In his enthusiastic explorations and fervent writing, Michael J. Yochim "was to Yellowstone what Muir was to Yosemite. . . . Other times, his writing is like that of Edward Abbey, full of passion for the natural world and anger at those who are abusing it," writes foreword contributor William R. Lowry. In 2013 Yochim was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). While fighting the disease, he wrote Requiem for America's Best Idea. The book establishes a unique parallel between Yochim's personal struggle with a terminal illness and the impact climate change is having on the national parks--the treasured wilderness that he loved and to which he dedicated his life. Yochim explains how climate change is already impacting the vegetation, wildlife, and the natural conditions in Olympic, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks. A poignant and thought-provoking work, Requiem for America's Best Idea investigates the interactions between people and nature and the world that can inspire and destroy them.

Add fun, history, and jaw-dropping natural wonders to your southwestern road trip with RoadTrip America's Arizona and New Mexico: 25 Scenic Side Trips, each one beginning and ending at an Interstate highway and drivable within a day. Full-color maps and photographs illustrate easy-to-follow scenic routes through breathtaking landscapes and iconic towns in Arizona and New Mexico. Discover the surreal beauty of White Sands, watch the sun set over Monument Valley, or explore the subterranean marvels of Carlsbad Caverns. Find out why Jerome was "the Wickedest Town in the West" or walk in the footsteps of Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. Pamper yourself at a spa in Taos or soak up the vibes at an "energy vortex" in the red rocks of Sedona. With this brand-new, up-to-date guide as your companion, all this and much, much more will be yours to discover and enjoy-one extra day at a time! Stunning color imagery and photography throughout Easy-to read, full-color route maps with points of interest, mileage, and more Color-coded pages for easy identification of routes by geographic region Up-to-date insider tips for getting the most out of each route and staying safe Phone numbers, websites and visitor info for parks, attractions, and out-of-the-ordinary lodging & dining Researched and written by native Arizonan and adventure traveler Rick Quinn, whose road trips have taken him from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska and San Francisco to Washington D.C. Photographer, travel writer, and anthropologist, Quinn is an expert on the topography, history, and culture of the American southwest and how best to enjoy its wonders by automobile.

With its diverse landscape, its relatively mild climate, and its magnificent scenery, California is a paradise for outdoor and sports enthusiasts. If you're looking for the ideal spot to pitch your tent or park your RV, Camping Northern California offers up more than 700 public campgrounds throughout the area's widely varied scenery. The state contains 27 national parks and monuments, over 500 state and county parks, 20 million acres of national forests, and numerous other recreational lands under federal, state, and local jurisdiction. Stretching from the northern mountains to the southern deserts, the campgrounds range from primitive sites for tents or self-contained RVs to plush resorts with all the amenities. What they have in common is that they all provide a memorable outdoor experience. Easy-to-use maps and charts will help you choose the perfect site for your next camping trip. Whether you want to fish, hunt, or just get away from it all, let this book be your guide. Look inside for information on: * Campground locations * Facilities and hookups * Fees and reservations * GPS coordinates for each campground * Recreational activities

Latin America is a cradle of ancient civilizations like those of the Incas, Maya and Aztecs, and later became the goal of European explorers and immigrants. It looks back on a long history, often full of contrasts and contradictions, but also has a very special multicultural atmosphere. This book presents unique, almost breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and places with extraordinary hotels. Short texts and practical information complement the superb photos. The places to stay shown here include the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge in the Brazilian Amazon and the Uxua on the beach of Trancoso, for which a Dutch designer has transformed historic buildings into villas in ethnic style. Big Bang in Uruguay is a wonderful place for glamping between the ocean and the forest. The elegant vacation destinations of this country are home to the Fasano Punta del Este by the architect Isay Weinfeld and the Posada Ayana, where the American Land Art star James Turrell has installed one of his famous Skyspaces on the estate. This journey also goes to the Explora El Chalten at the foot of Monte Fitz Roy in rugged Patagonia, to the Tierra Atacama in the world's driest desert in Chile, to the mid-century classic Antumalal, and to Easter Island, guarded since time immemorial by the huge stone sculptures of the Moai. In Peru visitors follow in the footsteps of the Incas through Valle Sagrado, site of the ruined city of Machu Picchu, and get to know the indigenous Achuar people in Ecuador while staying at the Kapawi Ecolodge. The itinerary also takes in Columbia - with the picturesque Hotel San Pedro de Majagua on Isla Grande. At the Nantipa in Costa Rica, three friends have made their dream of the ideal beach hotel come true, and in Nicaragua an American brother and sister have found their own paradise on a private island, the Isleta El Espino. This book would not be complete without Mexico, of course - including, for example, Alberto Kalach's spectacular Hotel Terrestre in Puerto Escondido, the eclectic Meson Hidalgo combining a bed & breakfast with boutiques in San Miguel de Allende, and the luxurious, laid-back Hotel San Cristobal Baja in Todos Santos.

