For centuries, the mountains of western North Carolina have inspired wonder and awe. It was only natural that man, after gazing at such scenic wonders, would turn some of the mystery he felt into legend. Sometimes these legends attempted to explain natural phenomena, sometimes they attempted to explain an occurrence that appeared to be supernatural, and sometimes they grew up around the eccentric characters that were drawn to the isolation of these mysterious hills. This collection of eighteen stories presents some of the mystery and awe that the mountains convey, and it may alter your perception of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains forever. You may never stand atop Roan Mountain during a storm without thinking you hear a ghostly choir. You may gaze at the top of Chimney Rock during a hazy summer afternoon and wonder if it really is a ghostly cavalry fight you see. If you spend the night near High Hampton, you may find yourself listening for the call of the lonesome white owl. If you stand at Wiseman's View, you will probably think that you, too, can see the Brown Mountain Lights. Standing atop Clingman's Dome, you may wonder if there really is an enchanted lake where animals flock to heal their wounds somewhere in the valley below. And you will always wonder if the fly you hear on your mountain walk means that Spearfinger is lurking nearby. For several years, folklorists Randy Russell and Janet Barnett have taught a course about Southern folklore at the North Carolina Center for Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Russell is also the author of several mysteries, including Edgar Award nominee Hot Wire. They live in Asheville, North Carolina.

Tired of the same old tourist traps? Whether you're a visitor or a local looking for something different, Wyoming Off the Beaten Path shows you the Equality State you never knew existed. Visit the ghost town of Piedmont, where Butch Cassidy and his boys reportedly buried gold. Enjoy an inspiring view of the second highest peak in Wyoming at the Chapel of the Transfiguration. Or visit the Miners & Stockmans Bar, the state's oldest house of libation. So if you've "been there, done that" one too many times, get off the main road and venture Off the Beaten Path.

In 2005 Peter Wright walked the 1,200 km length of the Watershed in 64 days. Walking along the very spine of Scotland he was struck by the magnificence and diversity of the landscapes which his original and little publicised route exposed him to. Nature’s Peace celebrates these landscapes as never before through stunning photographs, taking the reader on an imaginary journey from the English border in the south to the Shetland Isles and Unst at the very northern tip of Britain. Wright brings his journey to life with vivid descriptions of the land’s history and discussions about its future.

Ralph Bagnold was among a group of eccentric British explorers who in the 1930's explored the deserts of North Africa using Model T Fords. This book describes his journeys into the region known as the Western Desert of Egypt or the Libyan Sahara. He is a central character in the group of explorers who would be later fictionalized in Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient. Libyan Sands is an exploration of the Egyptian western desert and the Libyan Sahara on the eve of the Second World War.

Praised as the "bestest travel guide ever" (Mary Roach) and "a joy to read and reread" (Neil Gaiman), Atlas Obscura is a phenomenon of travel books: "Odds are you won't get past three pages without being amazed" (San Francisco Chronicle). It rocketed to the top of bestseller lists and has over 626,000 copies in print since its publication in late 2016. Now the best gets better and the weirdest gets weirder with this completely revised and updated second edition that includes 120 new entries that offer readers even more of the most unusual, curious, bizarre, and mysterious places on earth. In addition, the second edition includes a full-colour gatefold Atlas Obscura road trip map, with a dream itinerary. Created by the founders of AtlasObscura.com, the vibrant travel community that's grown substantially since the original edition - not only online but in stores, too, with the recent publication of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid - Atlas Obscura expands the reader's sense of what's possible. Oversized, beautifully packaged, compellingly written, scrupulously researched, and filled with photographs, illustrations, maps, charts, and more, it is the book that inspires equal parts wonder and wanderlust. It informs us on every page of something we never knew - and paints a rich panorama of what a marvellously strange world we live in. For the travel lover and curious reader, it's a gift book that's literally impossible to put down.

