5 comments about West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer.

1. I bought this West Virginia Map and Gazetteer in order to help my husband and I find our way through WV. We're most interested in the topography - elevations, rivers, creeks, etc. I would recommend using this book map in conjunction with a regular road map, because there isn't quite enough detail for smaller roads, but it's a great place to start.



2. This atlas fills a void because it gives a very clear picture of the terrain as well as roads. I like having these atlases along to give the context for hiking excursions, as well as showing the back road ways to get there. The section on special sights to see in WV is very helpful as well. There is no substitute for more detailed topographical maps for actual hiking trails, but this atlas is a necessart intermediate step between topos and road maps.



3. This book provides complete and thurough topographical maps for the entire state of West Virginia. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, exploring in this great state, you need this atlas. At first I was surprised at the details provided in this book. I was able to find even the smallest of streams and geographical features. Now, after using it so many times, I would be surprised if a stream is not on this map.
   
   The bottom line is that you need this atlas if you enjoy the West Virginia outdoors.



4. Once again this series of maps has been outstanding. The ease in reading and applying the info to the road is way above par. And for railroad enthusiasts, this is the only map published with railroad details that are current and precise.



5. Like other Delorme atlases, this is nicely detailed - though like other atlas, it can be annoying to use when you have to move from one page to another to follow a route. We also purchased (on Amazon) a Martinsburg - Charles Town - Eastern West Virginia road map that would be a better choice if you are looking for something to use while driving around Eastern West Virginia.

5 comments about 50 Hikes in Northern Virginia: Walks, Hikes, and Backpacks from the Allegheny Mountains to Chesapeake Bay, Third Edition.

1. This book is amazing for those that are just starting out or have been hiking all their lives. It gives you tips on how to get to the park or trail then tells you what to look for while on the trail. If you're planning a hike, I would't leave home without this one.



2. Leonard Adkins has written and compiled one of the best hiking guide books for the Northern Virginia area, filled with accurate maps, directions and trail history. With hikes from just a couple of miles to three day backpacks it has something for everyone. I've hiked ninety percent of the trails in this book and haven't been disappointed by one of them. This is a must have if you hike in the NOVA area. I haven't found another guide as well put together as this is. Leonard Adkins also has several other guide books covering the Mid-Atlantic that are every bit as good.



3. I almost bought this book, until I realized not a single hike described is actually in Northern Virginia, where I live. All the hikes are in Virginia, but "Northern Virginia" generally refers to the areas areound Washington, DC, say as far south as Stafford and as far west as Leesburg. These hikes are in Shennandoah National Park, western VA, and the Chesapeake Bay areas.



4. Just bought the third edition of 50 Hikes in Northern Virginia and I'm thrilled with what the author has put together. I'm not sure why the previous reviewer complained so much about the choice of hikes, almost all of them are within a couple hours' drive of the DC area. And what great hikes--the ones closest to DC include a walk along Bull Run, in Manassas National Battlefield, and Prince William National Forest. There are the old standbys, like Old Rag and Stony Man in Shenandoah, but also some little known ones a bit further west on Massanutten Mountain and near the Virginia/West Virginia border.
   I like that Mr. Adkins hiked all of the trails with a surveyors measuring wheel to insure accurate mileage, and that he provides the total accumulated elevation you will gain--not just the distance from the lowest to the highest point. Best of all, it's just a well written book with lots on info about what you will see and what took place in the area. By far the best of the hiking guides I've bought for this area. The hikes range from short easy ones, to all day jaunts, to extended multi-day trips.



5. I own the second edition of this book, so I don't know how it differs from the third. This is a great book, and I couldn't recommend it strongly enough. As a former DC-area resident who still returns frequently, I find this book indispensible for planning nearby hikes.
   
   Yes, he does have a somewhat expansive view of what constitutes Northern Virginia (is Newport News considered northern Virginia?). He explains that he had originally planned a 50-hikes in Virginia format, but found too many good hikes to narrow the list down to one book, hence the division into Northern Virginia hikes and Southern Virginia hikes. If your definition of "Northern Virginia" is confined to the DC metro, then "60 hikes with 60 miles, Washington DC" by Paul Elliot is the book for you. For those who like to escape the beltway exhaust, this is the book for you.
   
