1 comments about Yellowstone (Natural World).

1. When I was eleven, our family drove with a camper on a half-ton truck to Yellowstone from Southern California. It was one of the most magical experiences of my life. I haven't been back in all of these years because so many people say that it's not as great. Having seen the wonderful photographs in the book makes me think that I didn't see the best the first time.

   Most of the two million annual visitors to Yellowstone come in July or August, and the roads are pretty crowded. I remember the begging bears best of all, but was also thrilled by the geysers and streams. An unexpected treat was to see the magnificent Grand Tetons on the way into Yellowstone.

   Erwin and Peggy Bauer live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, not far from Yellowstone. As a result, they can come in all seasons and know where to leave the road to see things that almost no one ever sees. I suspect that you could visit Yellowstone 50 times and not capture nearly all of the wonderful vistas, wildlife and wildflower images in this gorgeous book.

   Many of the color images evoked the feeling of the Hudson Valley school in their spiritual reverence for nature, such as Tower Creek on page four, Castle Geyser erupting at sunset on page 9, Grotto Geyser on pages 12-13, a bison at daybreak on page 14, Firehole River in winter on page 24, Mammoth Hot Springs under a threatening sky on pages 28-29, Castle Geyser erupting to blot out the sun on page 32, early autumn beside a roadside pond on page 35, Mammoth Hot Springs on page 36, a bull elk at daybreak on page 38, the Snake River during a smoky sunset in 1988 on page 56, a fawn in June on page 58, aspens along the Snake River in autumn on page 60, Oxbow Pond in Grand Teton Park on pages 64-65. And those are less than half of the truly inspiring images in the book.

   The essays were equally impressive for helping even a first-time visitor plan the right trip, for the right length of time. Here are the essays:

   The World's First National Park; The Yellowstone Landscape; The Wildlife of Yellowstone; The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem; Experiencing Yellowstone; The Fires of Yellowstone; The Rivers of Yellowstone; Winter in Yellowstone; and The Future of Yellowstone.

   The facts were fascinating, from the dangerous pursuit of Burgess to capture Howell before he wiped out all of the remaining bison in the park, to the reintroduction of wolves into the park, to the problems of overgrazing caused by mistaken Federal policies, to the dangers of exotic species to the native species in the park.

   Although I'm not much of a photographer, I think I could take the directions in the book and produce the best photographs of my life. The authors make it easy for even a neophyte to capture the best of Yellowstone.

   Most of those who enjoy natural photography are drawn to either the startling black-and-white photographs of Ansel Adams or to subdued natural images in color. I found these images captured the spirit of Ansel Adams in color that captured the moment well rather than over-romanticizing what is being displayed.
   
   After you finish this wonderful book, start making your notes and plans to visit and photograph Yellowstone . . . sometime before or after the crowds come next year. If you can, find an eleven-year-old to take along!

1 comments about Roamin\' Wyomin\': Circlin\' Great Divide Basin.

1. The Red Desert of Wyoming is a very interesting place, it's beautiful as all high desert is, but let's face it, if it was THAT beautiful it would have been a National Park or Monument long ago.
   
   the current Eco Push to make it one of these is unjustified, and is a Green PC attempt to stop ranching and mining in the region.
   
   I bought this book because the author is an old hand born in the area and I wanted to know what someone pushing a century thought about his old home grounds then and now.
   
   If I wasn't already a landowner in the region and a red desert rat to begin with I probably would not want to go there by reading this, there is too much regurgitating of road signs and landmark plaques, and far too much info on mining...I learned more about mining from reading this than I ever would want to know.
   
   AS a historical snap shot it is worth buying alone, the line that repeats is , I used to drive through this gate to this such and such historic landmark but now the gate has a lock on it...I don't know if the author was aware of the mantra or not, but it is a telling one...
   
   the barbed wire of the author's day stopped the free movement over the red desert, and now his freedom is stopped by the new barbed wire...Masterlock and Posted Signs.
   
   A good one to read through and carry if passing that way as it gives turn by turn directions and exits to get on and off at, places to eat and routes, people to look up and guides or locals who can share their knowledge with you in exploring the area.
   
   As I said, if I wasn't already in the area I don't know that it would make me go there, but if you like high desert at all it's worth the money.

3 comments about The Hog Ranches of Wyoming: Liquor, Lust, and Lies Under Sagebrush Skies.

1. Great snapshot of stories of Wyoming's early days and the "entertainment" available to the cowboys and the trouble they got into when they were entertaining. It appears that a lot of research had to be done to find out the details and stories to put into this writing. Fun reading..



2. Author, historian, Larry Brown, has written a well researched book on the house's of illrepute popular on the western frontier.



3. Great stories by a great storyteller. Reading each chapter is like eating a bowl of peanuts, before you know it you're done and really enjoyed!

No comments about The Discovery of Yellowstone Park.

No comments about Montana & Wyoming: An Explorer's Guide (Includes Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks).

1 comments about Day Hikes in Yellowstone National Park: 25 Favorite Hikes (The Day Hikes Series).

1. This is useful book but it could have been a lot better. It includes a good selection of short hikes and the maps are adequate but given the size of the book it could have included a lot more detail. The trail descriptions are brief and dry and don't tell you much about the areas you will be going through or what you are likly to see. Contrast this with Day Hiking Yellowstone by Tom Carter which includes much more interesting detail about plants, animals, geology and history in a much smaller book. Still, Stone's book is well worth getting because it includes a few hikes I haven't seen elsewhere. Example: A trail with a good chance of seeing Moose in the wild within easy walking distance of the motels of West Yellowstone.

No comments about History from the Highways: Wyoming.

5 comments about The Best Travel Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks : Including Jackson Hole Wyoming.

1. What an invaluable guide! Yellowstone was broken down into the Upper Loop and the Lower Loop, with every major sight listed around each loop. Distances were noted between all sights and thorough desrciptions of the sights themselves were included. I found the directions, descriptions and recommendations to all be highly accurate and informative. While we spent only very little time in the town of Jackson, we followed the writer's restaurant recommendations and we weren't disappointed! The writer also listed numerous activities for kids in Jackson: Ours especially enjoyed the Alpine Slide on Snow King. I'm certain we'll use this guide again and again!



2. This book provided little help for my last trip to Yellowstone. Don't believe the title. The maps are terrible and the book seems very poorly organized. There is just very little detail except for bars in Jackson Hole. This book should be titled "The Bar Guide to Jackson Hole". Forget about this one if you want helpful and detailed information on Yellowstone.



3. I purchased two guides for my trip to Yellowstone: this one and Moon Publications. I'm glad I did. Moon offered more in the way of maps and color photos. This book was a much more entertaining read, contained much information about the history of early settlers, interesting wildlife information, and the formation of features within Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. If I had to buy one guide it would have to be this one: There are tons of heplful and free information available from the park service if you want lots of colorful photos. Pick up the free stuff and bring along this book for a deeper study of the area.



4. This part of the country is not to be missed! I never knew such an incredible place existed so close to home. This book was my constant companion throughout my trip through both national parks. I found it to be accurate and well-written. The authors really knew their stuff! I spent 3 days in the parks and two days in Jackson. The book guided me to the best place for bike rentals and restaurants and without it, I don't know how I would have found such a great and inexpensive (comparitively) place to stay.



5. Good basic guide but you want the information to be up to date. I guess I should have looked at the publish date before I ordered. Ex. Says Campgrounds are first come first serve...not true, many now have a reservation only policy which could get you in a bit of trouble. Better books are offered out there.

No comments about U.S. National Forest Campground Guide: Pacific Southwest Region - North Section.

No comments about Echoes from the West.