With the drop in temperatures, it’s important to dress in layers when you venture out. Wear warm and comfortable footwear, and be aware of the terrain, as winter affects the conditions of trails. Be sure to have the right gear, including hand warmers, reflective clothing, or headlamps.

Outside Winter Activities

– Many summer hiking trails transform into winter wonderlands, perfect for those who prefer to explore on foot by hiking, walking, or running. 

– For those looking to traverse snowy landscapes, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing offer excellent ways to stay active and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. 

– Winter bicycling through snow-covered trails or along frosty roads offers a unique perspective on familiar landscapes.

– For the truly adventurous, winter camping offers an unparalleled way to experience nature’s quiet beauty.

– Winter brings unique bird-watching opportunities, with migratory species appearing in their seasonal habitats. 

Year-round Guidebooks

Guidebooks from AdventureKEEN provide weather information, along with some notes concerning gear and clothing, so that readers can enjoy the outdoors all year long. 

Top Trails: Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks provides winter activity information. Snowmobiling in the park is possible with permits; a lottery starts September 1st. Starting in November, permits can be used to rent snowmobiles or bring your own. Guided tours with snow vehicles are also an option. Skiers and snowshoers don’t need guides for the groomed and ungroomed trail options. 

Afoot & Afield: Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Rocky Mountain National Park provides detailed descriptions of hikes and labels trails that are suitable for snowshoeing and skiing in the winter. 

Backpacking Idaho provides information on when trails are open in the remote Idaho wilderness. While most trails are open from July to October, the book features one trail that is open all year (except during snowstorms) and another that is open from May to November. 

60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Minneapolis and St. Paul includes some skiing trails. 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Cleveland labels maps for ski resorts near trails, sledding hills, and ice-skating areas.

The Minnesota Adventure Weekends guidebook provides detailed winter recreation options. It supplies information on over 20 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and skiing at a park near a campground, as well as more than 40 miles of groomed trails for fat biking (that share the path with snowshoers and cross-country skiers). It also mentions a trail for snowmobiling in the winter and describes resources for winter camping. 

Books in the Finders series, such as Winter Weed Finder and Winter Tree Finder, provide detailed information to identify species in winter months. Also, Rocky Mountain and Pacific Coast Mammal Finders, Bird Finder, and Track Finder can make winter hiking or walking more of an exploration of what you see in the snowy landscape.

Embrace the Adventure

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of outdoor exploration. Whether snowshoeing through silent forests, capturing the perfect winter sunrise, or observing wildlife in their snowy habitats, the great outdoors offers endless opportunities for adventure and rejuvenation. Discover new ways to appreciate the beauty of the season and create lasting memories in nature’s winter playground this holiday break.

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Established in 2010, Small Business Saturday was a response by American Express to the recession. It was created to offset the large-scale commercial events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Its primary goal is to encourage consumers to “shop small” and support local businesses. For independent bookstores, this initiative is essential to showcase their unique offerings and compete with larger retail chains and online giants.

In 2023, US consumers reported spending an estimated $17 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on this day alone. This figure demonstrates a growing support for local businesses and the event’s increasing influence since it began.

Independent Bookstore Communities

Independent bookstores play a crucial role in their communities, offering more than just books. They serve as gathering spaces for literary events, book clubs, and author signings. These stores often curate their selections carefully, providing personalized recommendations that algorithms can’t match. Local shops also contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and keeping money within the community.

Despite facing challenges from online retailers and large chains, independent bookstores have shown resilience. The Indies First campaign, promoted by the American Booksellers Association since 2013, has been instrumental in rallying support for these stores during Small Business Saturday. This initiative has led to festive events, sales, and author appearances nationwide, effectively bringing communities together and kickstarting the holiday shopping season.

AdventureKEEN’s Shop Local, Live Local Campaign

AdventureKEEN has demonstrates its commitment to independent bookstores through initiatives like Shop Local, Live Local. This program encourages people to shop local all year long and provides a donation to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc). This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in 1996, coordinates charitable programs to strengthen retailers of books and comic books. 

In 2024, AdventureKEEN donated $10,000 to Binc to help indie bookstores in need.

Shop Small This Holiday Season

Readers can support independent bookstores and AdventureKEEN this Small Business Saturday by participating in events such as author signings and outdoors-themed workshops, as well as by purchasing books.

