America's National Parks for DUMMIES
Written: Aug 04 '04 (Updated Oct 11 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easily used for reference and has excellent pointers.
Cons: Uneven in suggestions for camping and lodging outside of parks
The Bottom Line: This book is perfect for the planning stages of visiting our countries national parks.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Kurt Repanshek - National Parks Of The American We... |
I have been to many, many National Parks, National Historic Sites, National Seashores, National Recreation Areas and more. I also have written about thirty reviews of these places. I went and planned for all these places on my own. Sooooo, Who would think that a book for dummies is needed for going to National Parks? After reading this book I saw how many good points it makes for traveling and how many suggestions and details given are good for novices and seasoned campers and travelers alike.
Four Parts and 25 CHAPTERS
The 526 page soft cover book is broken up into 25 Chapters. Part I consists of four chapters. It opens with basics of getting started. Where should you go and why? Some parks are ideal for rugged camping and walking trails but at the same time they may not be the perfect choice for a family. The diversity of the National Parks is discussed stating that much in history can be studied in the eastern parks and more wilderness is found in the west. Budget issues are also discussed in the first four chapters along with specific travel needs for families, older people, singles, and those with disabilities.
PART II
Part II that also has four chapters goes into detail of how to plan. Do you do it on your own, we always have, or do you go to a travel agent. If you choose the later this book for dummies suggests you learn a bit about your destinations so you can help the agent set up what you want and not what looks good in a brochure. This book suggests purchasing other books like Frommers Guides for greater detail of individual parks. I believe that's a good idea but don't go right to a guide. I like the way this book takes your hand and goes over so many little thought of situations. Here's one. It is almost impossible to get into a National Park Lodge during the summer by trying to book just a month or so before. The book however states that sometimes blocks of rooms are purchased by tour wholesalers who may fail to sell them. Sometimes the rooms are once again available. The book also explains how many of the parks lodging areas are actually privately run. Sometimes you can get more information from the private web sites. This book will lead you to some.
Very specific camping guide lines, suggestions, and methods of getting into campgrounds are given whether you are tenting or driving an RV. Back country permits are also discussed.
Money, money, money takes up its own chapter. Should you carry cash, what credit cards are good, what do you do if you lose your wallet. This book for dummies makes it easy. Some answers are common sense, others are bits of inside information. Safety suggestions for your car are given too.
The last chapter in Part II gives some good information about packing. Knowing weather conditions is a big factor on what you bring. If you traveled from Death Valley to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon you can watch the temperature drop 50 degrees from one park to the next.
A nice list is in the book for summer gear and winter gear. Many are the same items but others differ considerably. Depending on the season, elevation, and other factors, this book will help you pack.
Taking along "Spot" gets a few paragraphs stating that "National Parks allow pets, but if you really love your pet, leave him or her home". Now some of you may say this book isn't for you just because of that statement but if you read on it gives some pertinent safety and common sense answers as to why.
The chapter also gives some practical advice as to medical needs, insurance, animals you may encounter, and natural hazards. It is important to know about these things and perhaps discuss them as a family.
PART THREE
This to me is the fun part of the book. This is where the author discusses the ins and outs of 15 of the nations....
...BEST NATIONAL PARKS.
They are listed and written about not geographically but alphabetically.
Acadia National Park
Arches NP
Cape Cod National Seashore
Death Valley NP
Grand Canyon NP
Grand Teton NP
Great Smokey Mountains NP
Mammoth Cave NP
Mount Rainier NP
Olympic NP
Sequois and Kings Canyon NPs
Yellowstone NP
Yosemite NP
Zion NP
Another discussion can be made as to whether this is the top list or should others be include or some of these be removed. Having been to ten of these listed and others I believe that Bryce Canyon NP, Rocky Mountain NP and Mesa Verde NP would be in my top list. Anyways, this is still an awesome list of places to visit. The book describes each park in pretty good detail with many helpful hints and ideas.
I'll take you through one park, the first on the list. It is Acadia National Park, a park I have visited nearly twenty times at least ten days each time. I know it well and can compare some good and bad information, in my mind, the book give.
The 15 parks are described in about 400 pages giving an average of about 27 pages each depending on its size and interests.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
The book first gives an overall picture of the park stating it's one of the smallest National parks but is extremely diverse having ".....rocky beaches, thick pine forests, placid lakes, and easily scaled mountains make this park one of the country's most popular - 3 Million fans flock to it each year.........
.......You can hike the dramatic grounds of this ocean wrapped treasure or relax in a charming fishing village." (Bar Harbor, Seal Harbor, Northwest Harbor and many others.)
Some of the parks history is discussed along with prominent names of people who lived there and/or gave much of the land to the National Parks Service so that we could still use it today as it was then. ...."The Rockefellers, Morgans, Vanderbuilts, Carnegies and Astors to name a few...."
