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A Practical Matter

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   $16.80 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

   Hound: A Mystery

   Vincent McCaffrey

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:

mauramcauliffe, October 26, 2009 (view all comments by mauramcauliffe)
Best of the Best for guiding us around Maui. Best directions, more photos than all the others and more hiking trails with degree of difficulty indicated. Where to park was most important since the roads were so narrow.

You can probably "get" that we adore the series. The authors don't go overboard with gushing puff, they tell it like it is accurately and with enough historical background to make the path interesting. Great trip.

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GregHayes, January 26, 2009 (view all comments by GregHayes)
There are four activity guidebooks in this wonderful series: Maui Trailblazer, Kauai Trailblazer, Oahu Trailblazer, and Hawaii the Big Island 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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Product Details

ISBN:

9780967007243

Subtitle:

Where to Hike Snorkel Paddle Surf Drive

Author:

Sprout, Jerry

Author:

Sprout, Jerry

Author:

Sprout, Janine

Publisher:

Wilderness Press

Location:

Markleeville, Calif.

Subject:

United States - General

Subject:

United States - Pacific - Hawaii

Subject:

Hawaii

Subject:

Outdoor recreation

Subject:

Maui

Subject:

Maui (hawaii)

Subject:

Outdoor recreation - Hawaii - Maui

Edition Number:

2

Series:

Hawaiian Hiking Guides

Series Volume:

no. 69

Publication Date:

January 2005

Binding:

Paperback

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Yes

Pages:

256

Dimensions:

898x610x60 88