Small Business Saturday offers a unique opportunity to celebrate and support independent bookstores in our communities. By choosing to shop at local businesses and selecting books from publishers like AdventureKEEN, consumers not only enrich their own lives but also contribute to the vibrancy of their local economies and literary landscapes.

As we approach this year’s Small Business Saturday, let’s remember the power of our purchasing decisions. Every book bought from an independent bookstore is an investment in your community’s culture, knowledge, and future. AdventureKEEN’s commitment to outdoor exploration and nature appreciation adds another layer of value, encouraging readers to connect with the world around them. 

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Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health Benefits

Spending time out in nature has been linked to numerous physical health benefits. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve overall physical fitness. Activities like hiking and biking in natural settings contribute to better physical health.

Nature has a profound impact on our mental health as well. Research indicates that spending time in natural environments, such as while birding, paddling, or simply walking, can reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Nature’s calming effect can also improve mood, increase attention span, and enhance overall cognitive function.

Economic Advantages and Outdoor Space Challenges

Preserving natural areas can have significant economic benefits. Well-maintained outdoor spaces can increase property values, attract tourism, and create jobs in outdoor recreation and conservation sectors. Additionally, the ecosystem services provided by natural areas, such as air and water purification, can result in substantial cost savings for communities.

Our outdoor spaces face numerous challenges, including climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution. These issues threaten biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and the overall health of our planet. Neglecting environmental problems can lead to irreversible damage to natural areas. This may result in the loss of recreational spaces, decreased air and water quality, and negative impacts on wildlife populations. Understanding these challenges is crucial for making informed voting decisions.

Historical examples demonstrate the power of voting in favor of environmental protections. The establishment of national parks, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act are all results of public support and legislative action. These successes highlight the tangible impact that informed voting can have on our natural world.

What You Can Do

Preserving our natural spaces and recognizing nature’s benefits are crucial for the well-being of individuals, communities, and the planet as a whole. By understanding the importance of voting for outdoor initiatives and actively engaging in nature advocacy, we can play a vital role in protecting and enhancing our environment. Let us remember that every vote, every action, and every moment spent in nature contributes to a healthier, more sustainable world.

Consider taking these steps to support our natural world:

• Register to vote, and stay informed about environmental issues on your ballot.
• Spend time in nature regularly and observe its benefits firsthand.
• Get involved with local conservation efforts or environmental organizations.
• Share your experiences and knowledge about the outdoors with others.
• Adopt sustainable practices in your daily life.

Together, we can make a difference in preserving and enjoying the natural world around us. Let’s vote for the outdoors and embrace nature’s countless benefits.

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The Best Tent Camping books are comprehensive guides for outdoor enthusiasts seeking the perfect camping experience. This collection of books offers invaluable insights into the most serene and scenic tent-camping locations across various states in the United States. These guides serve as essential resources for both novice and experienced campers alike.

Choose the right spot

Tent camping is an immersive nature experience, as well as a cost-effective outdoor adventure. It allows flexibility and freedom in choosing locations and provides opportunity for digital detox and reconnection with nature. Our 30 guides in the series highlight quieter, less-known campgrounds, emphasize scenic beauty and tranquility, and detail information on privacy and cleanliness of sites. Each book narrows down the list to the best 50 spots in the state. Campgrounds are curated by using a rating system, which is based on a five-star ranking of beauty, site privacy, site spaciousness, quiet, security, and cleanliness.

Each campground profile leads with a descriptive sentence that best summarizes the site. For example, the Hood Creek Campground in the Montana edition is “Hood Creek is lakeside surrounded by mountains, wildflower meadows, and waterfalls.” Another example from the Montana edition, Spire Rock Campground, is “At the doorstep of activities and attractions where you can also have a great tent-camping experience, essentially in seclusion.”

Our expert authors also describe each campground using ratings, key information that covers any restrictions for the area, and a getting there section that also includes a campground layout map and GPS entrance coordinates. In the introduction to each guide, you’ll also find information on weather; a first aid kit that lists all the basic necessities; details on animal and plant hazards (such as bears, rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison ivy); and some extra helpful camping tips.

Find your next spot

The Best Tent Camping series stands as an invaluable resource for tent-camping enthusiasts. By highlighting the best camping spots in various states, these books empower campers to find less crowded and more beautiful sites, ultimately providing a more enriching camping experience that has great benefits to your health.

