Take a Paddle: Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks [Paperback]

Rich Freeman (Author), Sue Freeman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Take a Paddle | Publication Date: March 1, 2004

A Comprehensive Paddling Guide to Flat-Water Ponds, Lakes, Streams and Rivers in the Finger Lakes Region of New York

Slide the bow of your canoe or kayak across the shore of a grass-lined pond or the gravel shore of a stream. Dip your paddle into the cool, still water and glide downstream to enjoy the solitude and explore hidden pools and alcoves. Perhaps circumnavigate an island, see eagles flying above, voyage through a historic Erie Canal aqueduct, enjoy the splash of fish darting below your boat or spot a deer standing in the creek around the next bend. The discoveries are almost endless from water level.

Take a Paddle – Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks is a map-filled guide for beginning and intermediate paddlers. And for anyone who enjoys the pleasures of a flat-water paddle. It will lead you to 35 ponds and small lakes and over 370 miles of streams and rivers.

Head out for a fun adventure knowing:
-where multiple launch and take-out sites are located
-the difficulty level of each waterway
-where to view current water conditions on the Internet
-the approximate time it will take to paddle
-amenities and fun diversions found nearby for yourself and your children
-where to camp next to or near the waterway
-when is the best season to paddle each waterway
-where to rent canoes or kayaks
-where to find commercial shuttle services

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rich and Sue Freeman, decided to make their living from what they love-being outdoors. In 1996 they left corporate jobs to spend six months hiking 2,200 miles on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. That adventure deepened their love of the outdoors and inspired them to share this love by introducing others to the joys of hiking.

Since most people don't have the option (let alone the desire) to undertake a six-month trek, they decided to focus on short hikes near home. The result was the first edition of "Take A Hike! Family Walks in the Rochester Area." They went on to explore hiking, bicycling, skiing, and snowshoeing trails, waterfalls and now waterways for paddling throughout central and western New York State. They have written 10 guidebooks.

Rich and Sue are active members of several area outdoors groups. In addition, their passion for adventure continues. They have hiked the 500-mile-long Bruce Trail in Ontario, Canada, hiked on the Florida Trail, hiked across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago Trail and hiked a 500-mile section of the International Appalachian Trail in Quebec, Canada. They have trekked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Recently (in addition to kayaking hundreds of miles of New York's waterways), they hiked the tropical forests and volcanic peaks of wild Hawaii. On bicycles they have crossed New York State on the Erie Canalway Trail and pedaled the C&O Canal Trail from Washington D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland.

The Freemans regularly present slide shows about their adventures. For the current schedule see Event Schedule. They also publish a free, monthly electronic newsletter on outdoor recreation in central and western New York State.

Since beginning their new careers writing and publishing guidebooks, the Freemans have pared down their living expenses and are enjoying a simpler lifestyle. They now have control of their own destiny and the freedom to head into the woods and waterways for a refreshing respite when the urge strikes. Still, their life is infinitely more cluttered than when they carried all their worldly needs on their backs for six months on the Appalachian Trail.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Footprint Press, Inc. (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930480245
• ISBN-13: 978-1930480247
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #968,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure > Kayaking
  • #73 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure > Canoeing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful guide for paddlers, October 20, 2006

By 

B. E. Watts (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Take a Paddle: Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks (Paperback)

As soon as I got a kayak this summer, I bought both this book and the "Take a Paddle" for western New York. This region is a great place to put a little boat in the water--with lakes of all sizes, from little kettleholes to the Great Lakes, plus streams, and rivers, and the Erie canal. It really helps to have a guide to tell you where you can put in and take out, the difficulty of a route, how to get there and where to park.
These books are well designed and easy to use. I've tried out several routes and found the information very useful. Can hardly wait to get out and try more paddles next spring.

5.0 out of 5 stars our paddling bible, September 3, 2011

By 

Finger lakes paddler - See all my reviews

This review is from: Take a Paddle: Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks (Paperback)

We have been paddling in the finger lakes for three years now. We bought this book when we bought our kayaks. I wouldn't take a paddle without first consulting this book. Excellent accurate descriptions. We just finished the Corning to Elmira paddle. Saw bald eagles,blue Herron and osprey, just as the book predicted. This book is a must for folks new to paddling.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book review, January 27, 2010

By 

Eric B. Meyers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Take a Paddle: Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks (Paperback)

This book was in NEW condition when I recieved it. Packed well, shipped promptly. The content is just what I was looking for.