* A range of easy to challenging hikes for kids of all ages and within a 2-hour drive of the DC area * Most hikes feature water, rocks, historical sites, natural areas, or parks—all fun to explore! * Lots of tips and tricks for hiking with kids Best Hikes with Kids: Washington DC the Beltway & Beyond showcases more than 65 family-friendly hikes in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area, extending to within a two-hour drive radius and including the eastern ridges of Shenandoah National Park. Longtime environmental educator, hiking guide, and mother of two, Jennifer Chambers introduces families in the DC area to a variety of trail options while also helping them to spend quality time together discovering nature. Each hike has been chosen for its engaging physical features and landscape along a natural surface trail, in addition to the accessibility of the trailhead for busy families with children of all ages. A selection of trails also accommodates the use of a jogging stroller. Trails range from easy to difficult in order to provide a physical challenge for families whose children are very active or of an age to successfully complete the hike—and have a lot fun!

NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Destined to become an adventure classic." —Anchorage Daily News Hailed as "gripping" (New York Times) and "beautiful" (Washington Post), The Adventurer's Son is Roman Dial’s extraordinary and widely acclaimed account of his two-year quest to unravel the mystery of his son’s disappearance in the jungles of Costa Rica. In the predawn hours of July 10, 2014, the twenty-seven-year-old son of preeminent Alaskan scientist and National Geographic Explorer Roman Dial, walked alone into Corcovado National Park, an untracked rainforest along Costa Rica’s remote Pacific Coast that shelters miners, poachers, and drug smugglers. He carried a light backpack and machete. Before he left, Cody Roman Dial emailed his father: “I am not sure how long it will take me, but I’m planning on doing 4 days in the jungle and a day to walk out. I’ll be bounded by a trail to the west and the coast everywhere else, so it should be difficult to get lost forever.” They were the last words Dial received from his son. As soon as he realized Cody Roman’s return date had passed, Dial set off for Costa Rica. As he trekked through the dense jungle, interviewing locals and searching for clues—the authorities suspected murder—the desperate father was forced to confront the deepest questions about himself and his own role in the events. Roman had raised his son to be fearless, to be at home in earth’s wildest places, travelling together through rugged Alaska to remote Borneo and Bhutan. Was he responsible for his son’s fate? Or, as he hoped, was Cody Roman safe and using his wilderness skills on a solo adventure from which he would emerge at any moment? Part detective story set in the most beautiful yet dangerous reaches of the planet, The Adventurer’s Son emerges as a far deeper tale of discovery—a journey to understand the truth about those we love the most. The Adventurer’s Son includes fifty black-and-white photographs.

Discover the wonders of Washington’s complex ecosystem with this field guide to the district’s parks, gardens, urban forests and more. Every neighborhood of Washington, D.C., is home to abundant wildlife, and its large park network is rich in natural wonders. A hike along the trails of Rock Creek Park, one of the country’s largest and oldest urban forests, quickly reveals white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, and little brown bats. Mayapples, Virginia bluebells, and red mulberry trees are but a few of the treasures found growing at the National Arboretum. A stroll along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers might reveal stealthy denizens such as bullfrogs, largemouth bass, and common snapping turtles. In Field Guide to the Natural World of Washington, D.C., naturalist Howard Youth takes readers on an urban safari, describing the wild side of the nation’s capital. Detailed drawings by Carnegie artist Mark A. Klingler and photography by Robert E. Mumford, Jr., reveal the stunning color and beauty of the flora and fauna awaiting every D.C. naturalist. Residents and tourists alike will find this guide indispensable, whether seeking a secluded jog or an adventurous outing away from the noise of the city.

IF YOU LIVE in the Greater Washington region, the excursions described here are close at hand. The walks explore our area's outstanding national, state, and local parks and extensive trail networks. Some of the trails are also suitable for ski touring and bicycling. Each chapter of Country Walks Near Washington includes an overview, detailed directions, one or more maps (there are sixty in all), and extensive commentary.