was web sites for the places in the book. it would be nice to find more info. otherwise great book with a lot of info.



5. If you like Tiki, then you love a Tiki Bar and tropical cocktails with the South Pacific ambience. This book tells you where they're all located. Around the world, even. If you travel a bit, you probably should keep it with you. As a Tiki Bar resource, it can't be beat.

No comments about Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Northwest: Jayson Loam's Original Guide (Hot Springs & Hot Pools of the Northwest: Jayson Loam's).

2 comments about Rand McNally Nova Scotia, Canada: Provincial Map.

1. Just came back from a 2500 mile car safari around the Maritime Provinces. This map was useful and up to date. Note that the map includes all of Prince Edward Island and much of New Brunswick as well as Nova Scotia which makes it extremely handy.



2. Came in very handy on a recent trip to Nova Scotia. Was detailed enough for the country side. Cities required a more detailed city map (obtained locally from tourist information centers).

3 comments about Streetwise Toronto Map - Laminated Center City Street Map of Toronto, Canada - Folding pocket size travel map with integrated subway & trolley bus lines & stations (Streetwise (Streetwise Maps)).

1. ... you can bet I'll have it with me when I go back. The usual Streetwise quality is evident in this map; the only quibble I have with it is the rather odd orientation. Thanks to the fact that all Streetwise have to fit into their standard rectangle shape, and the somewhat unusual shape of Toronto means that in order to fit it in, it has to be oriented with north nowhere near "up". Once you get used to that, though, you have a dandy, sturdy map of Toronto, including the TTC subway lines.



2. So easy to use! Although orienting yourself with North was a little challenging at 1st. The fact that the map is laminated is a definite plus! This is something I can use over and over again, I even gave one as a gift to a friend who lives in Toronto and they love it as well!



3. I purchased this in 2003 for a trip later that year. I had no problems getting around, but after multiple trips to the city I would recommend buying a map once you're in the city. I spotted a minor error with the subway listings, and they list a non-existent green space in the Annex neighborhood...I asked a passerby and they had no idea where it could be! The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) has free, to-date-maps that are available in all the stations with agents. So do some booths at Pearson Airport. Still, the foldable, waterproof format is super-convenient. Just remember to pick up a more current map and carry the Streetwise one when you're walking around for general reference.

5 comments about Ride Atlas of North America: U.s. / Canada / Mexico.

1. While some of the changes are nice the info inside is pretty much just like the first one. The material upgrades were nice though.



2. this map has it all...very detailed road content found in the large rand maps with a tough, closeable magnetic binder that fits nicely in any saddlebag. it has good suggestions for scenic rides and some state laws for anywhere you can ride a motorcycle. i dont ride a harley and dont necessarily care for them either, but this is one 'harley' item i had to have. the only negative thing i can think of is that due to its size, many states are split onto seperate pages. it is a necessary evil, however they tried to mitigate it by creating a 'overlap' of the map area on each consecutive page so you can quickly refind your spot/road.



3. This is a great tool for carrying on your bike. Full of info. you can use anywhere in North America. Very detailed and helpful.



4. This is great atlas, I would recomend it to anyone who travels on a mototcycle or drives a car. The ride atlas is very detailed it shows the best routes that a motorcyclist like myself would need to take to see the best part of the U.S. Another great feature is it's water proof don't have to worry about it coming apart in the rain, it's very well made and should last for years if you ride a motorcycle and been looking for an atlas to take with you then this is it, it's fits in saddle bags as well.
   
   Dave Tate



5. This is a must to any who are touring on their HDs. Maps are presented for every state in the union. Local HD Dealers are noted on the maps along with phone numbers and addresses. Sample rides are included along with highlighted maps. If you ride a Harley - this is it.

1 comments about Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks.

1. This book gives you information that few other books do. Description of campgrounds, best places to eat, shopping, wildlife viewing, scenic drives, etc. You also don't have to buy several books to visit this area. This one book will cover the whole area.

4 comments about Kayaking the Inside Passage: A Paddling Guide from Olympia, Washington to Muir Glacier, Alaska.

1. Miller's book is filled with delights on every page. I picked it up because I'm heading up The Passage by ferry for the first time and I thought a kayaker's perspective could be interesting. I was not disappointed! Every page is an entertainment. From the trials of flood and ebb tides to the ever-present danger from bears to the capsulated history about almost every one of the 3,000 islands along the way. I felt I was present.
   
   This is not just about paddling, which is detailed to the max, but about economics; and the climate; and the sheer brutality as well as the compassion of the men and women who braved it;
   
   As I go on my comfortable armchair cruise, I will now know not only what is in front of me but what transpired at this spot 100 years ago, 500 years ago and even how the surface of the earth came to this spectacular visage.
   
   How the eminent naturalist, John Muir got his come-up-ence from an elderly chief; how the first settlers crossed the land bridge into the new continent; how the more recent "discoverers" overcame hardship and missed opportunities to enter into a struggle between nations that, although currently without bloodshed, is still continuing.
   
   I received much more than I was expecting from "Kayaking...". I received a wealth of background which will make my coming trip a true "delight".



2. Full of history, regional politics, and local knowledge, this book is not just for kayakers. Anyone planning or dreaming of an Inside Passage voyage will enjoy this read. And yes, it has the maps,references, and all the hard-to-find details for actually doing this trip.