   As other reviewers have noted, the book contains both well-known hikes as well as some hidden gems in areas you might not have thought of before. As might be expected, the majority of the hikes cluster in the Blue Ridge mountains/Masanutten mountain/West Virgina border area, but there are still a surprising number listed for the Piedmont and Tidewater zones. Each hike comes with a topo map and descriptions brimming with notes about the local flora, fauna, and historical tidbits. There are also several black-and-white photos of the areas you'll visit to tantalize you with the views you will see.
   
   There is a very helpful table in the front of the book that list each hike by distance and features (Waterfall present?, Camping possible? Good for Kids?), to easily enable you to pick a hike that fits your agenda. While most hikes can be done as dayhikes, there are a few overnighters thrown in for balance.
   
   What this book is not:
   1)It is not a comprehensive overview of hiking northern Virginia. This is more like a "Highlights book". There will be no duds in here. For those wanting a comprehensive book (though not as user friendly),get Allen de Hart's Trails of Virginia: Hiking the Old Dominion instead. I find I like this book much better the de Hart's offering.
   2)It does not contain in general any trails that are involve DC or Maryland. The C&O towpath will not be found here, except as a brief portion of a trail in the Harper's Ferry area
   3)It is not a guidebook for the Appalachian Trail. The AT is featured prominently in several of the hikes. For those looking to hike the AT specifically, there are better resources out there.
   
   Overall, this book is the best balance between readability, map detail, selectivity, and variety that I have encountered for hiking the northern Virginia area. I consider it vastly superior to other books I have owned in the 50 Hikes series as well.

1 comments about Scenic Driving West Virginia.

1. This book is downright AWESOME! We purchased this recently before going to the Greenbrier and used it extensively for some short side trips and FYI during our travel. There is all kinds of information in this book that even the most seasoned travelers don't know. This is one of the most useful books I've ever purchased.

5 comments about Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Ultimate Travel Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway.

1. As someone who lives near and regularly hikes trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I commend Randy Johnson's excellent "Hiking The Blue Ridge Parkway." First, I love the author's dedication . . .

   To past and present Appalachian families - the people who know how much you have to love the mountains to make a living there. And to the men and women of the Blue Ridge Parkway - who help the rest of us appreciate why it's worth the effort.

   It shows the author's love, and indeed respect, for the region he so ably writes about.

   As a guide, the book features 72 maps, the great majority of them, 68 by my count, being detailed topographic maps that will satisfy even the most serious hikers. The author has included a topo map for virtually every hike, something that is fairly unprecedented in this book genre. I've never understood how you can have a trail guide that expects people to read a trail description without a map to look at. The book also includes lots of good photos.

   I appreciate the fact that the author provides broad cultural, geographic and historical overviews aimed not only at educating the reader about the region but also at explaining how to craft a hike to match the hiker's interests.

   The mileage log in the rear of the book also provides travel information and observations that make this back-of-book section almost worthy of a separate guidebook itself.

   Moreover, the author not only covers trails along the Parkway but also trails near the Parkway. The summit of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the Eastern United States, for example, is five miles off the Parkway, but thankfully the author covers the beautiful trails there. The book also includes the region's only truly urban hike, Asheville's Urban Trail.

   Between the book's overall introduction, its maps and photos, and the travel-oriented introductions to the different sections of the Parkway, this book truly lives up to the claim in the book's subtitle, "The Ultimate Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway."

   No wonder best-selling author Robert Morgan, who hails from this region, and Blue Ridge Parkway author Harley Jolley, both quoted on the cover, say this is the guide book to buy. If I had been able, I would have given this book six stars.




2. As a child, I first hiked trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway with my father more than 40 years ago, and over the decades I've continued to return with a sense of awe at the area's spectacular beauty and rich seasonal variety. But what has been lacking for all of that time is a trail guide that mixes knowledgeable commentary and accurate descriptions with good topographical maps and photos. "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway," which I picked up just last week on the way to the mountains, now fills that void in exemplary fashion.

   I've hiked a good many of the trails, but I was surprised and pleased to see that there are many that I've not yet tried-and now plan to experience. I can attest that my favorite hikes are described very accurately, with historical and geographical commentary that gives me a new appreciation for some of the places I thought I knew quite well. Details such as the topo maps, elevation gains, difficulty levels, and key-points lists really open up the trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. A 38-page Parkway mileage log at the back of the book is a handy reference for trails, facilities, and resources. I'm sure that this book will accompany thousands of hikers who want to get the most out of their Blue Ridge Parkway hiking experiences.