The book then gives some tips about seeing it all in one day or suggesting to make plans to stay overnight. Many people come to Acadia expecting to do it in one day. They are disappointed when they see how much it offers and how quickly time goes by. The authors strong suggestion of planning at least an overnight stay is a good one. There is a check list of all the "Must See" attractions. Remember each chapter of a park lists these.
In Acadia National Park they list Cadillac Mountain, The Carriage roads, Echo lake, Somes Sound, and Thunder Hole.
Again this is the authors suggestions. Though I might switch one or two out for Sand Beach and the Bee Hive Mountain or Jordan Pond and the Bubbles Mountains is personal choice. The author has some good ones. What is good is that the author is also taking some people to a quieter part of the island that had its own treasures.
A full section is devoted on how to get top Acadia whether by Driving, Flying or taking a bus. I have driven and when business brought me back to NY when the family was still vacationing, I took the bus. The authors information was good when I compared it to my experiences.
Suggestions about lodging and making early reservations is stated. Each Park has a black and white map in its chapter. It's good for an overall study, but the National Parks Service will give you a free map with some good park information on it. These can be sent for ahead of time. The author shows you where and how. I have done this. I like to know the roads before I get to a destination. These maps are perfect for that. They are not detailed topgraphically well nor do they feature good detail for hiking trails though some are in them.
MORE TO LEARN
The chapter continues with Finding Information, Paying Fees, Getting Around and then some safety issues as they pertain to this particular park. Detailed information is next given to the suggested places to visit. The author tells some basics of how to get there and what you will find.
Acadia has a one way park loop road. The book highlights stops in bold lettering. If you have a few days, these places are worth your time.
In the book you will find "Heads Up and Kid Friendly" markers in the margins for quick easy reference. These are the kinds of inside information that makes this book useful. One section is dedicated to Photography Spots. Some of these suggestions seemed to take you off the beaten track. They are indeed highly prized photo opportunities.
Taking a hike is the heading for the next section of the book. It details the walk. This is directly from the book
Jordan Pond Shore trail
The hike along Jordan Pond's edge includes some rocky sections, but overall the path is hiker friendly. Jordan Pond shore Trail heads northward from the parking area on the eastern shore of the pond. the return trip on the western shore follows a carriage path. Near the north end, take some time to inspect the oddly symmetrical granite mounds knowns as The Bubbles.
Distances, 3.3 miles round-trip. Level: Easy. Access Jordan Pond Parking area.
Though this would not be my hike of choice, there are so many of them, the book does offer a very good description.
OK you only have one day to see it all the book will show you how. It also includes a section on what animals you may see and where to find them.
One of my favorite things to do in National Parks is to go on Ranger led Programs. This book shows you some basics of what to do, where to sign up and what to expect. The chapter continues with ideas on how to keep busy whether biking, touring, canoeing, fishing, mountain climbing, Sea-Kayaking, swimming, and whale watching. Phone numbers, addresses, directions and other tips are given for reservations and information. The book even gives rainy day ideas that are very helpful.
The next sub-section of the chapter gives some detail information on where to stay. They list their Top lodgings and then Runner-Up lodgings. Price factors,and other detailed information is printed.
The book gives information about the parks campgrounds but nothing about the many private grounds that dot the island. I was disappointed in this part. I know many of these campgrounds have been in business for over thirty years. I stayed in some, though being in the parks Blackwoods Campground or Seawall is the Best.
Places to eat are listed but it is far from being complete. The book and I highly recommend The Jordan Pond House. It is a must stop in the park.
The chapter ends with a Fast facts Page. Area codes, ATM locations, Hospitals, Lost and Found, Pharmacies, Road Conditions and weather are just some of the info.
I hope this walk through Acadia gave an idea as to what each Chapter gives in information of the park and the area. I used the book for information about other parks too. Each chapter is written in pretty much then same format. A park like Yellowstone or Yosemite has much more print dedicated too it.
TOP TEN LISTS
The book doesn't end there. It continues with its Top Ten Lists giving more information about the Top Ten Incredible National Park Vistas, Ten Reasons Why a National Park is better than a Theme Park, and Ten Incredible Cheap Ways to Enjoy a National Park.
The appendix that has a "Quick Concierge" section has more info for American Express, ATMs, Emergencies, Mail, Maps, Newspapers and Mags, Tipping, and much more. A list of toll free numbers and websites are also here.
I also liked the Index. The parks of course are listed but other points can be easily found. If you want to see whales, look it up. The book will show you three parks that have access to them. Many particular places within the parks are listed too.
Though I do suggest individual companion books that go into much more detail about particular parks, this one gives a good overview, helpful hints, and it's easy to navigate.
Enjoy the book, any Dummy can use it and
enjoy Americas National Parks.
A few other travel books reviewed by pops
1,000 Places To See Before You Die
Wonderful Weekends From NY
National Geographic, National Parks Guide
National Parks For Dummies
How To Beat Jet Lag
Las Vegas Frommer's
An Off Beat and Informative Look At Australia
Recommended:
Yes
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