The island of Bali's sensational image was created by the tourists, artists, and scholars who visited the tiny nation between the two world wars. A Dutch colony from 1908, Bali was a source of revenue for the Dutch government, which began to develop its image as the ultimate vacation spot. The tourism industry spread the idea of Bali as a paradise in which noble, happy, spiritual Balinese--all prodigiously creative artists--lived in innocence. Sensual images of beautiful people on an enchanted isle unspoiled by modernity predominated. Bali also acquired a reputation as a homosexual paradise. A host of books and articles fed these images of Bali until it evolved into one of the most romantic stops on the tourist itinerary. The Balinese people, however, made little profit from the tourist traffic. This history of the development of tourism in Bali stretches from the Dutch occupation in 1906 to the Japanese occupation in 1942. After exhaustive research in published records and in unpublished letters, diaries, and oral histories left by many of the American and European visitors to the island as well as the Balinese residents, the author explores the reasons for Bali's popularity among Westerners and their effects on the native culture.

Up-to-date information on over 700 sites in 28 states dedicated to the American Revolution, including battlefields, memorial markers, statues, museums, cemeteries, other landmarks, and library collections. Arranged by state, each entry provides a descriptive profile, address and telephone number, admission fees (if any) and policies, hours open, and other pertinent information. For each state, there is a profile of its role and a timeline of events.

Exploring Ireland is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the outdoors, from families looking for gentle Sunday strolls to experienced adventurers seeking out challenging hikes, paddles and cycles. This inspiring guidebook contains over 1700 things to do and places to see across the length and breadth of the island of Ireland. It's perfect for planning days out, weekends away and longer holidays. This book's 384 pages are packed with over 600 spectacular photos and detailed information on Ireland's beaches, signposted walks, mountain hikes, long-distance trails, blueways, greenways, cycle routes, forests, islands, rivers, lakes, heritage sites, parks and gardens, as well as a selection of interesting places to stay and eat.

RACING WITH ALOHA is part adventure tale, part spiritual memoir, enchanting anyone who loves the water, who longs for the timeless mystique of the Hawaiian Islands, and who relishes the idea that life can unfold effortlessly and exactly as it should. No one knows who first put a sail on a surfboard, but everyone would agree that Fred Haywood pioneered the sport of windsurfing. Few know he is also an Olympic contender who swam a record-breaking backstroke alongside his friend Mark Spitz. Before he discovered speed sailing, he surfed with the likes of Gerry Lopez, exploring exotic undiscovered surf spots around the world. Only his friends know how growing up on the island of Maui influenced him to carry his success with humility and generosity, stressing camaraderie over competition and preferring fun over fanfare. RACING WITH ALOHA weaves throughout the inspiration Fred Haywood's dad instilled in him, which blended a pervasive commitment to accomplishment with a liberating attitude that all is well, all the time. Fred embodied his father's lessons to become a professionally successful, easygoing, sincerely humble man who is respected and beloved by all-friends and competitors alike. RACING WITH ALOHA is a delightful story that will enchant anyone who loves or longs for the timeless mystique of the Hawaiian Islands. Young readers will delight in the story of a youth who swam with sharks-by accident, of course-and who was as surprised as his coach and teammates to find himself featured in Sports Illustrated magazine. Water aficionados will long for the days of surfing undiscovered beaches. And the countless windsurfing enthusiasts who trekked to Maui in the 1980s, following in Fred's wake, will relish the memories he shares of windsurfing Ho'okipa, the legendary beach still boasting some of the biggest waves in the world.

"An excellent world atlas. Very illuminating, good colours, clear texts...good glossary and, last but not least, up-to-date". Amazon customer review · The market-leading world atlas for work, study or leisure · Great value for money and top seller on Bookscan in this price range. · 96 pages of authoritative world maps, physical and political · 70 city maps in the fascinating World Cities section, with full-page satellite images for 10 great cities · Over 35,000 place name index All this and a special 32-page introductory section - 'The World in Focus' - covers key geographical themes such as the Earth's position in the Solar System, the structure of the Earth, climate and weather, the environment, population, resources, economics and international organizations. Vital information on topics covered in geography, humanities and economics courses. The information-packed World Atlas from Philip's, published in association with the Royal Geographical Society has been fully updated for this new 2021 edition.

