5 comments about Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping: Explore Mexico and Belize with RV or Tent (Traveler's Guide series).

1. There is not much useful in this book. Traveling widely in Mexico and checking out many of the suggested stops, few still exist. Just try calling them. One of the few that was still in operation had an overflowing septic tank and was intolerable.
   Alas, dry camping with permission is the order of the day. Luckily Mexicans are nice about it. US style RV or tent camping sites are rare as hen's teeth. Since the right to bear arms does not exist in Mexico, security can be a real issue if you make a bad decision. Maybe the best advice, if you do not caravan, would be to drive a decrepit, ratty, small RV so as not to attract the wrong sort.



2. Thanks to this book, we will be able to get on with our project, drive into Mexico with our Class A. We probably would have done it anyway, but this book makes things easier and with less hassle and waste of time.
   We know, now, exactly what and where we will go on our 3 month trip.



3. I've been searching on the internet for information on RV (Trailer Parks in Mexico) Resorts in Mexico and it hasn't been very useful. This book however is exactly what I was searching for on the internet but MUCH, MUCH handyer.



4. Excellent book on camping in Mexico. We have used their Baja Camping book twice to camp in the Baja and they give excellent advice and great reviews of the campgrounds.



5. Great Book !!! Full of handy information. We are planning our RV trip in Mexico, this book is going with us.
   Book, A-1 condition, seller did not exagerate the contents.

1 comments about Fodor's Mexico 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. While I think this book is great for the highly travelled destinations, if you are going to out of the way spots that are popular with Mexicans i.e. Valle de Bravo or Cuatro Cienegas it lacks info. It also left out a major city, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon (the 2nd largest city in the Country) which has its own interesting sights. I do think the section on the Baja Peninsula was very informative.

No comments about American Map Road Atlas 2009 Standard (Road Atlas: United States, Canada, Mexico (Spiral)).

5 comments about The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons (Penguin Classics).

1. This is a classic adventure tale, inspiring in that it's a true story of courage and endurance. John Wesley Powell and his companions (including a wonderful illustrator) set out on the Colorado River to chart what was the last unexplored territory of the U.S., the Grand Canyon. Powell was a Civil War veteran who, despite the loss of one of his arms, took on the mighty untamed Colorado in wooden lorries. He is the person for whom Lake Powell is named and interestingly his story is featured in a short IMAX film about the Grand Canyon. The book had originally been sold to a magazine in serial form and Powell's adventure followed avidly by "folks back East". Reading this book transports you back to a different time when the written word was the primary means of reporting stories like this.



2. John Wesley Powell was a fascinating guy.
   John Wesley Powell was a scientist, geologist, and Civil War veteran whose right arm was shot off by a cannonball; he was the man who named Glen Canyon, and the man Lake Powell was named for. He was the first man to lead an expedition down the Colorado--the first two expeditions, actually--back when the river flowed wild, without dams.
   He didn't worry about all the details like a knowledgeable crew, funds, both arms, having an experienced crew, not knowing if there was a Niagara-sized waterfall around the next bend or not, and so on--he just went. He understood you don't need experience to gain experience. He and his crew paid for their inexperience by nearly drowning, nearly starving, and by misadventure after misadventure but in the end MOST of their group emerged from the southern end of the Grand Canyon with stories, experiences, and first-hand knowledge of a part of the world that few people had ever seen before.
   (Three of his crew abandoned the expedition, and their fates are uncertain.)
   This is Powell's story. It's also a story of the geology of the Colorado Plateau, of the Colorado River, and of the West. It's not a perfect account, but it is a classic one. Powell's prose is at times high-falutin', he recklessly combines details from his first and second expedition, and he gives too little credit to his crew, but he is always an optimist, and always fun to read.
   Take a river trip, and take this along. Or, take "Down the Great Unknown" by Edward Dolnick--that's a good account of that trip as well. (I actually prefer it.)



3. I find it totally unexcuseable that today's young college students (especially earth and environmental science types) do not know this man; yet, they all know Edward Abbey. Powell was not a scientist by today's standards but yet he managed to do many great things. He stood in opposition to the popular belief at that time that the West was a virgin Utopian land awaiting industrial and population exploitation from eastern society. He saw a great empty space in the National maps of the West and set about to explore and understand and map this area. He was a geologist, ecologist, ethnologist, and anthropologist all wrapped up in a persona that was at one time a soldier and commander. His exploration of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River is a terrific read for anyone looking for an adventure read. Its a scientific quest turned whitewater adventure. Abbey, on the other hand, has never done anything as substantial as what Powell did for our basic knowledge and appreciation of the West. Furthermore, Powell's vision isn't clouded by the selfish, militant, eco-geek goggles through which Abbey viewed the West.



