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Fodor's Chicago 2010 (Travel Guide) Review

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Fodor's Chicago 2010 (Travel Guide) ReviewI bought this travel guide never having traveled to Chicago, and after reading the majority of it, I felt I had a good handle on what to do and where things were located. I feel they give excellent advice that seems unbiased unlike your hotel conceirge will be. I highly, highly recommend eating at Weber Grill if you go to Chicago...well worth the hour wait (you'll read about it in this guide)Fodor's Chicago 2010 (Travel Guide) Overview

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Roadside Kansas: A Traveler's Guide to Its Geology and Landmarks Review

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Roadside Kansas: A Traveler's Guide to Its Geology and Landmarks ReviewI found Roadside Kansas by chance in the gift shop at the Old Mill in Lindsborg. I had been showing my wife and daughter some of the sights I knew about from growing up in Ellinwood, Kansas which is located right on the Santa Fe Trail (Highway 56).
Little did I know what a treasure we had found. Beginning as a geological research project by the authors the book took on a life of its' own as a very nice directory of various interesting attractions and oddities in Kansas. Its' photographs also prove to readers once and for all that Kansas IS NOT FLAT.
The first item of note we found was that we were just minutes from Coronado Heights, named after the Spanish explorer. We also found that wheel ruts from wagons traveling the Santa Fe Trail were still visible only a few miles east of my hometown. And I found that after having spent the better part of 27 years driving past and through Fort Zarah that the old cemetery still exists just north of the park out in a field only a few yards from where I had spent many evening hours with female companionship. Imagine my surprise!
Additionally, we found that about 25 miles west of Castle Rock, which I had visited and photographed many times while in college at Fort Hays, are what is known as the Kansas or Chalk Pyramids (just off Highway 83).
Needless to say I was excited and impressed. We spent the rest of our trip running the roads looking for mile markers and the treasures that lay beyond.
The book is laid out quite simply. Find the highway number you are traveling and what mile marker you are at and the book tells you what attraction is coming up with excellent directions for the directionally impaired. Oh, and I guess the geological information is pretty good too.
Since I found this text in 1995 I have wholeheartedly recommended it to anyone traveling the Land of Ahs, both visitor and resident, and all have been impressed. If you like to seek out items of interest off the beaten path, then this is your guide. I only wish those guys would do a book like this for every state in the Union.Roadside Kansas: A Traveler's Guide to Its Geology and Landmarks Overview

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Moon Take a Hike Minneapolis and St. Paul: Hikes within Two Hours of the Twin Cities (Moon Outdoors) Review

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Moon Take a Hike Minneapolis and St. Paul: Hikes within Two Hours of the Twin Cities (Moon Outdoors) ReviewThe book is very accurate in all details on all the hikes I've taken in this book. I copy pages from the book on the hikes I go on. The maps of the trails from the book are accurate and I have yet to find an inaccuracy.Moon Take a Hike Minneapolis and St. Paul: Hikes within Two Hours of the Twin Cities (Moon Outdoors) Overview

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Family Review

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Family ReviewI've been thinking about this, and I've decided this is my favorite book, at least my favorite that I have read in the past 5 or 10 years.
It's pretty hard to say why, but let me give it a shot: the way his writing conveys his affection for his near family and his ancestors without losing his sense of humour about them. (Ian Frazier started out as a humor writer.) His beautiful descriptions of the countryside he travels through, country you might otherwise think was much worth looking at. His wonderful details about his family history make you feel like everyone's family is important.
Since I first read this book, I have developed a true genealogy fixation, trying to recapture the feeling Frazier invokes in this wonderful book. I wish he would write more.Family Overview

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Campfires and Loon Calls: Travels in the Boundary Waters Review

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Campfires and Loon Calls: Travels in the Boundary Waters ReviewI enjoyed this book, and learned some helpful canoe-camping tips. I'm planning our first-ever Boundary Waters trip so I'm reading several books. This is not the very best "how-to" Boundary Waters book (Michael Furtman's Canoe Country Camping is more comprehensive), but this book is worth the money and I'm glad I bought and read it. Do not expect this book to suggest routes or include maps, it's not a route book. Instead, the author describes his experiences canoe-camping with his son over the years, and he provides helpful advice and dos-and-don'ts, things to bring and things to leave. Lots of black&white photos. Author's description of rough water, leaky tents, and camping in rain are particularly informative for first-timers.Campfires and Loon Calls: Travels in the Boundary Waters Overview

