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| You can take a walk on the wild side of nature, but be sure to know where you're going |
Call of the wild: Falcon Guides show the way
Web posted on: Friday, June 19, 1998 4:46:50 PM EDT
By CNN Interactive Writer
Jamie Allen
ATLANTA (CNN) -- There is a reason for summer. After spending all those months cooped up, hiding from either the cold or El Nino, the body yearns for heat and sunlight. Experiencing the great outdoors in the season of sun rejuvenates and replenishes.
But why fight the crowds at the beaches and amusement parks? Why not head off into the wild, get away from it all, get in touch with the quiet solitude that only nature can provide?
Falcon Guides, a series of books dedicated to those following their personal call to the wild, is helping readers do just that by focusing on specific types of nature vacations.
From "Scenic Driving Alaska and the Yukon" to "Mountain Biking New York," the guides point the compass to the best spots to play, climb, hike, fish, and be.
Frontier awaits in Alaska
Ever been to Alaska of the Yukon? The last great North American frontier is waiting, and yes, there's plenty of paved or graveled road to cover. But the roads do nothing to interfere with the scenery -- majestic mountains over endless outback and wildlife.
Falcon Guides offers maps to popular scenic routes, with text that hand-holds travelers as they experience the surroundings, offering tips on the best spots to see sights like Eagle Rock along the Yukon River, serene Upper Trail Lake, or the magnificent Pioneer Peaks
The guide is written by Erik Molvar, who has been exploring the Alaskan frontier for years.
Gone fishing
Every fisherman has secret locations where hooking the big one is guaranteed. "Fishing Florida" reveals some of the best spots uncovered by author Kris Thoemke, who has been fishing Florida waters for more than 30 years.
From hooking largemouth bass to fighting tarpon, Thoemke takes the reader to all corners of the state, rating each location and offering charts with the best seasons for dropping a line.
Thoemke also tips readers on the type of bait to use, and gives beginners illustrations to identify the fish that swim Florida's fresh and salt waters.
Empire State biking
Adventure cyclists yearning for a new thrill can get their fix with the help of "Mountain Biking New York." The book, written by hiking and biking enthusiast Michael Margulis, offers 93 rides through the Empire State, from Fire Island National Seashore to the Catskill Mountains.
With each ride, Margulis gives readers a map to follow, and text on the type of trail (elevation range, difficulty, hazards) to expect. There's also tips, like how riders should handle the 1,000-foot vertical on Plattekill Mountain: "Go along with it."
Too much Grand?
OK, so there's crowds at the Grand Canyon, especially this time of year. But the 277-mile long attraction is so large, offering so many hikes, it's easy to get lost along canyon trails and discover just how tiny we humans are in this world.
Written by Ron Adkinson, "Hiking Grand Canyon" breaks down some of the best hikes to escape from the maddening crowd.
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