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Powell's Q&A, Q&A | December 10, 2009

Sam Stephenson: IMG Powell's Q&A: Sam Stephenson

0 comments By Sam Stephenson

Describe your latest book/project/work. I've been studying the life and work of photographer W. Eugene Smith for 13 years. My first book (Dream... Continue »
  1. $28.00 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    The Jazz Loft Project: Photographs and Tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 821 Sixth Avenue, 1957-1965

    Sam Stephenson and W. Eugene Smith

Hawaii: The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf, Bike, & Drive

by Jerry Sprout and Janine Sprout

Hawaii: The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf, Bike, & Drive Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

With its obscure roads and enormous size — nearly twice that of the rest of the Hawaiian Islands combined — the Big Island presents a challenge to adventure travelers who have limited time. Hawaii: The Big Island Trailblazer for 2008 comes to the rescue with clear driving and trail descriptions to all of nature's all-stars, from the top of Mauna Kea to the shores of Kealakekua Bay. Presenting vivid maps and its easy-to-use format, Trailblazer is a personal tour guide that fits in your knapsack. Hikers, snorkelers, and surfers can zero in on all the island's scenic masterpieces, as well as seek out the quiet wonders the Sprouts are known to discover.

You'll find jungle valleys, blue lagoons, red-hot lava, hidden beaches, and starry nights on the tallest peak in the world. A separate map and listing shows bicyclists the island's hottest single tracks, along with trans-island cycling routes. Several driving tours take you to the Big Island's panoramas, but don't neglect the local-style galleries and restaurants, coffee and macadamia farms, and cultural curiosities. Handpicked accommodations present campsites and rustic digs, plus choice B&B's and resorts, both glitzy and budget. Hundreds of beautiful photographs illustrate a text rich with historical and cultural background. Reading Trailblazer gives you the feeling of being there, and then makes you want to get up and go!

Book News Annotation:

The authors describe 100-plus treks for diverse activities on the Orchid Isle. They include facts on its volcanic geology and history, lodging and dining options, maps, resources, b&w photos, and a Hawaiian glossary.
Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Review:

"An energetically presented and highly recommended resource guide, Hawaii: The Big Island Trailblazer by Jerry and Janine Sprout is a thoroughly 'user friendly' travel guide featuring truly great locales in which to hike, snorkel, surf, bike, or drive anywhere in Hawaii. Specifically for families wanting shared recreational experiences, and ideal for solitary vacationers seeking memorable do-it-yourself adventures, Hawaii: The Big Island Trailblazer is enhanced with 9 maps and over 200 black-and-white photographs; a 'Kids Only' section; driving tours; safety trips; resource links; information on Hawaiian culture and history, and a great deal more." Midwest Book Review, January 2004

Synopsis:

Hike, bike, and snorkel in Hawaii's prime spots, and then relax on one of the island's best driving tours, visit a coffee or macadamia nut farm, and take in a local art gallery. Campsites, B & Bs, and resorts, plus tons of photos and details on Hawaiian culture and history.

Description:

A guide for families and outdoor adventurers alike, the new and completely revised 2008 Trailblazer takes you to all of the Big Island's famous attractions, as well as its hidden spots. Nearly twice the size of the rest of Hawaii combined, the Big Island presents a challenge to adventure travelers with limited time. Trailblazer comes to the rescue with its trademark organization and clear directions for...
  • 156 hikes and strolls: the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the shores of Waipio Valley and Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, rain forests and tropical gardens, waterfalls, petroglyph fields, and the Kona Coast
  • 75 snorkeling and swimming spots including remote hike-to specials
  • 39 surfing spots: boards, bodyboarding, and body surfing
  • 24 bike trails for adventure cyclists: mountain, coastal, forest, pasture
  • 25 campgrounds and rustic cabin hideaways
Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer also includes...
  • 9 maps and more than 200 photographs
  • A Trailblazer Kids section for adventuring families
  • A Best Of section that lets you pick the right activity for the right day
  • Resource Links with hand-picked accommodations and restaurants,recreational outfitters, transportation, and visitor information
  • Hawaiian culture and history
  • Museums, attractions and shopping
  • Driving tours to the Parker Ranch and Kohala Coast, Hilo and the Heritage Coast, and Kona coffee country
  • Safety tips and trip-planning advice
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About the Author

