Take a Paddle: Western 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 Western 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 search for pitcher plants in a sphagnum moss bog, watch fish dart 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 – Western 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 20 ponds and small lakes and over 250 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: 224 pages
• Publisher: Footprint Press, Inc. (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930480237
• ISBN-13: 978-1930480230
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,034,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Covers more than 250 miles of flat-water creeks and rivers, May 3, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

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

Take A Paddle: Western New York Quiet Water For Canoes & Kayaks is a comprehensive, superbly presented, specialized guide for canoe and kayaking enthusiasts. Detailing multiple launch and take-out sites; identifying waterway difficulty levels; providing approximate times to paddle from one point to another; noting amenities and fun diversions suitable for families with children; showing where to camp; what the best season for paddling each waterway; even where to rent canoes or kayaks or find commercial shuttle services, Take A Paddle: Western new York Quite Water For Canoes Kayaks covers more than 250 miles of flat-water creeks and rivers, as well as 20 ponds and lakes. Included are Livingston, Monroe, Steuben, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans, and Niagara counties.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding work, July 1, 2006

By 

Thomas T. Verga (Staunton, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

My wife and I bought this book and our canoe in the same week.
Coincidence? I don't think so. This book overs families a great chance to get outside and share time together.
The rating system is outstanding and the directions are great.
This is the type of book that screams out for a second volumn I would gladly volunteer to be a guest contributor should the authors ever decide to do a second volumn.