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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Western Region Review

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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Western Region ReviewThe latest edition is a step backward in quality in my opinion.
I am nostalgic to be sure. That alone I am sure creates bias in my review. I still have the canvas #3Duluth Pack with the rugged leather straps from my teen years. It has a slight musty scent and one can still smell the leather to this day. There is perhaps a hint as well of a campfire when one breathes deep. And, unlike me, it still has retained its strength over all these years. Every time I pull the pack off the shelf and inhale; I am reminded of some of my fondest memories.
The same sentiment is true for my collection of Beymer BWCA guidebooks. Over the years I have spent hours paging through the various routes. With the help of Beymer's books I have lead scores of youth and adults on myriad trips through the BWCA over the last two decades. Through his books, Robert Beymer, has been a true friend.
Part of the fun was in the planning. I loved reading through the routes and tracing them out on the PREVOIUSLY INCLUDED 21x14 inch map that was provided in the prior editions. The map was just the right size to get a flavor of the route. The new book has essentially a worthless map printed in the pages at the beginning of the book.
This new edition may have a few new updates, but has lost the charm.
Here is what I miss:
-The separate map.
-The bold font of the lake & river names in the route descriptions. That was nice to help quickly trace out a route. IT MAY SOUND TRIVIAL, BUT THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR DID THAT FOR A REASON!
-The glossy pages of photos. The rare photos in this latest addition are "blah" and unappealing.
-The slightly slimmer field book profile. The earlier editions slipped nicely into a vest pocket. I always took the Beymer guide on every trip in case a route deviation ensued.
- The cover. Although not hardbound, the previous editions had a sturdier cover that could stand a few water splashes.
-Popularity rankings. I actually found the rankings a way to avoid the more "popular" routes. Some folks gravitate to the more popular entry points thinking them the "best"; others (like me) found the rankings a way to avoid a bunch of traffic. When I read, "readers can build their own personal popularity rankings", I saw it as a copout for not wanting to review the data. It is certainly not useful advice for the BWCA neophyte.
Ultimately, I am sure many a coureur du bois will continue to find these books quite worthy, but for those that have the older editions - the lack of quality may be a bit of a letdown.Boundary Waters Canoe Area Western Region Overview

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Frommer's Chicago 2009 Review

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Frommer's Chicago 2009 ReviewI grew up in central Illinois, and Chicago was always "the city." It's one of my favorite places to visit for professional conferences and even for vacations. This guide does a nice job in relatively few pages of outlining what to see, what to do, where to eat, etc. I (as one might guess) would have some different recommendations, but this little volume does a good, solid job.
One of the cool things about Chicago is its buildings. Many historically important architectural gems are around, and most enjoyable to explore (e.g., early skyscrapers, Beaux Arts [e.g., the glorious Art Institute], Art Deco [e.g., Chicago Board of Trade], and so on)
One nice feature of this volume is a series of day trips, to take in Chicago's sites over a one to three day period. I like the one day itinerary a lot, beginning with the architectural gems in the Loop area, the Art Institute, Millennium Park, to the Magnificent Mile (and the Hancock Observatory--I find it grand, but I'm scared by heights and talk about approach avoidance when I'm at the observation level!), to the wonderful Field Museum, to Wrigley Field (and the cursed Cubs--maybe this year??), and ending at Buddy Guy's Legends, with other steps in between. Such a one day trip would be exhausting--but what a wonderful introduction to Chicago!
There's the usual suggestion regarding hotels (I might add to the list the Hyatt Regency on the river on Wacker Drive; its nice steak house, Stetson's, features large steaks and big, crunchy chunks of broccoli). Then, the listing of restaurants. Chicago is a grand venue for good eating. Fine steakhouses, nice Italian, and so on. Many good international restaurants. Go to Greektown, sit down at The Parthenon, watch the flaming saganaki (did I misspell this?), and order some good Greek food.
The cultural life of Chicago is a strong point. The Art Institute, as already mentioned, is a gem. The Lyric Opera provides major league talent in its home, the Art Deco Civic Opera House. Then, one of the world's great orchestras--the Chicago Symphony--in its Michigan Avenue home. And on it goes.
There is a nice foldout map, made of heavy duty material that lays out Chicago's heart nicely. It does not cover the entire city, but it does provide useful coverage of many of the sites and areas that visitors would want.
So, I'm convinced. Next time I visit Chicago, I'll take this little volume and the map to help me identify what I'm going to do. . . .
Frommer's Chicago 2009 Overview

