PICK OF THE WEEK
“Surfing the Great Lakes”
(Big Lauter Tun Books, $14.95)
Of all the phrases to be heard uttered along the Great Lakes, surely “surf’s up” is not one of them. And yet author P.L. Strazz has written, along with the help of fellow surfing contributors, the seemingly impossible: a book about surfing on Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Those who consider themselves Great Lakes surfers–that is, those who actively surf on all the Great Lakes–add up to “no more than 750 people.” The first time Strazz attempted to ride the waves of these inland seas was a warm, summer night on Montrose Beach in Chicago. “I never surfed on fresh water,” he writes. “It took months to locate a board and weeks before I accurately anticipated the right time to bring it to the beach.” After several setbacks, and after swallowing gulp after gulp of warm fresh water, he bathed in the exhilaration of being one of the few people to ride the waves on the darkened waters of a Lake Michigan night. It had taken much effort. If only there were a book, he thought, to give you the ins and outs of Great Lakes surfing. The book that Strazz envisioned, subtitled “An Insider’s Guide to Monster Waves Along North America’s Fresh Coast,” is now a reality. “Surfing the Great Lakes” includes information about weather, hands-on advice on catching waves, tips on surfing etiquette, profiles of surf spots on the Great Lakes, selecting the right wave, as well as chapters on windsurfing, bodyboarding and kayaking. This is a fun book–not for everyone, but certainly one of the more unusual titles around. (ISBN 0-9646310-5-9)
“Carneros: Travels Along the Napa-Sonoma Edge”
(Carneros Quality Alliance, $14.95)
Carneros is a little known area of Napa and Sonoma Counties in California. The southernmost wine region of the area, its climate is so different from the rest of its neighbors that it has come to be associated with the cultivation of “cool climate grapes” such as those used for the distinct flavors of fruity green apple and pear-flavored chardonnays, spicy cherry and berry pinot noirs, and sparkling wines. Author Eileen Campbell takes the wine lover on a whirlwind tour of the area’s history, ecology, vineyards, geography, people and, of course, its wineries. Handsomely illustrated with color photographs, this small spiral-bound book contains detailed maps and illustrations. The bulk of the book is devoted to descriptions of the various wineries and things to see along the way. But there are also sections on the landscape and the people who work the land, including vineyard workers, winery workers and ranchers and farmers.
(ISBN 097037000-8)
WORLD TRAVEL
“The Traveler’s Handbook: The Insider’s Guide to World Travel”
(Globe Pequot, $23.95)
This eighth edition of “The Traveler’s Handbook” is a godsend for anyone with an interest in knowing how to travel anywhere, anytime and anyhow. At just under 1,000 pages, it’s hefty but not heavy. It really is a compendium of articles and advice by some famous and not-so-famous writers, from Eric Newby to Dervla Murphy, on subjects of interest to world travel. The “What Kind of Traveler Are You?” section contains pieces on all types of travelers: women travelers, older travelers, solitary travelers, serious walkers, student travelers, spiritual travelers, cultural travelers, wine-loving travelers, vegetarian travelers, hitch-hikers, green travelers, gay travelers and disabled travelers. “The Working Travelers” section has pieces on business travel, working your way around the world, teaching English abroad, travel writing for beginners, writing on the road and taking travel photographs. There are also sections on healthy travel, when to go, what to take, types of places to stay, methods of travel and preparing your trip. Alphabetical travel profiles of each country offer succinct information on safety, demographics, travel planning, government bureaucracy and emergency contacts. Extensive listings, too, on everything from useful Web sites to walking associations.
(ISBN 0-7627-0727-5)
NATURE TRAVEL
“The Galapagos Islands”
(The Mountaineers Books, $16.95)
It’s probably fair to say that most people have never been to the Galapagos Islands. And yet many armchair travelers continue to admire the islands from afar. Perhaps this fascination comes from glimpses of its natural beauty and unique plant and animal life seen on many a television program. Or perhaps it’s the memory of reading Charles Darwin’s account of his visit there on the Beagle. Located about 600 miles west of Ecuador, the islands are in fact a national park and a fragile natural heritage site. Author Marylee Stephenson has visited the islands frequently. Her guidebook, subtitled “The Essential Handbook for Exploring, Enjoying & Understanding Darwin’s Enchanted Islands,” describes geology and topography, plant life, various sea and land birds, marine and land mammals, and underwater life. She serves as our guide to the major islands and their sites, and then she offers travel tips: planning a visit, including the best time of the year to travel, the cost of getting there and what to bring. (ISBN 0-89886-688-X)
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Contact Resourceful Traveler in care of Toni Stroud at tstroud@tribune.com.
