Paddle Routes of Western Washington: 50 Flatwater Trips for Canoe and Kayak

When I bought this book I thought I'd like to try some flat water trips. But I forgot one thing: the trip back to the car is really tough. These trips take at least two people with two cars, so I never go, since I don't have any friends who kayak (or canoe). In fact, I don't have any friends at all, come to think of it. Anyway, if you are not like me and if you do have some friends who like to drive a lot and can get all the cars and boats in position, remembering to leave the beer in the DOWNhill car, and to take the keys to BOTH cars and all that complicated stuff you have to figure out, then this is a pretty good book, because it gives a lot of information about where to go, how to get there, where to leave the downhill vehicle, where to start from, how long the trips are and so on. The maps are nice and there are some good black and white photos showing what you will see in color if you and all your friends can work it all out.

A group of companions and I were off to find a run of the Black River near Olympia, and were having trouble finding where we wanted. We were driving through Littlerock in two cars each with a canoe on top, and pulled over to compare ideas of what to do on our map. Behind us pulled up a truck as we stopped. It was Verne Huser himself, who noticed our canoes and that we were going in an odd direction, so decided to follow. The author helped us figure out how to get to a good spot on the river, and we had a great time! So, how often do you think that happens that the author of a book about paddle routes was there to offer friendly advice while we were lost?