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Best Easy Day Hikes Milwaukee (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) Review

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Best Easy Day Hikes Milwaukee (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) ReviewThis short booklet will take you to 20 different parks in the greater Milwaukee area. Each chapter/walk gives info on location and GPS coordinates, whether it is pet-friendly, if admission is charged, length of trail in miles and approximate time, and gives directions on how to get there. There is also usually something of a blurb about the details of the trail or walk itself, sometimes more informative (or accurate) than others. Additionally, small maps are provided of the walks; these are so basic that they are occasionally deceptive in larger parks such as Lapham Park or Grant Park, but so be it.
All of the parks are accessible by car, and all are pretty simple to get around in; this is not adventure hiking by any means. But if you are looking for a change of pace from your routine dog walk, and are willing to drive a little bit and maybe pay a park fee, you might give this booklet a try.
My biggest complaint is that, at $10, this seems a little bit overpriced.Best Easy Day Hikes Milwaukee (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) Overview

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Frommer's Chicago 2011 (Frommer's Complete Guides) Review

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Frommer's Chicago 2011 (Frommer's Complete Guides) ReviewI have used Frommer's guide books since Europe on $20.00 a day and can't begin to tell you how many things that I have 'discovered' through them. This is the brand new 2011 Chicago edition and again, I have found many unexpected things to do and see on my upcoming first trip to Chicago. One of my 'great discoveries" is a huge light store, not far from where we will be staying! That may sound silly, but local things like that, really make our trips. I've checked them outline and found that they ship for free when purchases are made in the store - so one guess what I hope to purchase and have sent home.
Of course there are the usual restaurants, hotels, museums, sights etc... everything to better plan our trip. I've read this edition cover to cover and each time discover new things. From past experiences, I have found that Frommers gives fairly accurate descriptions of hotels and restaurants, and I add a few dollars more towards cost, as even in a new edition, prices are probably at least one year old. The fold out map, leave something to be desired - the print is very small and would be a pain to read while standing on the street, or in a dim light.
There are so many things to do and see in Chicago and books like this, become your personal introduction.
If you are only going to buy one Chicago guidebook (I go overboard), I would recommend the new Fodor's 2011 Chicago edition, but if you want more than one, even though they are similar, then get Frommer's too.Frommer's Chicago 2011 (Frommer's Complete Guides) Overview

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60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Cleveland: Including Akron and Canton Review

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60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Cleveland: Including Akron and Canton ReviewWhat botanical wonder diapered Native American babies and served as an emergency field dressing in WWI? Give up? Sphagnum moss! Facts like these are plentiful in Diane Stresing's excellent hiking guidebook.
Trails are rated by difficulty and include easy-to-follow maps, drive-to directions, terrain types, distances, hiking times and nearest restrooms. Detailed descriptions discuss unique flora, fauna and interesting local and geological histories.
This book will fire up even the most timid explorer. Light and compact, it slips into a backpack for thumbing on the trail.60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Cleveland: Including Akron and Canton Overview

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Follow the Blue Blazes: A Guide To Hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail (Ohio Bicentennial) Review

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Follow the Blue Blazes: A Guide To Hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail (Ohio Bicentennial) ReviewMr. Pond's work consists of dayhikes (mostly loops) that utilize portions of the Buckeye Trail or are hikes located near the BT. There are 33 hikes listed within 11 chapters, covering the varions sections of Ohio that the BT runs through. Each hike is detailed with maps and the author offers tidbits of historical or natural highlights along the way. Most hikes are in the 4-6 mile range, although there are a few longer ones as well for the more serious dayhiker. If you are wanting to discover Ohio with your feet, this is the book to start with.Follow the Blue Blazes: A Guide To Hiking Ohio's Buckeye Trail (Ohio Bicentennial) Overview

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