Travel writers Jerry and Janine Sprout have been exploring Hawaii and the American West for more than 20 years. They have authored two other best-selling Hawaiian guides-for Kauai and Maui-as well as their classic Alpine Trailblazer which covers the Sierra from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite and Golden Gate Trailblazer for San Francisco and Marin.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
GregHayes, January 26, 2009 (view all comments by GregHayes)
There are four activity guidebooks in this wonderful series: Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer, Kauai Trailblazer, Oahu Trailblazer, and Maui Trailblazer (there is also a great planning guide to all the islands called No Worries Hawaii). I have been reviewing guidebooks for many years (and, in fact, wrote several well-received guides to travel guides in the pre-Internet era) and I can say without reservation that these four books are the best available for Hawaii. The authors, Jerry and Janine Sprout, have been roaming the Hawaiian islands for decades and taking a lot of useful notes and beautiful photos along the way. All of this translates into a wonderful, informative read (I've read them all cover to cover) even if you're only an armchair traveler dreaming of a vacation in the land of aloha. You’ll learn a lot about these magical, magnificent places in addition to the activities that best meet your needs. No matter which island you pick, each book is similarly organized and equally well done. And the black-and-white photos are a joy. (If you're not sure where you're headed, their planning guide, No Worries Hawaii, can help you decide which island to head for and what part of that island makes the most sense). Important tip: Be sure to read the “How to Use This Book” section to learn how to get the most out these great resource books. And don’t miss the “Best Of” section, which is divided into lots of useful categories from waterfall walks, big views, and sunset beaches to town strolls, gardens, and perfect places with little walking—there is something here for everyone. There are also good maps to orient you. Driving and parking directions are excellent—no small trick in a place where the only sign to tell you you’ve arrived may be a small mile marker along the highway. You’ll definitely want to learn two new, directional words, which are very helpful in a land surrounded by water: makai—meaning “toward the ocean,” and mauka—meaning “inland or toward the mountains.” Read carefully, follow along and the Sprouts will get you to some places few tourists ever go. Each walk or hike provides parking instructions, round-trip distances, elevation gained, and other practical information. Hiking/walking directions are also very well done. In general, you won’t need a topographical map, but for more serious hikes some folks may feel more comfortable with one. Other activities at each location, such as surfing, biking, snorkeling, are carefully described as well. Practical information on every possible subject includes great driving tours, the best stuff for kids, climate, important resource numbers, and cryptic but very well chosen lists of the best food and lodging choices in each area. Whatever all-purpose guide you choose, don’t visit the islands without the appropriate Trailblazer guide in hand. It will make all the difference.
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geronimogo, March 25, 2008 (view all comments by geronimogo)
Two weeks on Big Island using this Trailblazer as our guide. The only way to see it all with better driving and hiking directions than all the other books we had along. These authors are really in touch with Hawaii and their honesty and long lists of places to see, swim (with turtles) and bike were right on. Luckily we were there when the lava was really streaming, an experience of a lifetime. Excellent buy for first timers and best read weeks before leaving. We got full value and plan to see more of the Hamakua Coast this coming October.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780967007250
Subtitle:
The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf, Bike, & Drive
Author:
Jerry Sprout and Janine Sprout
Author:
Sprout, Janine
Author:
Jerry
Author:
Sprout, Jerry
Publisher:
Wilderness Press
Subject:
Hiking
Subject:
United States - Pacific - Hawaii
Edition Number:
2
Series:
Trailblazer
Publication Date:
October 2003
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
256
Dimensions:
8.98x6.08x.60 in. .92 lbs.
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