A guidebook for those who love swimming, gentle woodland adventure, and swinging out over a pool of cool, clear water

Provides water lovers with a host of fun destinations Includes swimming gems from drive-ups to hike-ins, in-city to out in the country Appeals to all ages, fitness types, and income levels—admission fees not required Finally a guidebook for swimmers! There is no shortage of guides for places to hike, climb, and paddle in Western Washington, but not much on how to find perfect places to swim. Now Swimming Holes of Washington fills that, er, hole. It’s the ultimate list for water lovers who want to find gorgeous and fun places to make a splash. Everyone from hardcore hikers to families out for a picnic and plunge will enjoy this guide to a universally loved activity. Authors Anna Katz and Shane Robinson literally dove into their research to find the best swimming holes to share. They set the bar high: cleanliness and clearness of the water is paramount, but the beauty of the surrounding area, the company (or wonderful lack thereof), and the effort involved in getting there are also taken into account. This lavishly illustrated, full-color guide includes: 70 prime swimming holes, mainly in the Cascades and Olympics, with an emphasis on natural swimming locations Description of each location, including insider’s tips, type of swimming hole, best season to go, and the features and amenities found there Directions via car, bike, public transport, and/or foot Trail maps to the more remote holes Information on swimming safety, etiquette, types of water holes, gear, and more

This new guide to hiking the fire lookouts of Washington’s Cascades and Olympics is the quintessential Northwest guide and will appeal to a wide range of hikers. Features of Hiking Washington’s Fire Lookouts include: 44 fire lookouts—those that feature access by trail All lookouts are accessible during the typical summer season Only lookouts that are still standing—no hiking up to a barren mound of broken concrete! Routes are not technical—hikers just need boots, trekking poles, and, probably, lunch Lookout history, anecdotes, and full-color photos throughout Each lookout description features the year it was constructed; access details, including overnight stays and winter access; location and land manager; roundtrip distance on trail; trail elevation gain; lookout’s elevation; map info; trailhead GPS coordinates; information about any permits or fees; and driving directions to the trailhead. Introductory chapters provide an overview of Washington State’s lookouts, as well as information about their upkeep, lookout architectural types, and general hiking tips, while an appendix provides an overview to a handful of additional lookouts in the state that are not hikable.

In many small towns across Montana, the local bar is also the only restaurant and is an important part of community life. In larger towns and cities, gems from Montana’s Wild West past are still found. This book celebrates the quirky, unusual, and downright fun and entertaining saloons across the state. Montana Watering Holes features more than fifty of the best spots to stop for a drink (or a burger) scattered across Montana. From big-city spots like the Rhino in Missoula (with its 150 beers on tap) to the famous cheeseburgers at the bar in Pony (pop. 50), community spirit and tradition abound in the nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century buildings that have served as saloons, restaurants, and gathering places throughout the Treasure State. This book describes the best of the best, offering geographic diversity, anecdotes, and sidebars on local characters from the past. It is illustrated with archival and contemporary black-and-white photographs.

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

Inspired by John Cheever's classic short story, 'The Swimmer', Roger Deakin set out from his home in Suffolk to swim through the British Isles. The result of his journey is this personal view of an island race.