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Wilderness Pleasures: A Practical Guide to Camping Bliss Paperback – International Edition, September 12, 2008
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All of the thrills with none of the spills.
Praise for Kevin Callan's The Happy Camper:
"Comprehensive, easy-to-read... [Cal/an] displays the assurance and economy of a true woodsman, and applies humor as well."
- San Francisco Chronicle
This colorfully illustrated, highly entertaining, truly informative sequel to The Happy Camper looks at why people love the wilderness and how everyone from rugged canoe-trippers to family car-campers can derive more enjoyment from their time outdoors.
This is the perfect book for those who love camping except for "that one part" (which may be packing, portaging, bugs, bad weather, second-rate food, sleeping bags, rocks, uphill hikes, downhill tumbles, tippy canoes, life without a toilet or, let's face it, other campers). With his trademark mix of comic timing and expertise, veteran guide Kevin Callan reveals the secrets to smooth paddling and pleasure-filled camping.
Topics include:
- Choosing and planning the right trip
- Camping companion harmony
- Best camping equipment, gadgets and clothing
- Sleeping softly on hard ground
- Traveling light but eating well
- Bush martinis and other wilderness spirits
- Close encounters of the wildlife kind
- Campside saunas, skinny-dipping, and how to make love in a canoe.
- Print length240 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBoston Mills Press
- Publication dateSeptember 12, 2008
- Dimensions6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101550464973
- ISBN-13978-1550464979
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Most how-to books lack a sense of humor....That isn't the case with this slightly whacked book offering all sorts of information on camping...Some great little sidebars add to the fun... All of these little touches, coupled with good color photography and the author's great sense of humor, make this book a step above the average how-to guide. ― The Salt Lake Tribune Published On: 2008-09-14
The latest book from one of Explore's contributing editors shows there's much more to camping than just baked beans and bug bites. ― Explore (Toronto) Published On: 2008-10-31
Kevin Callan walks a fine line between the must-be-miserable-in-the-wilderness crowd and those that love their guilty pleasures.... He wants readers to have the experience while still feeling comfortable, and for the most part he manages to walk the line. -- Sharon Wootton ― Washington Herald Published On: 2008-12-06
Callan's newest book does not disappoint. It is funny, informative and makes for good reading if you are a camper who aspires to leave the car behind... "Wilderness Pleasures' has tips for experienced trippers, but is most geared for introductory and intermediate wilderness campers. It is more discussion than dissertation, more playful than profound.... Outdoor prudes may want a little fan to cool themselves. Most others will find Callan's humor and expertise a true pleasure to read. -- Howard Meyerson ― Grand Rapids Press Published On: 2008-10-31
[Callan] likes canoeing and he likes camping, and he's put together a helpful book of advice that will benefit anyone who wants to spend time outdoors.... His tips on what to pack and what's worth investing in are excellent, and the recipes for camp cooking alone are worth the price of the book.... Novice or veteran traveller in the bush, you can benefit from Callan's helpful and practical advice. -- Linda Turk ― Chronicle-Journal (Thunder Bay) Published On: 2008-08-10
About the Author
Kevin Callan is the author of 11 books, including The Happy Camper and the popular A Paddler's Guide series. A key speaker at major North American canoeing and camping expos for 20 years, he is the recipient of three National Magazine awards and four film awards, including top award at the prestigious Waterwalker Film Festival. Callan lives in Peterborough, Ontario, birthplace of the modern-day canoe.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction
I went along to iron out the wrinkles in my soul. -- Omond Solandt
I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WRITING ABOUT THE UNPLEASANTNESS and discomforts of camping -- stories of biting insects, nuisance bears and bad weather. I'm not sure exactly why. For some reason they're always the first tales to be told when I return from a trip. I guess, truth be told, misadventures usually make for better narratives. But what gets me out there in the first place, and what keeps me going out, is definitely not the discomfort. The pleasures of wilderness travel have always been the main attraction for me and, I have to assume, except for a few masochists, the same goes for most other campers out there. There are many ways to get comfortable out there without spoiling the experience. That's the reason behind this book. I thought the time was due for me to highlight the good things, not the bad. Or find the good in the bad. Call it an act of responsibility if you will -- this is my way to tell people who haven't gone camping before about the many wonders waiting for them out there, and a way to strike a chord with others who have already gone and experienced them.