3. As an avid hiker, I struggle to find detailed maps and descriptions of hikes. My time is limited, so I love to find out exactly what to expect on a hike before I begin. "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" has become my primary reference to discovering new hikes that are easy to find. It is very evident that Mr. Johnson has hiked all of the trails because of the great details such as "don't get sucked down the old trail... bear right to reach the junction with two signs."
   
   I know how easy to take a wrong turn on hike, so such details are very helpful. However, my favorite part of the book are the detailed topo maps. When I set out on a hike from the book, I make a copy of the desription and map to take with me. I refer to the map a lot (to avoid those wrong turns!). The mileage log in the back of the book gives a great mile-by-mile account of the Parkway.
   
   There are many amazing hikes along the Parkway. Don't miss them!



4. This guide leads hikers on some of the best trails along the Parkway. As a summer resident of the area I have been hiking the area for several years and I still learned from this guide. As a biologist, I particularly liked the coverage of plants and animals of the area.



5. This is an excellent book and very thorough. I have read it several times and compared it to information from other books as well as the internet and national park service materials. It is very helpful to those who are serious about pre-planning a vacation. The maps are especially helpful. The only criticism I have is that the estimated amount of time it would take to do each hike is not included. I most definitely recommend this book.

1 comments about The Family Recovery Guide: A Map for Healthy Health.

1. There's an awful lot of books out there purporting to be written by "the experts" regarding alcoholism and drug addiciton. Very few of them provide any useful insights into how the families of those suffering from Chemical Dependency can find the help they so badly need. In this book Stephanie Brown and her colleagues put their many years of research and experience together in a format that is easily understood and more perhaps more importantly that can be put into practice. She demystifies and gives language to concepts and ideas that can be baffling and overwhelming to families in crisis. The stages of recovery from active use through early recovery and the trauma that involves, moving through to ongoing recovery issues, are explained clearly, highlighting how the family "system" is affected and tools the family can use to navigate each stage.
   I loved this book, it helped me make sense of my own alcoholic family in a way no other book has been able to.

2 comments about Hikes in the Virginias (Exploring the Appalachian Trail).

1. Before I read "Exploring the Appalachian Trail - Hikes in the Virginias", I thought you could only experience the Appalachian Trail on an extended backpacking expedition. Man, was I wrong! Even if you only have a few hours to spare, you can still enjoy hiking on the AT - this book shows you how. One of a series covering the entire trail from Georgia to Maine, this book describes a wide variety of dayhikes in Virginia.

   With this book, I've explored many beautiful sections of the trail in that state - including McAfee Knob, Grayson Highlands, and Shenandoah National Park. You can bet that I will continue to use the "Exploring the Appalachian Trail" series in planning future hikes on the AT!




2. PLEASE NOTE: THERE are NOT 170 hikes in the book. The whole series must contain that many.
   
   I own 3 books in this series. The Southern Appalachian, the Virginias, and the Mid-Atlantic States guide. I have found these books to be a great aid in planning hikes, especially 2-3 day backpacking trips. Since most of these hikes are either one-way or round trip (as opposed to circuit hikes) you either need to have two cars or plan on seeing the same sites twice. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but other books have better circuit hikes.
   
   This series IS very informative, not only with regards to the actually hike, but also the history both natural and otherwise of the area you are hiking in.
   
   I have done approx 10 of the 46 hikes in this guide, including both out and back day hikes, as well as 4 day 'thru-hikes' combining 2 or more of these hikes strung together, and this book has been very informative during these hikes. The maps could be a little better, as they are topographical maps with a green line for the trail.. They are adequate, but I've seen better.
   
   All 46 hikes come with a description, a map, an elevation profile, and an itinerary, as well as various other information.
   
   When planning for a hike I do tend to use this book in conjunction with other books, but I usually take this book (or copies of the pages) on the actual hike itself. The fact that the pages are so small allows for easier handling and storage of the laminated pages during the trip.
   
   So if you enjoy hiking and are near the AT while in the Virginias, you may want to take a look at this book. It is well worth the money.

5 comments about Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia.

1. This is a very great book to the waterfalls in these to states. I am only 13 and love waterfalls. I have been to only about 20-30 in this book but will go to more. I would also suggest Yellowstone Watewrfalls and Their discovery, Waterfalls of the mid-atlantic states and Michigan Waterfalls. I own all THree and find them very usefull Evan though Yellowstone is a 1,000+ mile drive from Maryland!



