Customer Reviews

Idaho Off the Beaten Path, 8th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)

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Off the beaten path? Hardly!
After purchasing, reading, and using the "Off the Beaten Path" book series for Wyoming, Montana, and Utah as a guide for numerous 2-week, outdoor adventure vacations, the Idaho book from the series was a huge disappointment. The books on WY, MT, and UT provide countless descriptions of truly unique, out-of-the-way places that are off the beaten path. In other words, the WY, MT, and UT books list places you otherwise would not stumble upon if not for being pointed out by the author. From little known state parks, rarely visited ghost towns, unusual natural or geological features, unmarked archaeological sites, and remote sites of unique ecological significance, the WY, MT and UT books have it all for the outdoor adventurer that loves to camp and hike across a western landscape. In contrast, the book covering Idaho is riddled with too many references to commercially-owned places to stay; far too numerous places in highly populated areas; the campgrounds and parks that are mentioned are always premised with being hugely popular (aka - crowded), and for outdoor adventures, the recommendation seems to include far too often commercial outfitters or guiding service. No thanks!! The author would do well to take a lesson from the authors of the Wyoming, Montana, and Utah Off the Beaten Path books.

I've looked at many travel guides, and this one by Julie Fanselow, I highly recommend. It contains, yes, sights, ON the beaten path--indeed why not include them? There's often some valuable detail about them omitted in other guides. But also there are a myriad other recommendations about local restaurants, festivals, fun places to stay in all price ranges, and unusual sights, e.g., the mammoth exhibit in Eimer's Park, the opal mine in Spencer, the Carmela Winery at Glenn's Ferry, "a cross between a medieval castle and a French chateau."

The book divides Idaho into 7 geographical areas--a very convenient method for the traveler--with a chapter and map for each. And for each, she gives a personal touch, mentioning her own personal favorites for festivals, restaurants, and such, and lists useful websites for that area. She makes the whole state sound fascinating, with little tidbits (just enough) of local color and history to make you want to jump on a plane. It was entertaining enough to give me several nights of enjoyable bedside reading.

This is a short book, 172 pages, but it tells you what you need to know. Why wade through discussions of dozens of places to stay, for instance, when you can read of the few best that are in your price range?