No comments about The Thomas Guide 2000 Pacific Northwest Road Atlas & Driver's Guide:: Oregon, Washington, Southwestern British Columbia, and Western Idaho.

3 comments about Oregon Desert Guide: 70 Hikes.

1. Having the privelege and good fortune to live in the northwest part of the country, I submit that in total, the Oregon High Desert may well be the most spectacular of all, in a region of superlative land and seascapes. It's certainly the most remote and unknown to the general public, in any case.

   Andy Kerr has done a thorough job with this book. First, even natives of the region (well, the west side of the Cascades, anyway), know virtually nothing about the High Desert country of Eastern and Central Oregon. Or of Idaho, either, for that matter. It helps to have an expert describe a new place for you first, and Kerr does a great job in this regard. He helps the neophyte and the veteran desert rat alike in describing how to get to where you want to go, and possibly most important, what map (US Geo quad) to use. When one gets remote -- and in this country you can get seriously remote -- one needs a good map. This is country where it's highly likely that your cellphone won't work, where off pavement, dragon tooth rocks are ready to flatten your tires, and where gas stations are a long way apart.

   Kerr breaks the book down into several sections, which include the Basics, natural and unnatural history, political happenings (a big deal! politics about land use in this part of the West is very contentious), descriptions of the various ecoregions covered, appendices, a reading list and plenty of maps, tables and pictures. The photos in the book are by Sandy Lonsdale. My only complaint here is that the photography didn't include some color shots. The Basics covers alot of ground, talking about everything from maps and getting around to things to be aware of like heatstroke, lightning, bugs, etc. There's even a table detailing services available in the local communities that are in the region. If you like your coffee just plain and in a cup, or are an "expresso" diletante, Kerr tells you where you can find what you need. Ditto for beer and eats as well. My personal favorite is at the cafe at Fields, a tiny hamlet in far SE Oregon. The milkshakes there after a long day in the field are a spiritual experience and the cheeseburgers ain't half bad, either. It's a great place to hear the local banter, too. Some of it's just local gossip and some of it's damned informative. For example, the owner of the Fields gas station/cafe (it was for sale last year), will open up after hours if you need gas. The locals (neighbors), gossip about the same things city folks gossip with their neighbors about. Often, though, they live many miles apart, and many of them have to travel more than two hundred miles round-trip, just to go to the grocery store, so you get an idea of how remote this place really is. Speaking of interacting with the locals, it's just fine to shoot the breeze, but it'd be smart to avoid politics, unless you find out that you're on the same political wavelength.....

   This is a very concise book about a part of the United States that will stun you with it's remoteness and rugged beauty. As I stated early on, this country is virtually unknown, even to many Northwest natives, but is worth every mile you drive to get to your chosen hike/backpack adventure. Having been fortunate enough to have explored a fair sampling of the territory Kerr writes about, I must say that this is an region that will blow away the first time visitor and veteran alike. I make three or four trips there every year, and every time, I'm awed by the sheer vastness and silence of the high desert. It's big, empty and just plain magnificent. Let's face it, there are few places left that one can truly find solitude, and you'll find many such places to be found in this book. So buy the guide, read it, gather your gear, gas up your car (put that SUV to work besides commuting!)and pick a hike. And don't forget your copy of the book to read on the trip, either.

   Having made a trip and discovered what I'm talking about, join a grassroots organization, like the Oregon Natural Desert Association, The Sierra Club (they have a High Desert Committee in the Portland office), or one of many other groups that help to protect this great, vast, natural landscape that we love.

   One more thing: Reading the other "review" about this book, I had to laugh at the ignorance of the writer. Did I say land use issues in the Great Basin are contentious? Organizations such as Oregon Natural Desert Association, the High Desert Committee of the Sierra Club and the Oregon Natural Resources Council, along with Kerr and thousands of other "desert rats" are committed to keeping this great landscape wild and free -- as it should be. And ending welfare ranching is a damned good start.
   Try reading Lynn Jacobs "Waste of the West" or George Wuerthner's "Welfare Ranching," and you'll see what I'm talking about and why I feel so strongly about this place.

   The main thing, though, is to pick a hike in Andy Kerr's book, get your gear together and go find out for yourself!




2. I thought I was buying a guide book to Eastern Oregon's wild country. Instead, I received a book filled with "green propaganda", superficial information, misguided objectivety, and a warped perspective into what the "Eco Terrorists" agenda truly is for Eastern Oregon.