This book provides a thorough, area by area companion to the region's wealth of monuments, excavations and artefacts, from Paris and Boulogne-sur-Mer to Strasbourg and Lyon. Over ninety sites are treated in detail, including major attractions such as the parc archéologique in Lyon and the amphitheatre at Autun, numerous local museums and secluded rural excavations.
The guidebook combines a scholarly assessment of the area's Roman heritage, examining and interpreting the surviving remains, with practical visitor information such as directions to sites and opening hours. Comprehensively illustrated with photographs, maps and plans, it is a unique resource both for academic study and for visitors interested in the region's archaeological and historical background.

Things that go bump in the night, disembodied voices, footsteps in an empty stairwell, an icy hand on your shoulder ... let your imagination run wild as you read about the Old West's most extraordinary apparitions, sinister spooks, and bizarre beasts. You may know of the famous and well-documented Alamo, but perhaps you haven't heard about: -The Mamie R. Mine, plagued by Tommyknockers who beckon miners into danger by mimicking the screams of children; -The Mizpah Hotel, where a murdered seductress whispers in the ears of male patrons and leaves pearls to those she visits; and -Yuma Territorial Prison, one of the most inhospitable prisons in US history where over a hundred inmates had perished--some by their own hand.

Walking Washington's History: Ten Cities, a follow-up to Judy Bentley's bestselling Hiking Washington's History, showcases the state's engaging urban history through guided walks in ten major cities. Using narrated walks, maps, and historic photographs, Bentley reveals each city's aspirations. She begins in Vancouver, established as a fur trade emporium on a plain above the Columbia River, and ends with Bellevue, a bedroom community turned edge city. In between, readers crisscross the state, with walks through urban Olympia, Walla Walla, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, Bellingham, Yakima, and Spokane. Whether readers pass through these cities as tourists or set out to explore their home terrain, they will discover both the visible and invisible markers of Washington history underfoot.

The most celebrated authors of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are immortalized not only in their writing but also in the museums, libraries, and other memorials dedicated in their honor. Over 300 sites devoted to 42 authors are covered in this guide. The sites range from restored historic homes to memorial statues. Each entry describes the site and its history, placing it within the context of the authors life and career. Directions are provided to help the reader reach each site; telephone numbers, admission prices, and hours are also included for the travelers convenience. The text is illustrated with photographs from these historic and literary homes, libraries, and other important memorial locations.

Approximately 900 hiking trails in the United States take hikers along routes or past sites of historical importance and offer commemorative embroidered patches or other souvenirs of the outing. These trails allow hikers to gain a new appreciation for history and actually experience it, instead of only reading about it - and have something to show for their hike. The first comprehensive guide to those trails, this work covers routes in all fifty states and the District of Columbia as well as interstate trails and out-of-state trails located in the Panama Canal area, Korea and the Philippines. The book categorizes each as historic, meaning that it played some significant role in history; historical, meaning that it takes the hiker by or into buildings or sites that have some relationship to a significant person or event, but does not itself figure in history, naturo or scenic, because of the wildlife or scenery available along the way that can be viewed along with the historical site; or recreational, meaning that the trail was established for the long-distance hiker and history buff. Each entry also tells who the trail's sponsor is, if alternate means of transportation are allowed, location, length, route, type of terrain, what type of awards are given and any associated costs, registration requirements, and sites along the trail.

A guidebook to the Swiss Via Alpina, a 400km (250 mile) trek east-to-west across Switzerland, from Sargans to Montreux on Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). Previously the Alpine Pass Route, the Via Alpina (VA) is a fully waymarked Swiss national trail that involves nearly 23,000m of ascent and descent over roughly 3 weeks of trekking – a serious challenge suitable for experienced trekkers. The main route is described in 19 stages of 12-29km (8-18 miles), as well as a 27km (17 mile) prologue stage from Liechtenstein and detour stages via Lenk and Gsteig. Comprehensive route description is accompanied by 1:100,000 mapping, route profiles, facilities listings and advice on safety, transport, accommodation and language. Crossing 16 Alpine passes, the VA showcases some of the Switzerland’s most breathtaking mountain landscapes, from flower-strewn meadows to snow-capped peaks including the majestic Todi, Titlis, Wetterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau and Wildstrubel. Accommodation options range from mountain huts to hotels and inns, with camping available at licensed sites along the route.