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting your outdoor adventures, the Best Tent Camping series offers something for everyone. From the serene landscapes of Utah to the diverse terrains of Illinois, Tennessee, or Kentucky, these guides will help you discover the perfect spot for your next camping trip.

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By Diane Stresing

Park apps, maps, the weather – it’s all in your phone. In 2024, does anyone really need a hiking guidebook? Well, thousands of people who’ve purchased title in the 60 Hikes within 60 Miles series say yes.

The explanation is simple: each title consolidates information on 60 unique hikes within 60 miles of a major metropolitan area – that is, on your home turf.

Could you compile the information on each hike, on your own? Well, yes. But why? 

The author of each guidebook has not only done the research for you, they’ve hiked the trails (more than once) and spoken with trail managers or other people who are knowledgeable about the terrain, conditions, and nearby area. 

Full disclosure: I wrote 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Cleveland. (Lucky me!) The fourth edition will be available in September. While I love Northeast Ohio, and I like to think I did a good job with the assignment, I’m realistic about the book’s popularity: the best thing about the 60 Hikes series is the organization. It’s brilliant. (And unfortunately, I can’t take any credit for that!)

The books are designed to help busy outdoor enthusiasts make the most of their precious recreation time. 

Take a look: 

The first page of each book features a map of coverage area. In most cases, it’s a circular area drawn around the title city. In Cleveland (and Chicago, and other Great Lakes titles, plus Miami and Seattle), the area is less of a circle and more of a blob (that’s the technical term) spilling out from the coast.

The map makes it easy to see, at a glance, trails near where your commute, errands, or other local responsibilities take you. When my kids had soccer and basketball games all over a seven-county region, I referred to my own book to pick trails I could visit between games.

That’s right. When other parents were dutifully seeking the best burger and ice cream shops near the match, I was the fun mom saying, “Oooh, look, let’s hike there between games!” (My kids have since forgiven me. I’m pretty sure.)

It’s a modern problem: thanks to our busy schedules, we can get in a rut, staying close to home and work and then, when we have time to vacation, we go as far from home as our schedules will allow. 

The 60 Hikes series makes it easy to explore the best, most enjoyable hiking destinations close to home. 

Each hike listing starts with a one- or two-sentence overview of the trek mentioning the main attraction (awesome vistas, notable history or geology). 

The key info section lists 13 pieces of pertinent information including distance, difficulty, trail surface, accessibility, exposure, and more. 

The description is a narrative, noting what you’ll see, interesting history, flora and fauna – and it explains how to stay on the trail if and when spots on the route can be confusing. 

In other words, everything you need to know to be prepared to enjoy your outing. 

The Nearby Activities section at the end of each description points out other attractions worth stopping to see. This includes that excellent ice cream shop, another trail just down the road, a go kart track, museum, and so forth.  

So who needs a guidebook in 2024? Not you, if you’re willing to do hours of research before setting out to explore 60 of the best trails within an hour or so of your front door. But if you’d like a little help making the most of your too-precious hiking time, this is the guidebook you’ve been looking for. 

Plan to make the most of your unplugged time with a 60 Hikes title that covers your “backyard” hiking territory.

Makes a great gift for teachers, retirees, and grads! 

And, autographed copies make extra-meaningful gifts. Because all of our authors are locals, they often sign books at area nature center gift shops and bookstores. Check with your local outfitter or bookseller if you’d like an autographed copy.

The post Who Needs a Guidebook in 2024? appeared first on Menasha Ridge Press Blog.

The Story Behind the Collection

William Nealy was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He explored the Alabama backwoods as a Boy Scout and later became a river guide. Although William dropped out of high school, he managed to gain acceptance into college. He was an avid reader—of about 300 books a year—as he liked to gain knowledge. He started dating Holly Wallace in high school. They later married and settled down in North Carolina in a house that William built himself. They had many animals on the property, plus a houseboat in Virginia. 

This is how William described himself in a bio for a magazine:

“Nealy has been a boy scout, an underground cartoonist (late 60s), high school dropout, war resistor, civil rights activist, construction worker, college student (BA 1976), mountain rescue specialist, garbage man, professional rock musician (drummer), police analyst, sculptor, spelunker, motorcyclist, bowhunter, paramedic, canoeist, kayaker, river guide, fork-lift driver, parachutist, author (ten books translated into three languages), real estate photographer, yachtsman, sport angler, traditional archer, rollerblader, tree surgeon, environmental activist, and, occasionally, a drunk and drug addict. Plus a few other things we can’t mention ‘til the statute of limitations runs out. Also a political cartoonist, illustrator, private detective (2 arrests, 1 conviction, 1 pending), lifeguard, etc., etc. I’ve done more crazy a** stuff than any other cartoonist on the ***ing planet, period! And I still have enough brain cells to write books about my exploits.”