2. I use with book in conjunction with the SNP maps of hiking trails and waterfalls,
   and do use the Gazetteer that is referenced.
   Directions and trail description are right on, more informative
   than what the park service gives you.
   I have hiked many of the Waterfalls referenced, and would never
   have found some without this Book & Gazetteer.(outside of parks)
   I have purchased other books about Waterfalls in VA, and this
   is by far the best.
   Note-to-self (and others): I just hiked the Rose River Falls
   loop that includes the Dark Hollow Falls, in SNP, this past
   weekend, 1) "all trailheads that start on SkyLine Drive go downhill",
   that means hiking back UP 2) Recommend hiking the loop
   in a ClockWise Direction, as when you are hiking back UP the
   other side of the loop, you have a beautiful view of the Rose
   River and Hogcamp Branch and the many, many cascades of water
   over the rocks,as it distracts you from the long hike back up to the parking area. Literally about a mile along the water.



3. Will enjoy planing a trip there to photograph the waterfalls



4. Excellent book with tons of waterfalls. Would prefer having more color photos (some don't have photos at all), but if you're a photographer you can make your own!
   
   Highly recommended for waterfall lovers in the VA and WV region.



5. My boyfriend is a "waterfall" buff and has been to every fall in NC..I gave him this book for Xmas and he loved it..It gave info on all the waterfalls in our area and the info on how to get to them..This was a great gift for him..I'd recommend this to anyone who loves the outdoors and loves to hike..Now we can explore the Virginia area this summer..He loved the book and I always go to Amazon for all my books anymore...They are great!!

5 comments about The C&O Canal Companion.

1. Wonderful guide to the C & O Canal park that includes history and detailed information about the various mile marks. This edition is revised from the original. However, with the make-over of the Monocacy Aqueduct in 2005 and other changes the book should again be updated to include this information.
   
   Still this book covers every aspect of this unique national park that spans almost 185 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland, whether you are a hiker or biker or just a traveler visiting the various sites along the canal.



2. One of the best books I have ever read on the C&O Canal. Great combination of history and facts.



3. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is a living dream. Early Virginians envisioned a water route to the vast American interior--onward even to the Pacific. Jefferson urged Washington to make the Potomac navigable thereby creating an inland route to the Ohio.
   
   Great republics need freedom to dream. They undertake experiments not all of which succeed. On the 4th of July, 1848, John Quincy Adams, sixth President, son of John and Abigail, broke ground for this canal. The setting was a sylvan glade overlooking the Potomac gorge a few miles above Georgetown.
   
   The C&O Canal itself was a colossal failure considering its original purpose, overtaken by its competitor the B&O Railroad and never to reach its intended destination.
   
   Mike High's guide, on the other hand, is a huge success. The C&O Canal Companion is far more than a "complete guide." High provides full narration of the canal's history, including numerous historical events that intertwine with the waterway: the French and Indian War, John Brown's Raid, and the bloodiest day in American History, September 17th, 1862, the Battle of Antietam. The the Union with 12,401 casualties lost 2,108 dead; the Confederacy with 10,318 casualties lost 1,546 dead.
   
   High is particularly good on structures along the canal. We gain a true feel for the canal's operation as a living and working thing from his descriptions: locks and their operation; spillways; culverts--and that engineering marvel, the Georgetown inclined plane to lower boats from the canal to the Potomac.
   
   My favorites of all are the magnificent aqueducts, ingenious designs for carrying the waterway above rushing creeks and rivers that must cross below to reach the Potomac. The very names of these structures, Seneca, Monocacy, Catoctin (fallen but now in the process of being repaired) and the picturesque Antietam, are themselves poetry. These stone beauties, the finest structures one can view in a wild setting, like the canal itself, have become so integral to their surroundings they seem a part of nature, not man-made.
   
   Many miles have I run and hiked, preferring to travel on foot so as to take in canal sights, sounds and odors to their full, at times with a hiking companion, other times alone, and on some of my favorite long stretches with Athena, my trusted Golden Retriever. Many times have I brought Mike High's book along on my rambles.
   
   A great American of the last Century, Justice William O. Douglas, preserved the Canal, helping make it what it is today--not the intended highway of interstate commerce--no, something better: a corridor for wildlife reaching from the Alleghenies to the Chesapeake. A preserver of the entire eastern shoreline of one of America's most beautiful rivers. Thank Douglas for his advocacy in the form of a widely publicized 1954 hike of the entire canal, a man of action who preserved a dream and made it better.
   