A revision of what has become a well-known guide, Windjammer Watching on the Coast of Maine provides a systematic review of the windjammer fleet in midcoast Maine, as well as some from away that sail here. Virginia Thorndike tells us how to identify all the individual vessels and gives the histories and vital statistics for each. This is an essential guide for anyone interested in taking a windjammer cruise, for boaters cruising the coast of Maine who want to identify windjammers they see, and for armchair sailors who enjoy reading about these traditional sailing vessels, most of which began their careers as cargo carriers, pilot boats, fishermen, and private yachts.

While it may seem that every possible topic about New York City's attractions has been written about, 'Off the Beaten (Subway) Track' is the first book to focus on the hundreds of off-the-beaten-path destinations in the city. Some are small museums, others are historic places long forgotten, some are stores that sell only odd things, and some are distinguished for their claim to fame as the world's largest/smallest whatever. All of them are notable for the passion with which their proprietors and curators care for them, and all can be visited via the subway system as the author directs readers to which of the city's 486 subway stations will get them closest.

In this engaging creative writing workbook, novelist and poet Linda Lappin presents a series of insightful exercises to help writers of all genres--literary travel writing, memoir, poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction--discover imagery and inspiration in the places they love. Lappin departs from the classical concept of the Genius Loci, the indwelling spirit residing in every landscape, house, city, or forest--to argue that by entering into contact with the unique energy and identity of a place, writers can access an inexhaustible source of creative power. The Soul of Place provides instruction on how to evoke that power. The writing exercises are drawn from many fields--architecture, painting, cuisine, literature and literary criticism, geography and deep maps, Jungian psychology, fairy tales, mythology, theater and performance art, metaphysics--all of which offer surprising perspectives on our writing and may help us uncover raw materials for fiction, essays, and poetry hidden in our environment. An essential resource book for the writer's library, this book is ideal for creative writing courses, with stimulating exercises adaptable to all genres. For writers or travelers about to set out on a trip abroad, The Soul of Place is the perfect road trip companion, attuning our senses to a deeper awareness of place.

This book chronicles the personal journey of pioneering female winery owner Susan Sokol Blosser, from deciding on a whim to grow wine grapes in the early 1970s, to the trials and tribulations of starting her family-owned winery, Sokol Blosser, in the then little-known Willamette Valley, to the transfer of leadership from the first generation to the present. The themes of feminism, love, and loss are woven throughout the candidly rendered tale, which is interspersed with delicious recipes representing key moments in the author’s life.

A photographic guide laced with insider knowledge to one of Northern New Mexico’s most spectacular scenic byways. The Enchanted Circle is an 83-mile loop through mountains, mesa, valleys, and a national forest, beginning from Taos to Red River, Eagle Nest, Angel Fire, and then back. A National Forest Scenic Byway, the route brings together the wonders of nature and the area’s rich history to create one of the country's most unique and varied landscapes, perfect for drives, hikes, camping, fishing, and much more. This book contains beautifully rendered photographs of the Enchanted Circle’s most breathtaking sights as well as the best things to do and places to see along the popular route. Visitors could look forward to discovering historic sites, markets, mines, and villages; enjoying the regional cuisine; shopping; rafting; skiing; and more.

Peculiar, Uncertain, and Two Egg, by Don Blevins is a collection of more than 3,000 oddly named places in the United States and how each received its moniker. Some of the names are merely fascinating, others humorous; but anyone who uses this authoritative volume will be able to settle many an argument about how a particular site received its name.

In this new edition of a classic hiking guide to the trails of Boulder County, a local couple leads you to all your favorite spots and hidden gems throughout the area. Long-time Boulder residents Ruth Carol and Glenn Cushman lead you on their favorite and most scenic hikes through mountains, plains, and foothills, just a few minutes’ drive from Boulder. Walk in Chautauqua Park and view the Flatirons, explore Mount Sanitas, marvel at the Royal Arch, embrace nature in Eldorado Canyon State Park, find historical sites and beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and more. Boulder Hiking Trails features: A total of 84 trails, loops, and hikes, with 6 brand-new trails New color photographs along with updated maps Trail descriptions of each hike, including the highlights, distance, elevation, and difficulty Optional connecting trails for hikers who want more Historical tidbits and fun facts of the trails’ locales Directions and access to the trail This guide is great for hikers of all levels to discover the best hikes found in Boulder, Colorado.