4. Anyone who is enthralled by the beauty of the Southwest, or as Powell defines it - the Colorado River watershed, should read this book. It's not the same now as it was in his day. For one thing, Glen Canyon, which he named, is now submerged under Lake Powell (could any name be more ironic?). No one today can feel the same kind of wonder and awe as Powell and his companions did as they pushed their boats into the raging rapids of the muddy Colorado without having any idea of what was ahead. Even the part of the Colorado watershed that has not been developed, and there is a considerable extent of land under protective status, today has nothing like the remoteness that Powell experienced. Everything has been mapped and carefully scutinized.
   
   Yet, anyone who has spent some time sizing up the immense water-carved rock canyons, can still feel something of the sublimity that Powell felt. It requires more imagination; it is true, but anyone who is determined to make more of a commitment than just standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon can still experience the really sublime features of this landscape. How much more difficult will it be in the future? Will these wilderness wonders become more degraded?
   
   The book describes by daily journal entries the historic river run of 1868 starting at the Flaming Gorge in Wyoming and ending at the Virgin River as well as a follow-up expedition the next year. Powell does not overdo the apprehensions and hardships of himself and companions, nor does he make mention that he accomplished the physical exertion of climbing the canyon walls and navigating the boats with one arm: but largely confines himself to descriptions of the events and the incredible landforms. The extent of the journey and all the spectacular features that he finds and names is impressive. That Powell's group experienced hardships there can be no doubt.
   
   One of the more interesting parts of the book to me was the way Powell approached the Indian tribe that killed his three companions, who decided to abandon the expedition and hike out of the Canyon. In those frontier days, it was the accepted norm to meet violence with violence. But Powell, I thought here, really showed himself to be an exceptional human being. He had a inquiring mind and a sincere desire to learn everything he could without inflicting retribution.



5. I got this book to read while I was rafting the Grand Canyon. It was well worth it. John Wesley Powell's description of his unbelivable expedition helped me put into words the spectacular scenes that makes up the Grand Canyon. I recommend this book to anyone who is considering traveling down the Colorado River.

No comments about The Best in Tent Camping: New Mexico: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos (Best in Tent Camping).

1 comments about Moon Yucatan Peninsula: Including Chiapas (Moon Handbooks).

1. Just back from two weeks touring the Yucatan and this book made my trip. As always the Blue Moon people give the good info for the indie traveler. The great out of the way places to stay and eat and sleep and visit. All wrapped up in one neat book. If you are headed to the Yucatan TAKE THIS BOOK! you won't be sorry! Oh yeah, also pick up the cult classic "A Tourist In The Yucatan!" great thriller set in the Yucatan.

2 comments about Moon Cancun and Cozumel: Including the Riviera Maya (Moon Handbooks).

1. I found this book to be very helpful and up to date. The details provided were first rate. It even listed the ferry schedule to Isla Mujeres - something that other guides only glossed over. The maps were useful too. There were a lot of information on cenotes, and where they are located.
   
   I liked it so much that I have just bought the Moon travel guide to the Four Corners.



2. this guide was extremely helpful and informative during our trip, it had lots of info not only on cancun and cozumel but also on the mayan ruins and other great places to see like playa del carmen and tulum

4 comments about Top 10 Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides).

1. If you are planning a trip to New Mexico this is an invaluable guide to have on hand. It very thoroughly covers all of the sights you would ever want to see and gives wonderful recommendations for hotels and restaurants. The one drawback is the maps are a little small so you will still want to have a bigger map of each town. Despite this the information is very well organized and easy to use. This is a much needed guide and one that I highly recommend.



2. A Good book that highlights most of the popular attractions/restaurants.
   Also has good locator maps. Its compact size is great for traveling.



3. The thing I love most about the TOP 10 books is their size. Very easy to fit into a pocket or daypack. The info is concise and accurate. The TOP 10 ratings make it easy to plan your days; you know what you really should see and do if you're new to a place. The price is reasonable, too.
   
   I've been to Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos before and I can confirm that this little book has hit all the right spots!



4. This small, easy to use, guide packs easily. The index helps one find things quickly -- and the images are excellent. It was perfect for a one-week trip.

5 comments about 2008 Mexico Road Atlas "Por las Carreteras de Mexico" by Guia Roji.