3. Thank God for libraries. If I had paid money for this book I'd be returning it for a refund.
   
   As a hiking guide this book is a dismal failure. There are no maps of either road directions to the trailheads or of the hikes themselves. Driving and hiking directions are vague and contain several errors. Descriptions of the hikes seldom top 30 words and contain little useful or interesting information. I seriously doubt the authors have been on most of these hikes.
   
   Describing this as a hiking guide is dishonest. As a previous reviewer stated, it is a political manifesto. If you go for that sort of thing, you may like the book. If you're looking for a hiking book get one of the Falcon guides or one o the excellent books by William L. Sullivan (100 hikes in Eastern Oregon, 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades, 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon, etc.).

1 comments about Best Coast Hikes of Northern California: A Guide to the Top Trails from Big Sur to the Oregon Border.

1. Original Post (2000): This book is great if you're looking for places that are off the beaten path. For example: instead of going to Muir Woods to see redwoods (and hordes of tourists), head off to Heritage Grove in La Honda for a chance to be one-on-one with the mighty trees (and check out the banana slugs as well!). I've only hiked about 4 of the 70+ trails so far, but they have all been worthwhile. Highly recommended!

   Update (2003): Wow - I'm glad "13 out of 13 readers" found my review useful! :-)

   Three years later, this now lovingly-worn book has accompanied me on a dozen more hikes, from Mendocino to Big Sur. Friends and visitors are always amazed at how I've been able to magically find these spectacular places! The Appendices with Suggested Hikes are quite useful -- I have yet to be disappointed with the "Grand Views" of various parts of the Bay Area, for example. I can thank this book for providing many special memories, photos, and aching limbs (hey, the author was not joking about those "strenuous" hikes!).

   Oh, I also purchased another Marc Soares book, "100 Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area". While some hikes do overlap with this book, I'd recommend as a nice companion volume -- especially if you live inland (like me) and don't always have time to head to the coast.

1 comments about Camping Oregon, 2nd (Regional Camping Series).

1. This is a great camping guide. It has all the campgrounds listed. It could have had another rating like beauty of the campground, but I loved it. From the description I could tell if we would like the campground or not and if it turned out not to be the nicest one, we could look up all other campgrounds in the area. The maps were helpful, directions easy and descriptions mostly fit. It's amazing how many nice campgrounds there are in Oregon! Also it is very well organized and you can find your way through the book very quick.

2 comments about Weekend Rock Oregon: Trad and Sport Routes from 5.0 to 5.10a (Weekend Rock).

1. If you are planning a climbing trip to Oregon this Rock Climbing Guide is a must. The routes of Smith Rock are worth the price alone. This guide is for beginning and intermediate climbers (5.0 to 5.10a). The route descriptions, pictures, and diagrams are awesome. Climb some of the states most beautiful locations. This book is a great guide and instrutor.



2. This book is perfect for climbers who only need descriptions of routes 5.10a and under. (The author includes highly rated 5.10b/c routes, as well.) It gets discouraging looking at books where I have to flag the few pages that refer to climbs I can do. This book is reasonably priced and full of great pictures, information, and climbs I can do. What more could I want in a guide?

No comments about Audubon Guide to the National Wildlife Refuges: Alaska & the Pacific Northwest: Alaska, Oregon, Washington (Audubon Guides to the National Wildlife Refuges).

No comments about Oregon Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (Curiosities Series).

3 comments about Hunting Oregon.

1. I found "Hunting Oregon" to be a very good read. It was hard to put it down. Because I am an avid hunter I found myself gobbling up as many chapters as I could before I had to give my eyes a break. For those not familiar with hunting in Oregon or those wishing to bone up on the different species - THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!



2. Hunting Oregon is a complete hunting guide, covering waterfowl on up to big game. It is full of information and very well put together. It is written for, but not limited to, Oregon Hunters. All those who appreciate hunting will be delighted to see this book, packed with fantastic photos of game in their habitats and hunters in action. There is information ranging from shot selection for birds, Oregon unit maps and capturing your trophies on film. It gives complete instruction on caring for big game meat, and field care of trophies to aid your taxidermist. You'll find information for rifle, archery and muzzle-loaders. This comprehensive guide even includes recipes! A GREAT BOOK FOR HUNTERS, FROM ANY STATE!



3. Being interested in taking up hunting, I found Hunting Oregon quite informative as well as enjoyable reading. The full color photos were great!

5 comments about Weekends for Two in the Pacific Northwest: 50 Romantic GetawaysSecond Edition, Completely Revised and Updated (Weekends for Two).