Career

It was at River Runner’s Emporium that William had the idea of creating a map of the water to help the people who would come in asking about the rapids on Haw River. William and his boss, Howard Du Bose, would figure out the features of the river and the movement. William drew the map of the Upper Haw and added his cartoons to the mix. From here, the market for these grew, and so did the number of rivers he drew.

William later walked into the Nantahala Outdoor Center and approached the manager, John Barber. He introduced himself to John, who had worked on the river for 25 years, and showed him the map he’d created. When John liked it and ordered 1,000 of them, William is said to have looked “quite flabbergasted.” 

It was shortly after this interaction that William created his own self-publishing company that explored major rivers in the Southeast. He ended up creating around 15 maps and had added some books by the time Menasha Ridge Press was started by Bob Sehlinger and Holly’s father, E.D. Wallace. William then wrote for Menasha from 1982 to 2000. 

Menasha Ridge Press Collection

The company currently sells 17 maps and 10 books by William. Bob, his longtime friend and publisher, writes:

“When William Nealy died in 2001, paddling lost its Poet Laureate, one of its best teachers, and its greatest icon. William was arguably the best-known ambassador of whitewater sport, entertaining and instructing hundreds of thousands of paddlers through his illustrated books, including the classics: Whitewater Home Companion Volumes I and II; Whitewater Tales of Terror; Kayaks to Hell; and his best-known work, Kayak, which combined expert paddling instruction with artful caricatures and parodies of the whitewater community itself.”

Books:

-1981 Whitewater Home Companion (Volumes I and II)

-1982 Kayaks to Hell

-1983 Whitewater Tales of Terror

-1986 Kayak: The New Frontier

-1989 The Mountain Bike Way of Knowledge

-1990 Skiing Tales of Terror

-1992 Mountain Bike!

-1998 Inline! 

-2000 The Nealy Way of Knowledge

River Maps:

–Upper Haw River

-Browns Canyon

-Savage

-Hiwassee River

-Shangrilaha

-New River

-Gauley River

-Cheat Canyon

-Ocoee River

-Chattooga (Sections III and IV)

-Lower Youghiogheny River

-Nolichucky River Gorge

-Nantahala River

-French Broad River

-Duke Forest

William Nealy in a Nutshell

His brother-in-law, Daniel Wallace (author of Big Fish), recently published This Isn’t Going to End Well, described by The New York Times as “a eulogy, a cautionary tale, a love letter and a sob of anger.” In the book, Daniel writes about how much he idolized William. The author declares, “William knew a lot, and everything he knew he taught himself. Then he shared what he learned with the rest of us. Teaching and taking care of us, his friends and family, humor and art: This is what kept him alive until he was almost fifty years old.” 

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Explore Duluth

Paul Kautz’s Duluth book has a lot for children to do. Congdon Park has incredible waterfalls, rapids, and bridges for kids to explore. There are great hikes here, too, but the locations have no facilities for little ones to use, so make sure to plan ahead. 

The DWP (Duluth, Winnipeg, Pacific) Trail and the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory hike are other great possibilities for kids. The DWP offers a short hike through an abandoned railroad tunnel, and kids enjoy using flashlights to pass through here. The Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory hike is not super strenuous; there are plenty of places to explore, and it ends with bird-viewing areas. 

Kingsbury Creek has a nice, short creek loop near the zoo. Lester Park has a fun playground for the kids, but it is very popular, so it may be crowded.

Explore Asheville

In the Asheville book, John Verhovshek includes an adventure park with a bike park, a treetop challenge course, and zipline tours. Most of these options are suitable for children as young as 4 years old. 

Lake Powhatan has more than 40 miles of trails, ranging from easy to difficult. There are many options for children to swim, fish, picnic, hike, and bike in this area. There is also a play area at the WNC Nature Center for kids to enjoy.

