Take a Hike!: Family Walks in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region (Trail Guidebooks) [Paperback]

Richard E. Freeman (Author), Susan J. Freeman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Trail Guidebooks | Publication Date: July 1999

The walks, rambles, strolls, and hikes in this book are designed for people who delight in exploring unique or little-known places. The trails lead through forests, fields, marshes, hills, and bogs where you can enjoy the natural world. This book will help you learn more about local history, get much-needed exercise, introduce your children to the joys of nature, or find new places to walk your dog. Don't stash it away in winter either. Many of the trails are good for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

With this guide, you'll be able to explore the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region with ease and confidence. Each of the 51 walks is rated for difficulty, type of terrain, and described by length and estimated time required. In addition, you'll know how to easily find the trails and parking. Whether young or young at heart, you can enjoy the adventures this guide brings to life.

Here's your chance to: * Walk the land where Seneca Indians initiated an annual ring of fire around Canandaigua Lake * Explore waterfalls in spectacular shale glens formed by centuries of water erosion * Learn what botanists see when they walk through an old growth forest * Experience a living bog

Editorial Reviews

Review

Grab the kids and hit the trails. "Take A Hike" and "Take Your Bike" have taken the guesswork out of planning, so you can pick a destination and head out on (almost) a moment's notice. The only things you'll need to remember are the snacks and these guidebooks. -- Beth Pessin, Genesee Valley Parent

If you enjoy getting out and learning more about the area, "Take A Hike" and "Take Your Bike" will be nice additions to your bookshelf. -- Gary Fallesen, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Many guidebooks try to give an accurate account of the trails and regions they cover, but few do so as well as these. The trails are listed by region and length, so finding just the right trail for any occasion is a snap. Every trail has clear directions on how to find it, along with a wealth of useful information such as whether or not pets are allowed, a very down-to-earth difficulty rating, and even where to find a scoop of ice cream along the way. -- Gus Schick, Ithaca Times

The books ("Take A Hike" and "Take Your Bike"), which are essentially guidebooks, fill a badly needed niche. While our little section of New York has an abundance of trails and places to hike and bike, there really have not been any comprehensive guidebooks to turn to for ideas and direction. The authors noticed this need and decided to fill it themselves. -- Gus Schick, Ithaca Times

The softcover companion books ("Take A Hike" and "Take Your Bike") are an enormous resource for hiking and biking trails in the region, allowing readers to pick and choose from a short but picturesque 20-minute hike at Moss Lake to a five-hour walk along the Erie Canal trail from Port Byron to Jordan in Cayuga County. The books also list helpful hints, like the type of terrain, degree of difficulty and clothing and food advice, as well as a map of each area. -- Marcia Morphy, Canandaigua Daily Messenger

Two beautifully prepared, thorough and easy-to-read guidebooks ("Take A Hike" and "Take Your Bike") landed on our desk this month. Both books encourage families to enjoy area trails for safe, inexpensive and educational outings. The trails can be used for hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, cross-country skiing, and dog walking. -- Michelle Miller, Western NY Family

About the Author

Rich and Sue Freeman once masqueraded as corporate executives. In 1996 they turned their backs on the long hours, high pay, and empty feeling to spend six months walking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. This trek changed their lives forever. Since returning to civilized life, they've sold their house, written and published 5 books on hiking and biking trails around western and central New York State and Ontario, Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Footprint Pr (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965697495
• ISBN-13: 978-0965697491
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very informative book!, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Take a Hike!: Family Walks in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region (Trail Guidebooks) (Paperback)

It lists difficulty of trails and whether bikes, horses, and pets are welcome. Appears well researched and gives accurate directions and descriptions of the area.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for an exceptional book, October 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Take a Hike!: Family Walks in the Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region (Trail Guidebooks) (Paperback)

Thank you Rich & Sue! Your book saved us from getting completely lost. My best friend and I took our kids on a hike at Hi Tor - we took the Conklin Gully Trail. If we had not had your book with us, we wouldn't have had a clue where to go, and would probably have had 4 to 6-hour hike, which we would have been totally unprepared for.

Your book is exceptionally well organized and well written. I only have the Take A Hike! Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley Region, but I will be getting others. I also have a lot of friends who love to hike and bike and will be recommending your books to them.

Keep up the good work. With this quality of work I hope your book is selling well. I also hope that you will be able to publish similar books for widespread geographic regions.
Malcolm Gillespie