Don't get me wrong. I'll still come back and tell tales of grueling trips, and enjoy every minute of it. But there are moments when we all need to consciously seek out and then recall feelings of delight, happiness and contentedness. Times when just the smell of a pine tree, the sound of a loon call, the touch of a cool breeze, anything joyful, really, draws us back to wilderness. That's what this book is all about. A reminder of why we really go out there in the first place.
Seriously, aren't we generally out camping to have fun? I know I am. I get great pleasure out of planning a perfect trip and traveling with good companions; I enjoy my moments of solitude; I'm delighted when mixing a good martini or baking the perfect s'more; I'm jealous of others who have packed along better luxury items or own a more technically advanced camp gadget but proud of my own homemade gear; I'm obsessed with the idea of making love in a canoe at midnight or taking an early morning skinny dip; and I'm absolutely thrilled to spot a bear out on a trail, and even more elated to spin a tale about the close encounter when I return home.
There are, without a doubt, a lot of pleasures to be derived from heading out into the great outdoors, and I greatly anticipate my next trip because I enjoyed the last one. This is the basis of my happiness while camping, and my contentment in life in general. It's what this book is all about -- the pleasures found while camping.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction
I went along to iron out the wrinkles in my soul. -- Omond Solandt
I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WRITING ABOUT THE UNPLEASANTNESS and discomforts of camping -- stories of biting insects, nuisance bears and bad weather. I'm not sure exactly why. For some reason they're always the first tales to be told when I return from a trip. I guess, truth be told, misadventures usually make for better narratives. But what gets me out there in the first place, and what keeps me going out, is definitely not the discomfort. The pleasures of wilderness travel have always been the main attraction for me and, I have to assume, except for a few masochists, the same goes for most other campers out there. There are many ways to get comfortable out there without spoiling the experience. That's the reason behind this book. I thought the time was due for me to highlight the good things, not the bad. Or find the good in the bad. Call it an act of responsibility if you will -- this is my way to tell people who haven't gone camping before about the many wonders waiting for them out there, and a way to strike a chord with others who have already gone and experienced them.
Don't get me wrong. I'll still come back and tell tales of grueling trips, and enjoy every minute of it. But there are moments when we all need to consciously seek out and then recall feelings of delight, happiness and contentedness. Times when just the smell of a pine tree, the sound of a loon call, the touch of a cool breeze, anything joyful, really, draws us back to wilderness. That's what this book is all about. A reminder of why we really go out there in the first place.
Seriously, aren't we generally out camping to have fun? I know I am. I get great pleasure out of planning a perfect trip and traveling with good companions; I enjoy my moments of solitude; I'm delighted when mixing a good martini or baking the perfect s'more; I'm jealous of others who have packed along better luxury items or own a more technically advanced camp gadget but proud of my own homemade gear; I'm obsessed with the idea of making love in a canoe at midnight or taking an early morning skinny dip; and I'm absolutely thrilled to spot a bear out on a trail, and even more elated to spin a tale about the close encounter when I return home.
There are, without a doubt, a lot of pleasures to be derived from heading out into the great outdoors, and I greatly anticipate my next trip because I enjoyed the last one. This is the basis of my happiness while camping, and my contentment in life in general. It's what this book is all about -- the pleasures found while camping.
Product details
- Publisher : Boston Mills Press; Illustrated edition (September 12, 2008)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1550464973
- ISBN-13 : 978-1550464979
- Item Weight : 1.35 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.69 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,059,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #681 in Air Travel Reference (Books)
- #741 in Canoeing
- #2,323 in Camping (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Kevin (aka The Happy Camper) is the author of 18 books; his latest being Once Around Algonquin: An Epic Canoe Journey. He is an award winning writer and a keynote speaker at outdoor events across North America. Kevin is also a regular guest on several television morning shows and CBC Radio. He has won several film awards, writes a column for Paddling Magazine and Explore Magazine. Kevin was listed one of the top 100 modern day explorers by the Canadian Geographical Society. He was also made Patron Paddler for Paddle Canada. Check out his web site at www.kevincallan.com and YouTube channel KCHappyCamper.
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Don't buy this expecting it to be a "how-to" text or a "camping for dummies" book. Buy this instead if you or your family love camping and want inspiration and a fresh perspective on the outdoor activity so many of us love. After reading this, you'll be reenergized and be ready to plan your next big trip.
if you are thinking about a canoe camping trip, or are already an experienced tripper... you will find a lot of fun information and insights in this book.