There are numerous luxury hotels to choose from when planning a romantic getaway, but finding a unique and unforgettable experience in a stunning location is a greater challenge. Mr & Mrs Smith was founded in 2003 by James and Tamara Lohan to discover the world's finest hotels and travel experiences. Now, with a million members and counting, their global presence has made them leading experts on hotels and destinations, crafting bespoke experiences for their clients. This selection of thirty-five of the sexiest hotel rooms features bedrooms in a wide variety of stunning locations all over the world. From a rustic safari lodge to a luxurious Venetian pallazzo, this essential overview tells the story behind the design and decor of each unique room, the history of the hotel and the essentials for where to go when you visit. Written by Sarah Jappy, and with reviews by trusted tastemakers, such as Lauren Laverne, Raymond Blanc and Stella McCartney, all of the featured rooms are presented alongside tips from those who have visited, with their recommendations for the unique features and experiences on offer for each hotel and within its surrounding area. Illustrated with over 300 colour photographs of the rooms, hotels and locations by art photographer Polly Brown, this is the insider's guide to everything you need to know, whether you are planning a honeymoon, mini-break or the romantic adventure of a lifetime.

"A timely book that addresses serious questions facing those of us who love 'The Big Wild.'"--Kenneth Glasser, Chairman, Otsego County Board of Commissioners "I seldom have been so moved by any writing as I have by "Pigeon River Country," [It] has a power, a clarity, a message that springs from a vision, but also from a deep, inner soul."--John F. Barton, retired journalist, United Press International and U.S. Information Agency The eagerly awaited new edition of a classic offers memories, myths, and meanings of the largest contiguous piece of wild area in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The Pigeon River Country is a remote and beautiful forest in northern Michigan. Ecologically distinct from most other areas of the United States, this mysterious country, shrouded in forest and laced with waterways, has a unique and storied past. Dale Clarke Franz has collected personal accounts from various people who have called the Pigeon River Country their home--including loggers; conservationists; mill workers; campers; even Ernest Hemingway, who said he loved the forest "better than anything in the world." There are also comprehensive discussions of the area's flora and fauna, guides to the trails and camping sites, and a photo section showcasing the changing face of this hidden national treasure. This updated edition explores why and how the outdoors moves and compels us. While it considers life beyond the boundaries of Pigeon River Country, it is steeped in the specifics of a place that lives mostly on its own, instead of human, terms.

Dale Clarke Franz lived in northern Michigan for 22 years. He has been a newspaper editor, bookstore manager, U.S. Navy officer, college instructor, and portraitphotographer. He administered the Otsego County Planning and Zoning Department, which encompassed more than 500 square miles. More recently, he has been a writer for the "Ann Arbor Observer," Visit his Web site at dalefranz.org.

A superb souvenir of this exotic terrain, Big Bend Vistas takes you on five journeys that begin at Panther Junction and travel to Study Butte; then on to the Chisos Basin, Santa Elena Canyon, Boquillas Canyon, and finally to Persimmon Gap. Easy to read and understand, Big Bend Vistas describes how volcanoes millions of years ago created some of the most striking scenery in Texas. The author includes vivid photographs, maps, and diagrams that explain the landscape and geology of Big Bend National Park in layman's terms. This is the third edition of Big Bend Vistas in the acclaimed "Vista" series dedicated to making Texas geology interesting for everyone.

From the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean, the vast Sahara to the Cape Verde archipelago, Africa offers a lifetime of travel adventures. Whether you're a wide-eyed newcomer or an ever-returning visitor, the continent promises 54 extraordinarily diverse countries, urban creative hubs, pristine night skies and wildlife, as well as a momentous sense of our human past. In this visual journey through Africa, we discover glimpses of postcard-ready landscapes, rich culture, and incredible interiors, all spied through the doorways and windows of the continent's most stunning hotels. Angelika Taschen takes us to hidden gems across Mozambique, South Africa, and Ethiopia; from a Tanzanian coffee plantation, where guests can enjoy the ultimate Arabica brew in breathtaking surroundings; the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, painted pink at the end of the First World War and host to many meditators since; to the moving Serengeti Safari Camp, boasting of just a handful of tents that follow the migrations of wildlife all year round. In this updated guide, we discover each hotel through crisp photography as well as key information including directions, contact details, and recommended reading for each destination.

Established as the first national park in the eastern United States, Acadia National Park has 120 miles of hiking trails through more than 40,000 acres along the coast of Maine. Fully revised and updated, this edition of Hiking Acadia National Park covers ridge trails, forest paths, oceanside strolls, and cliff climbs for hikers of all ages and abilities. Look inside to find: - Hikes suited to every ability - Mile-by-mile directional cues - Difficulty ratings, trail contacts, fees/permits, and best hiking seasons - An index of hikes by category --from easy day hikes to hikes to waterfalls - Invaluable trip-planning information, including local lodging and campgrounds - GPS location for each trailhead - GPS-compatible maps of each trail

Perfect Camping for You in Illinois The Prairie State provides a spectacular backdrop for some of the most scenic campgrounds in the country. But do you know which campgrounds offer the most privacy? Which are the best for first-time campers? John Schirle has traversed the entire region-from Apple River Canyon State Park in the northwest, with its bubbling creeks and steep ravines, to the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area in the south, one of the most photographed locations in the state-and compiled the most up-to-date research to steer you to the perfect spot! Best Tent Camping: Illinois presents 50 private, state park, state recreation area, forest preserve, and wildlife area campgrounds, organized into three distinct regions. Selections are based on location, topography, size, and overall appeal, and every site is rated for beauty, privacy, spaciousness, safety and security, and cleanliness-so you'll always know what to expect. The new full-color edition of this proven guidebook provides everything you need to know, with detailed maps of each campground and key information such as fees, restrictions, dates of operation, and facilities, as well as driving directions and GPS coordinates. Whether you seek a quiet campground near a fish-filled stream or a family campground with all the amenities, grab Best Tent Camping: Illinois. It's an escape for all who wish to find those special locales that recharge the mind, body, and spirit. This guide is a keeper.