1. This book has done a wonderful job of collecting some of the best places in the Pacific Northwest for couples. It gives comprehensive descriptions, tells you the best rooms to stay in, gives rates (they may be a little out of date now, but still-ballpark), and in general does a good job of showcasing the selected hotels. It made me want to visit every one of them. If you live in the area, or are visiting, and are romantically inclined, or know someone who is, get this book.



2. "Weekends for Two in the Pacific Northwest" is a perfect resource for couples looking to have some away-time in a special place. From Ashland to Seattle, the beautiful photographs and detailed explainations are very helpful in planning your gettaway. Prices and aspects of dozens of hotels, lodges, B&Bs, etc. are explored and the authors even give personal oppinons, and suggestions on which rooms are more romantic. I would recommend this book to anyone with a heart for romance. It's a favorite in my household!



3. My husband and I spent a wonderful two days in July 2000 staying in "The Cabin." at the Guest House Cottages on Whidbey Island. We found this romantic spot in this book. There are so many wonderful places in this book, so I will tell you about the place we stayed to give you an idea of the quality of the listings presented in this great resource.
   
   We stayed in the cutest log cabin you have ever seen, pictures at my site. A complimentary continental breakfast was set up for us on arrival. We loved having our own kitchen and a grocery store nearby so we could pick up needed supplies for a picnic at the beach. There was a beautiful pool where you could lay out in the sun. In the winter you would be sipping hot chocolate by one of the beautiful fireplaces in your cabin. The cabins were off the road in the woods and have queen or king-size featherbeds. The floors, walls and ceilings were all wood. They have river-rock fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, skylights and antique furnishings. The one we stayed in had beautiful stained-glass windows. They really went out of their way to make our stay as romantic as possible. Once you have your key, the cabin is all yours. It is your own private getaway. If you are running late they even offer to leave the key out for you when you arrive.
   
   There was a private deck complete with barbecue and two chairs so you could sit and look out over the pond inhabited by African geese. The surroundings were lush and green and we saw lots of the cutest bunnies.
   
   We also visited a lavender field and brought home a little lavender plant. If you do visit these same cottages, don't forget to visit Deception Pass. In fact, plan to stay at least two days, there are plenty of activities, including hiking and sailing.
   
   I can truly say that without this book, we would most likely have never known about this secret hideaway. So, between you and me....don't tell too many people! This is a great place. Only tell your best friends or buy them this book. I also recommend this book as a wedding present.
   
   The pages are filled with pictures of each getaway and the general prices are also listed for your convenience. I believe there is a new book with updated information, but this is the one I have.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



4. I live in this part of the country, I didn't know there was no much great places to stay here! Thank you! I know lots of places to get away! I just need that special someone! :)



5. This is a fabulous resource for those who want to get away from it all in the Pacific Northwest. I picked up this book because even though I grew up in the NW, I have always wanted to take a weekend somewhere quiet and romantic in the area. Our trips home these days are filled with relatives and family events, which while wonderful are draining in their own right. OK, well perhaps the stress of an executive job in corporate America, and two small, wonderful, relentless, beautiful, demanding....children makes the idea of a weekend with nothing to do but watch the ocean, read, and relax, something to aspire to, and dream about, and well, something we must do now for our sanity!
   
   The book looks at romantic inns, bed and breakfasts, and small hotels throughout the northwest from the Oregon coast, to British Columbia, both in small towns and out of the way secluded locations to the big cities like Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. The different locations are presented in full color, and organized by region.
   
   I really enjoyed the combination of descriptions and many personal insights. The photography is outstanding, and each location is presented well. However, I would depict this book as being more as a coffee table book than a travel guide. Many travel guides have much more detail to use while on the road. This book is one that can be used to make a choice, while knowing that follow up information will be required to execute your plans.
   
   This is a beautiful book, well written, and one that will hopefully generate the result of a weekend getaway for us in the near future. A great visual and informational treat for anyone interested in visiting this part of the country.

2 comments about Backcountry Ski! Oregon: Classic Descents for Skiers & Snowboarders, Including Southwest Washington.

1. What makes Van Tilburg's latest guidebook so good has a lot to do with why Van Tilburg was the perfect person to write it. He's not only an expert skier and snowboarder, but he's also an expert mountaineer, canyoneer, and wilderness medicine physician. When he guides you on these classic descents, you are in good hands. He not only shows you the best places to go, but makes sure you have the information to stay safe and get home in one piece. Let's face it -- if we were experts we wouldn't need a guidebook. If we need a guidebook, we need one written by someone with experience and good sense. Van Tilburg is a good man to follow.



2. Backcountry ski oregon is a nice guide. The photos are not as good as the ones in oregon descents but it offers a few more routes. Some of the routes are part of ski areas. useful book