Adventure narratives
“True North: Exploring the Great Wilderness by Bush Plane”
(Lyons Press; $24.95 hardcover)
The title of this book certainly lives up to its name, as author and bush pilot George Erickson travels solo to the northern fringes of Canada and Alaska in his Piper Cub Special seaplane. He fishes for trout, endures all manner of atrocious weather and nearly loses his life–twice–during the journey. Among the places he visits are the Yukon, Northwest Territories and, Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut. Flying off to faraway sites, at the mercy of “weather and whim,” Erickson has few worries about flying alone. His equipment is trustworthy and he has faith in himself. “And though solo travel has its hazards,” he admits, “what good are our dreams if we lack the courage to follow?” Erickson has an ample supply of courage. He writes about a history that most of us know little about–the indomitable fur traders who traversed the vast Canadian wilderness–and an outdoor lover’s paradise that only a lucky few will ever get the chance to witness firsthand, such as the polar bear heaven in Churchill, Manitoba. Erickson is the spiritual descendant of those great explorers he writes about. Whereas Alexander Mackenzie, Samuel Hearne and David Thompson traveled by foot and canoe, Erickson’s mode of transportation is a tiny plane. In truth, the spirit of the great aviator Charles Lindbergh also looms large. Erickson is not only a brave adventurer in his own right but he also can weave a good story. Not bad for a retired dentist from Minnesota, eh? (ISBN 1-58574-552-9)
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Guidebooks
“True North”
(X-communication; $12.95)
The authors of this neat little guidebook to Duluth and the shores of Lake Superior have chosen to focus on offbeat, or “a little off center,” destinations in this area of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Tony Dierckins and Kerry Elliott describe outdoor adventures, such as snow sliding on Duluth’s hills; great old houses and buildings, including the ruin of Lake Superior’s first lighthouse; arts and culture, including museums and art galleries and theater; and night life, which mostly consists of saloons, brewpubs, bowling alleys, billiard parlors and nightclubs. They also have a nifty section called “Local Lore & Places of Yore.” Among the more interesting tidbits is a photograph of the house on East 3rd Street in Duluth where the former Robert Zimmerman, otherwise known as Bob Dylan, lived as a boy. We learn that the house was auctioned off on eBay in 2001 for only $94,600. (ISBN 1-887317-20-1)
“Romantic Tennessee: More Than 300 Things to Do for Southern Lovers”
(John F. Blair; $12.95)
When one thinks of romantic places in the world, Tennessee probably is not the first place that comes immediately to mind. But Carol and Dan Thalimer, a married couple who have vacationed in Tennessee since childhood and have experienced various affairs of the heart there in addition to writing a dozen guidebooks (mostly about Tennessee), pretty much believe that romantic heaven lives and breathes south of the Mason-Dixon line. They have organized their suggestions for romantic adventures thematically and have divided the state into three sections: West, Middle and East. So just how romantic is Tennessee? The Thalimers offer plenty of evidence, such as booking a berth on the historic Delta Queen for a cruise on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers or walking hand in hand to the sound of blues on Beale Street in Memphis. Of course, everyone’s idea of romance is different. Some think visiting Elvis’ grave in Graceland, dining at Elvis Presley’s Memphis restaurant (it offers upscale American cuisine with down-home Southern classics, including the King’s favorite, fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches) and staying at the Heartbreak Hotel is the epitome of fine romance. Others may prefer something a bit more conventional, such as enjoying a performance at the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. There’s also information on Tennessee’s marriage requirements: You don’t have to be a resident, and there’s no waiting period. (ISBN 0-89587-253-6)
“Access: California Wine Country”
(HarperCollins; $19.95)
Speaking of romance, what could be more romantic than visiting California’s wine country, especially since there are more than 200 wineries in Napa and Sonoma alone? Color coded and reader friendly in typical Access fashion, it features detailed descriptions of Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga, Mendocino and Russian River towns and sites; guides to hundreds of wineries, breweries, champagne cellars, tours and tastings; and even a three-hour “Wine Country Jeep Tour.” You also learn how wine is made and how to start your own collection. It includes a listing of wine country festivals and everything you’d want to know about your favorite California wineries, from Stag’s Leap to Rodney Strong to Raymond to Robert Mondavi. Includes a wine glossary. Fun and fascinating. (ISBN 0-06-277289-9)
“The Rough Guide to New York City”
(Rough Guides; $16.95)
This terrific eighth edition to New York has been revised and updated, including coverage of the neighborhoods affected by the World Trade Center attack. Among the 31 must-sees, according to the authors, are the Chrysler Building and, of course, the Empire State Building; Coney Island, Ellis Island and the NuYorican Poets Cafe in the East Village. Besides the usual stuff, it has sections on New York on film and brief bios of famous New Yorkers. Nicely designed with easy to read maps. Fun, fun, fun. (ISBN 1-85828-869-X)
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Contact Resourceful Traveler in care of Toni Stroud at [email protected].