Customer Reviews

Canyon Interludes: Between White Water and Red Rock

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Written in the spirit of Henry David Thoreau, Ed Abbey, and Everett Reuss, Rea artfully describes mind-blowing scenery across the entire Colorado Plateau experienced while rafting, backpacking, hiking and touring. Mixing natural history with insightful philosophical reflections, Rea draws the reader ever deep into the scenery and transformative character of the Plateau. Written with passion and skill, Rea's book is a must read for enthusiasts of the Colorado Plateau, naturalists, historians, and everyone interested in preserving what little remains of the wild.

By Kyle Gardner, author of Medicine Rock Reflections

Paul Rea's book, Canyon Interludes, offers the reader more than merely environmental reflection. In the tradition of Edward Abbey, Rea offers the reader integrated moments of personal reflection while traveling into some of the most undiscovered country left in America, the canyons and rivers of Southeastern Utah, the four corners region, and the desiduous Southwest.

Set deep in such amazing landscapes as these, Rea offers the reader incredibly detailed depictions of nature intertwined with very real physical tribulations - and accompanying emotional ponderings - while hiking and kayaking in the vast and remote spaces that few have bothered (or dared) to travel. This is a visceral piece that anyone who has experienced the sparcely harsh, yet awe-inspiring high desert would appreciate. Like Abbey, this author provides the reader with introspective moments to find themselves as well.

The author's delight in the areas he travels is palpable. Paul Rea's passion for rock, river, plants and birds unfolds as he strides through a canyon or paddles a stretch of quiet river. His prose awakens the senses and creates a strong desire to experience these places for oneself.
This is not a book to be speed-read. Each sentence packs so much color, description and nuance that the reader wants to read slowly and savor each line.
The enthusiasm the author feels comes through "loud and strong." In addition, he invites readers to understand that some of these wonders will not be accessible to our heirs if we do not carefully set aside/preserve these environs. His concern for the environment is balanced by a sense of fair play-trying to find solutions that work for everyone.
If you are passionate about the "great outdoors," this is a book for you!

Reading Rea's book is truly like being in the red rock country. His adventurous stories are alive with colorful sensory detail and suffused with his love for the natural world, with all its challenges, grit and glory. Rea writes with a naturalist's keen eye, weaving in history and philosophy, and concern for the threat our species poses to the wild.

I generally am a reader of fiction rather than nature books. After a friend recommended this book to me, I found to my surprise that it was enchanting. The poetic descriptions, which are both sensual and spiritual, lovingly render the incredible beauty found in this part of the world. This motivated me to plan a glorious trip to the red rock country to see it for myself.