1. It's really good, much better than I expected. There are about 48 linked maps covering all of Mexico - easy to follow. Unexpectedly, there are 51 city maps that give the general layout of the key city roads and links into those cities - really a pretty astounding, useful addition. An additional 13 detailed travel logs connecting all the major cities are excellent. I've had difficulty finding useful highway maps of Mexico, so I'm quite happy to have stumbled upon this rather excellent road atlas. It is brand new (2008), seems quite up to date, and I'm very happy with it.



2. Very detailed maps that are color indexed by region. The print is easy to read and the roads are shown to be toll roads or otherwise. Sturdy cover and pages all spiral-bound.



3. I received this today and, frankly, am disappointed in its quality. I understand that maps of Mexico are hard to find, but this one is still not worth the money. It does have some city maps, but they are so general that you really cannot use them to navigate. There are some nice features, but overall, not worth the cost.



4. Took a road trip from Texas to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo/Troncones (beautiful, a must if you want to get away from the crowded beaches such as Acapulco or Cancun)...map is good at identifying major roads and toll roads between cities but once you get into a city, the map does not have enough detail PLUS Mexican cities do not do a good job at posting road signs whatsoever!!! Be prepared to stop and ask for directions and when you get them, you get all kinds of landmarks as point of references... don't expect people to know the names of streets either!! Map is kinda pricey for what you get, it could use more detail of major cities, but the binding and sturdy cover are nice. Bottom line...DRIVE IN MEXICO AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!



5. In conjunction with toll road information provided by the BELLS, we were able to easily plan our day to day travels on our first RV trip to Mexico.

5 comments about Red Glass.

1. Laura Resau's beautifully written RED GLASS is one of those books that lingers in memory. It's the story of not-so-brave Sophie, who goes on the adventure of her life, in Mexico, and later Guatemala, an unstable and dangerous country, finding her courage and love along the way.
   
   For teens, and adventurous middle schoolers, who realize the world is wide open to them!



2. Sophie has been afraid of just about everything: cancer, gems, car wrecks, and becoming an orphan. Then one day her stepfather Juan gets a phone call from the hospital. Pablo, a six-year-old Mexican boy is recovering from a trip across the Border. The same trip that killed both of his parents. Pablo comes to Sophie's home. She grows to love this little boy who she calls-her Principito, Little Prince. After a year Sophie's parents are able to contact Pablo's extended family in Mexico. Sophie, her Aunt Dika, and Dika's new boyfriend and son must travel with Pablo so he can make a heartwrenching decision.
   
   On the way down Sophie feels a strong connection to Angel, her Aunt's boyfriend's son. But she fears she'll lose him. A tragic accident forces Sophie to make a dangerous journey where she must learn to face her fears. Will she always be delicate Sophie? Or will her difficult choice make her become fuerte--strong?
   
   I enjoyed this story of a young girl who must face her fears in order to grow stronger. The road trip into Mexico was very vivid and I remembered similar things on my own trip many years ago. The contrast between Mexico and Guatemala are striking. I don't know if I'd be as strong as Sophie to travel down there alone. But what really stands out about this book is how Sophie learns to reach out to those around her. Dika, the eccentric aunt who survived the Bosnia war. Mr Lorenzo who survived beatings from the Guatemalan police. And little Paco, who watched his parents die while crossing the Border. They all learn from each other even when one of them makes a heartwrenching decision.



3. Contains all the ingredients for a good story: tragedy, comedy, love, and danger. I'm using it in my book club for adult ESL learners who are from various world cultures. They love it! It treats modern issues of immigration, alienation, and human rights with sensitivity. Hispanic culture is beautifully interwoven as are the lives of common people who come to know and respect each other accross vast landscapes and invisible borders.



4. Laura Resau writes the kind of books I loved to read when I was a teen, and still do. She takes us to new places with characters who are both loveable and flawed. In her latest book, Red Glass, she introduces us to a colorful cast of characters who quickly become so endearing we are happy to follow them to Mexico and beyond. Her main character, Sophie, is a girl doing what so many of us hope to do, pushing her own boundaries. Through Sophie's adventures helping return an orphaned Mexican boy to his village, Resau teaches us a little about tolerance, a little about bravery, a little about humanity and a lot about love. Her settings are so wonderfully drawn that we can easily imagine ourselves along for Sophie's ride. I've been happily sharing this book with the young girls in my life and they've been telling me that they, too, love it!



5. Before I read this book I thought it would be completly depressing and not a very good story. After I started reading the book I realized that it is an amazing story about love and lost. The main character, Sophie, goes through many challenges but she learns to cope extremly well for someone so young. She learns many lessons that I think everybody needs to learn sometime in there life.