Explore Twin Cities

Kate Havelin, an award-winning local author, has shared many spots that are great for all seasons. As Kate lists, if you want “camping, disc golf, snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing, [then] Hyland Lake Park Reserve is a great option. Anglers need a Minnesota fishing license. The park rents canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboats, and winter sports gear and loans Nordic walking poles and bird-watching and bug study kits.” Trails lead to the visitor center, which has a snack bar, play area, water sports, and the scenic Lake Trail. 

Elm Creek Reserve is a 5,000-acre park with multiple trails that pass grasslands, prairies, lakes, and woods. Elm Creek also hosts a chlorinated swim pond, archery, camper cabins, disc golf, a giant play area, and lighted trails. In winter, they have a 10-story-high lighted tubing hill. 

Tamarack Nature Center has a playground right near the entrance called The Discovery Hollow Nature Play Area. It has space for kids to climb, crawl, garden, build tree forts, play in the mud, and make dams. 

Explore Tucson

Karen Krebbs is a naturalist who includes the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum as a destination for children in her book. There are 2 miles of walking paths at this educational museum about natural history and preservation set on 21 acres.

Two trails, Birding and Nature, at Catalina State Park are appropriate for families and children, as they are not strenuous but offer fantastic views of the Catalina Mountains.

The Gene C. Reid Park, across 131 acres, has two lakes, a zoo, covered pools, playgrounds, an indoor recreation center, and much more. The zoo covers 24 acres and houses around 500 animals. 

Explore Austin

In Charlie Llewellin’s Austin book, he mentions a wakeboard park called Next Level Ride that is great for kids of all ages. It is known to be well-equipped, professionally run, and a great place to burn off energy. This facility has a series of gantries holding cables that run around an oval lake. After some time practicing, Charlie says you might get to the “skill level of the 6-year-olds doing tricks on the ramps.”

Our Explore series guides are designed to be the perfect companions for everyone, including families looking to venture outdoors and discover new adventures. Whether your family prefers hiking, bird-watching, swimming, or engaging in thrilling adventure sports, these guidebooks will lead you to unforgettable experiences that enrich your travels and deepen your appreciation for the great outdoors.

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Inside the Five-Star Trails series, you will find ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children. Each hike has GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles (when needed), and directions to the trailheads, as well as a detailed description of the surroundings. 

The fun bonus content given in this series is also helpful. The included historical context, presented in small doses, earns these guidebooks a spot next to your regular reading material. The guides also offer information on nearby attractions, sometimes including food recommendations or nearby trails or parks to visit. In short, these are guidebooks that you can read even when you’re not out hiking.    

When Things Change

Each book in the series continues to be updated with new editions. Five-Star Trails: Louisville & Southern Indiana is in its second edition and includes 14 new hikes in the Greater Louisville area. Full-color photography and topography maps have also been added.

Five-Star Trails: South Carolina Upstate is also in its second edition, with updates to popular trails that have changed course, in addition to several new hikes.

Expert Authors

Each book in this series is written by an expert outdoors person. Valerie Askren, author of Five-Star Trails: Louisville & Southern Indiana, has a background in natural resource economics in academia, but her passion is the wilderness. She has experience in traveling: swimming in Africa’s Lake Malawi, climbing China’s Mount Tai, sailing the coast of southern France, biking in Nova Scotia, backpacking across Canada, surviving the biting cold of farm life in Ukraine, and kayaking in the Grand Canyon. Valerie lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where a peaceful wooded path, beautiful public garden, or historic walking trail is always close at hand. 

Sherry Jackson, author of Five-Star Trails: South Carolina Upstate, has documented her travels since she was a little girl. She grew up hiking with her family in the Grand Canyon and Superstition Mountain in Arizona and creating travel journals to record the vacations. Although her love of travel takes her all over the world, Sherry has become an expert in her home state of South Carolina.

Route Details

This section gives written descriptions of each trail. Here is an example from Five-Star Trails: South Carolina Upstate: 

“This moderate hiking trail begins at the Foothills Trail parking area and ascends slightly uphill on the gravel road about 500 feet until you reach a turnoff area. Signage here says you are at the right place, the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve. Head to the left past the red barrier gate and begin the trail.

“The dirt and gravel path is fairly wide as you begin your journey, following an old logging road. A deep gorge is to the left as you wind around with a mountain on the right. Following the yellow blazes, the trail curves quite a bit but is mostly level. You will have amazing views of nearby Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina at 3,533 feet above sea level.”

