Wilderness Pleasures

by Callan, Kevin

• ISBN13: 9781550464979
• ISBN10: 1550464973
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-09-12
• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Summary

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 ChronicleThis 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.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Art of Anticipation: Getting Ready for Your Trip

Doing the Research

Map and Flap Parties

Lightweight and Fancy Free

Routes Less Traveled

Camping in the Backyard

Spending More Time Out There

GOOD CAMPING COMPANIONS

Taking the Kids Camping

Dog Paddling

How to Make Love in a Canoe

The Zen of Solo Tripping

Women Only, Please

Cool Camp Gadgets and Fashion Statements

Homegrown Gadgets

Understanding My GPS Manual

Traditional Gear that Still Works

Good Fashion Sense

The Perfect Camp Hat

Green Gear

All The Thrills With None of The Spills: How We Get Around

Mr. Canoehead

Kayaking

Car-Camping

Mountain Biking

Walking in the Woods

Feeling at Home in The Wilderness

The Birth of the Therm-a-rest

Staying Warm and Cozy

Keep It Clean

Pooping Perfectly in the Woods

Sauna Sweat Is the Best Sweat

Skinny Dipping

Eating Well

Recipe Contest

Baking in the Bush

More S'mores

Bush Martinis and Other Wilderness Spirits

Perfect Bush Martini

There's a Blackfly in My Chardonnay

Hot Toddies

Single Malt Whisky

Irish Camp Coffee

Getting Close To Wildlife -- But Not Too Close!

Common Camp Critters

Who Pooped Behind My Tent?

Lynx: Encounter

Running with the Moose in Northern Ontario

Catching a Trout on a Fly

Watching The Weather

Keeping Warm and Dry

A Wise Sailor Once Said

Lightning Does Strike Twice

Watching the Night Sky

Moon Magic

Northern Lights

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Exploration: The Joys of Living to Tell the Tale

Knowing Trips Worse Than Yours

River Paddling

Loving to Portage

Sharing Bear Stories

What We Really Fear Is

Intrinsic Values of Wilderness

That Special Place

Campfires

Living Primitively

Wilderness and the Art of Deception

Bibliography

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

IntroductionI went along to iron out the wrinkles in my soul. -- Omond SolandtI 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.