3. This summer 2005 I used this book to kayak the inside passage from Anacordis WA to Glacier Bay, AK. I left Anacordis on 18 June 05 and reached Glacier Bay on 25 Sept O5. This book was my guide the entire way. I tried every recommended campsite, and paddled the recommended route almost entirely, without stopping, for 1400 miles, and 3 1/2 months. So ... perhaps, in a small way, I am qualified to review this book.
   
   The book's recommended route is impecable - perfect all the way from Anacordis to Glacier Bay, with one exception, as follows: Between Petersburg and Juneau AK, the author routes the kayaker along admiralty island to see a bear sanctuary, and then into a blind lagoon where the kayaker is forced to use a land trolley to transport his kayak across a peninsula. This route is a poor selection because 1)The bear sanctuary is impossible for kayakers to see because of beligerant forest service policies requiring advance reservations. No exceptions; 2)The blind lagoon's trolley has the rails disconnected at the north end, requiring the kayaker to CARRY his kayak on his back down a steep, high hill to finish the portage. Instead, kayakers buying this book would do best in ignoring the author's Petersburg to Juneau route, and instead paddle along the mainland shore, where multitudes of iceburgs float, where the second best whale-watching area in north america is, and best of the best, where the Tracy Arm Glacier is, arguable the finest, most impressive and actively calving glacier in all of Alaska. Why the author bypassed the miraculous Tracy Arm to NOT see a bear sanctuary that doesn't permit impromptu kayakers ... we can only guess.
   
   Campsites: The author openly admits that he lost his notes on what his campsites were for much of the trip. Thus, the campsites recommended on the book's maps are anotated in the book with painful phrases paraphrased like "... the topo map shows this to be flat ground, so there maybe SHOULD be a campsite there...." OUCH. Speaking as a traveller who has visited all the author's recommended campsites, the author is right only better than half the time, and when the campsite he recommends turns out to be a swamp ... or indeed IS flat ground but is fronted by jagged rocks impossible to haul a kayak up the beach on ... that means the tired kayaker must continue paddling blindly and exhaustedly, perhaps with light failing and conditions deteriorating, looking for a campsite on his own. Now this wouldn't be so bad, except that for the vast majority of the inside passage, the mountains fall directly into the sea, leaving jagged cliffy coastlines where campsites appear only once every ten miles or so. Campsites are as scarce as hens teeth. So ... a tired kayaker having timed his paddling day to end at the author's recommended campsite ... has only a 50-50 chance of indeed finding shelter there, and will perhaps be forced to continuing paddling on ... and on ... and on.
   
   Author's commentary and background research is superb. Many times I found myself teaching the locals about their own area by reading them this guidebook's commentary. The book is very readable and fun, yet is highly educational. The author's anecdotes had me rolling on my tent floor in laughter many times. Exceptions: The author comments that one can expect to see one to five bears a day along the inside passage. This is not so. I paddled 3 1/2 months, and only saw 6 bears, all of them black, none of them browns. Bears, and signs of bears, were few. Land wildlife is actually very rare along the entire inside passage ... but marine wildlife abounds. Only three places in 1400 miles did I see a deer, for example.
   
   Overall, this book earns its 5 stars. But note the exceptions above to correct the book's few quirks. Hats off to the author on doing such a good job guiding us through such a demanding, lengthy, and thrilling journey.



4. Mr. Miller has a wealth of knowledge in kayaking, the passage, and the environment. He shares this with humor and historic accuracy. I particularly enjoyed his observations of human interaction. However, it would be a much more digestable read if I didn't have to use the dictionary every ten minutes to discover the meaning of the obscure language he uses throughout the book. Although I clearly understand the gist, the audience (me)... would be more interested in a text that had a manageable rhythm. Perhaps he is trying to prove he is a literate, intellectual outdoor person. I will use this book to help plan my own month long trip in the inside passage.

5 comments about Driving the Pan-American Highway to Mexico and Central America: A Complete Guide for Do-It-Yourself Planning and Driving Through Mexico and Central America.

1. We have not yet driven the Pan-American highway, but were given the Pritchard's book as a gift in preparation for an eventual trip; therefore, I can't comment on the traveler tips. I was, however, amused and distracted by the incredible number of typos on each page (coastal is consistently spelled "costel"). The book seems very basic and at times naive (toilet paper discussion). I had the feeling that my grandfather was explaining the ropes to me... That said, the book seems to have some helpful information and tries to be specific regarding border crossings, the roads, etc.



2. I did a lot of research on our trip. We live in Honduras and are driving to the US over a three week period as we leave the area for good, so ordered the book. I was already very versed in the trip from countless stories on the Internet, and from exploring Central America over the last three years, so found the book simple, badly written, and not very helpful at all. I suggest that instead of spending your money on this book, you do research on the Internet and you will get much better information for free.



3. The information's regarding border crossing are just to old (more than 10 years) to be of any valid use today.



4. Do not bother. I am looking to make this trip but in 2007 not 1997. Information in this book includes what might be coming in regards to border accords and improved roads and "conditions" but no later model exisits. If the authors are still alive they are living well in Costa Rica selling this book that is basically and outdated catalog for Costa Rica (and others) real estate.



5. This book is a little dated. It was printed in 1997 and most of these countries are changing so fast that you probably need something a little more current to suppliment the book. However, it is still interesting reading and does have a lot of tips and information.