Where to Find This Series

You can find this series at your local bookstore, and if it’s not in stock, it can often be ordered. You can also support your local bookstores when you order online at bookshop.org. Check out AdventureKEEN’s website for a list of all the guidebooks in this series. 

The post Discover the Best Hiking Spots with Our Five-Star Trails Guidebooks appeared first on Menasha Ridge Press Blog.

This spring, U.S. Olympic Trials are being held for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 2024 Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Olympic Team Trials will be held at two locations starting in April: Montgomery Whitewater Park in Montgomery, Alabama, and Riversport OKC, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Where Paddling Started

The Inuit and Aleut people of the Arctic region built the first kayaks approximately 5,000 years ago. They would make them by stretching the skins of seals or other animals over frames of whale bones or driftwood. These kayaks were used primarily for hunting seals, walrus, whales, and waterfowl.

The first built canoe has yet to be discovered, but one of the oldest known is the Pesse canoe, located in the Netherlands, constructed between 8040 and 7510 BC. This Scotch pine log dugout is 17 inches wide and slightly under 10 feet long; today, it resides in the Drents Museum.

Olympic Canoe & Kayak Games

Eventually, canoeing/kayaking evolved into a recreational sport, first appearing in the Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1924 in Paris. 

Canoe/kayak sprint (flatwater racing) entered as a full-medal sport in the Olympics in 1936 in Berlin, and women were able to compete in the 1948 London Olympic Games. Athletes race in calm water for the shortest time in a 200, 500, or 1,000-meter-long course.

Canoe/kayak slalom (whitewater slalom) was added to the Olympic program in Munich in 1972. This event runs in a canoe or kayak on an artificial slope of rapid-flowing waters for 250 meters with downstream and upstream gates.

Newest Addition

Kayak Cross will debut in Paris this summer! Four athletes will race against one another on a course, with the starting ramp more than 2 meters above the water. During this short downstream-and-upstream course, competitors must also complete a successful roll, a 360 flip in their kayak.

Helpful Resources

Outside of survival and Olympic sports, many genuinely enjoy paddling as a recreational hobby. Our Canoeing & Kayaking series is an engaging resource for for those looking to try new runs or destinations. These guidebooks contain maps, GPS coordinates, data, length and time, and helpful tips for paddlers in specific regions. We currently have expert guides to seven states; our latest updated edition is Canoeing & Kayaking Florida.

Another series that coincides is our Paddling collection. These books have beautiful photographs, maps, and data to help you plan your next great adventure. Our next updated edition in this series will be released on May 2024: Paddling Long Island & New York City.  

Whether paddlers are on an Olympic course, a serene solo trip, a family-filled outing, or a personal-challenge river run with friends, canoeing and kayaking is a fun adventure for people of all ages, experiences, and abilities.

The post Paddling: From Ancient Times to the Modern Olympic Games appeared first on Menasha Ridge Press Blog.

Like most guidebooks, Hike Virginia North of US 60 will tell you where the hikes are and how to follow the pathways, and it will point out the plants, animals, and birds you may see along the way. It differs from many guides, however, in that it also contains interpretive information; by using it, you will not be hiking; Not only will you be informed where to turn left, right, and so forth, but you will also receive background information on the plants, animals, and natural and human history or issues facing a particular area. You will understand why the pink lady’s slipper grows in such an exotic shape as well as learn to look for signs that show whether a bear or a turkey inhabits an area. You will also be able to determine why human history has left its mark on the land and what caused certain events. 

The region covered in this travel guide, stretching from the Allegheny Mountains to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, is diverse and beautiful, and the plants and wildlife are varied and abundant. The hikes selected for this book range from easy walks on level ground to ambitious, multi-day backpacking excursions over rugged terrain. Each entry includes full-color maps and photographs, as well as driving directions and trail descriptions. 

In the eastern coastal plain, you will walk for miles and miles upon quiet beaches and see herons and egrets as they fish in swamps, ponds, and slow-moving streams. In central Virginia, you will pass between grassy meadows with open views and mixed hardwood forests. The trails in the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountain regions need no introduction with their impressive waterfalls and valley views that seem to be right out of storybook settings. Plus, hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail create opportunities for backpacking!

So pick up a copy and let Adkins help you experience the joys of walking and hiking throughout Northern Virginia. Be sure to pick up a copy of the companion book Hike Virginia: South of US 60: 51 Hikes from the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Coast and add another 400 miles of epic hiking trails to complete your outdoor adventures! 

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