This year has been one many of us would like to forget. Even so, one good thing that has come out of it is that people are spending more time with family at home and outside. Being in the great outdoors has a way of refreshing, recharging and making lasting memories, especially in these stressful times. A.K. Smiley Public Library has some new books that will assist with planning and making your time in the outdoors more enjoyable.
“See You at the Campground: A Guide to Discovering Community, Connection, and a Happier Family in the Great Outdoors,” by Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi will be especially useful to inexperienced campers. They also offer suggestions that will benefit more seasoned campers, as well. Included are packing lists for different types of trips, in addition to helpful tips such as finding out in advance the location and contact information for the nearest medical facilities, and how to build and properly extinguish a campfire. Did you know that dryer lint packed into a toilet paper tube and wrapped in newspaper makes a great fire starter? Another suggestion they make that is available through our library website, is to download the Libby App and some of our e-audiobooks to listen to on road trips. This thorough and fun book covers the why, what, when, where, and how of camping, whether it’s in a cabin, tent, or RV.
Some people opt to rent an RV for their travels as opposed to owning them. Regardless, “Good Sam North American RV Travel & Savings Guide,” published by Good Sam Enterprises, will be a valuable resource for hitting the road. There are over 12,000 RV parks, campgrounds, and services in the United States and Canada highlighted, along with the ratings, contact information, prices, and amenities. There are also spotlights of things to see and do on the way to your destination and in the area once you arrive.
Looking for recommendations on what to do in the great outdoors? Falcon Guides are informative and reliable resources. “Best Easy Day Hikes Palm Springs and Coachella Valley,” by Brett Grubbs, and “Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A Guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes,” by Liz Thomas and Justin Lichter, offer suggestions close to this area. The more adventurous might be interested in checking out Falcon Guides’ “Best Climbs Joshua Tree National Park: The Best Sport and Trad Routes in the Park,” by Bob Gaines. Rock climbing aficionados will also want to check out Chris Santella’s “Fifty Places to Rock Climb Before You Die: Climbing Experts Share the World’s Greatest Destinations.”
These selections and more are available through our Books to Go program. For more information, please check our website at www.akspl.org or call 909-798-7565.