   When human beings stretch their legs and breathe deeply, they are better able to exercise their rights and freedoms. What kind of a place would you dream of for this stretching and breathing?
   
   In days of turmoil or congestion, dream a place to be alone among beautiful things, where history, nature, and wilderness are real, the rest of the world become a dream. Do you have a deep need to see and absorb this truth, the majesty of which can only be contemplated while alone in a place of beauty?
   
   Freedom begins with dreams. "The right to be let alone," Justice Douglas reminds us, "is indeed the beginning of all freedoms."
   
   Dream a canal.
   
   



4. I can honestly say that this is the best guide book I have ever read (and I have read and used many of them). The first half of the book described the history, the engineering structures and recreational activities of and along the canal. The second part is a mile-by-mile guide of the entire canal itself, often cross-referencing the history and structures described in the first part. It really is wonderful as well as practical. Another strength of the book is that it uses many historical photos. As I hike the canal, I can use the book to compare the canal's present state with its historical renditions, which makes the hike all that more enjoyable! I like to also read the book at night after a hike so I can re-live and imprint my experience in my mind.
   
   I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn more about the C&O Canal, who is looking for a hiking guide, or even a mini-encyclopedia of the C&O Canal, or all of the above!



5. My interest in this book is as a tourning bicycle rider. It was of interest but not an invaluable guide for the bicycler.
   
   I read it cover to cover. The old black and white photos are interesting. There is some practical information about exploring the canal. The extensive historical background is where the real value of this book lies.
   
   It leans more towards history as a subject rather than touring.

2 comments about Florence: A Map of Perceptions.

1. It's very disappointing actually to read this small, short book after reading Mr. Casey's comment. In my opinion, if you know a bit about Florence, you will learn nothing new, and if you know nothing about Florence, your lack of knowledge will not be changed by reading the book. You will learn about the personal, often geometric musings passing through Mr. Ponsi's mind as he touches various buildings, but you will not get any sense of the charm or beauty or history of Florence either from the text or the minimalist sketches of Mr. Ponsi.



2. This is a small book, but packed with information both for the new visitor to Florence, and those who are regulars. The information is presented in a very myopic way and makes you instantly aware of glorious surprises practically just under your nose as you wander the maze of streets in Florence. It certainly encourages and invites you to look beyond the obvious and let your eyes and hands make discoveries you might otherwise overlook or not even be consciously aware of.
   I can't wait to get back to Florence!

5 comments about Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer (Virginia Atlas & Gazeteer).

1. I have used the NC version of this book for years and due to metal detecting alot in VA got this version. It works great in laying out back roads and areas I have been looking at on computer based topo maps. Great product.



2. We'll be using this atlas for an RV trip. Although we haven't yet done the trip, the maps look like what we need (detailed, topographic, forest/side roads). I will say that it's missing decent regional and statewide views. The Benchmark California Road & Recreation Atlas, Fifth Edition (Benchmark Road & Recreation Atlas)series does an excellent job of panning the state, and then drilling down. The Gazetteer series just has the drill-down. Makes it tough when you want to get a macro-view of your route.



3. This is the best Atlas/Gazetteer I've found around at least for the areas I travel and can vouch for the details. It's a great resource for those times when you need to get off the main roads and see where the back roads take you. This map has a lot of the small details that I was looking for, trail heads, boat ramps, camp grounds, wineries, ferries, waterfalls, etc. The topo lines are pretty easy to read and elevations are well marked for this style of map. It's also pretty easy to cross reference to your GPS unit.
   
   What this map lacks are the details you need for in-town travel, and that includes downtown in the small towns. When the roads get too tight you're gonna need a different map because this one only has one size (1:150k or 1"=2.4miles) I also think they should have included phone/web contact info for their places of interest and a couple of blank pages in the back for notes. (Quick tip: I covered the inside back cover with post-it notes so I can take notes and move them to the page I really need them on.)
   
   Quality of the book is decent and should last long enough. The book is a bit big (15.5"h x 11"w) so don't plan on keeping this one in the glove compartment!



4. I will be using this map for searching for civil war battle locations and I think it will do the job very well. It will get lots of use very soon and it will do the job.



5. I live in Va.and love to trout fish.I met with a game warden and he recommend this book.I looked everwhere and finally found it here.It has been very helpful!