Escape to Paradise

Whether travelling by automobile, train or canoe, one day soon, Wi-Fi will blanket every inch of the planet and travellers will access a worldly, affordable cloud of information that advises on every decision of a journey. But until that day, we rely on guidebooks. Here are 5 fresh ones from five trusted sources: Well organized, well-written way-finders for exploring the coast, Canada's wild places and America's Mother Road. They make terrific gifts.

About 150 years ago, much of Canada, the world's second-largest country in area, was an unexplored wilderness. Historian Pierre Burton explains: "Three-quarters of the population lived in comparative isolation on farms," and the condition of roads "made extended travel nearly impossible." Travel on lakes and rivers was limited too, since these would be frozen for up to five months of the year.

Bill Mason, a famous canoeist, added another dimension to canoeing when he said: "A journey by canoe along ancient waterways is a good way to rediscover our lost relationship with the natural world and the Creator who put it all together so long ago." Many would heartily agree with that and canoeing has become popular in Canada as a form of recreation and a way to escape to paradise.

Although an increased use of the automobile and airplane have led to a decline in passenger travel by rail, the railroad remains the primary mode of travel to some Canadian communites in the far north. Still many people enjoy escaping the bustle of 21st-century life by boarding a comfortable train and taking in the beautiful scenery.

This is the first-ever complete guide to Canada's 42 national parks and four national marine conservation areas - and the official guidebook for the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada.

This photo appears thanks to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Steve Amatrup and Creative Commons.Org.

Have you experienced the exhilarating sensation of breathing crisp, fresh mountain air? The lower temperature of the air is one explanation for this sensation. But where there are no cities nearby, mountain air can also be clearer and cleaner.

The vine journo who wrote about the Okanagan wine scene before most afecionados even knew there was one brings his tastevin to the rainforest. So, heads up: Mediterranean microclimates in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island have spawned some decent grape growing and an intriguing cast of determined vinters.

This photo appears thanks to Agne27 and Creative Commons.org.

We have beautiful turquoise, unpolluted lakes where swimming is encouraged and the warm beaches are inviting all summer long.

Come winter we have 3 skiing hills where you can test your abilities in powder snow or relax in the plush lounge and watch others play. These same mountain resorts offer hiking experiences during the summer months. Have a nice easy day if you like. Take a gondola ride to the top of the mountain, eat your picnic lunch and walk down. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking!

The ultimate '50s America kitsch roadtrip begins in Chicago and ends 4,000 km west in L.A., following a delisted highway that was once the asphalt of choice for Depression-ara Dust Bowl refugees. Bobby Troup (who wrote the song Get Your Kicks on Route 66) and the producers of TV's Route 66.

This image was originally posted to Flickr by Sideshow Bruce at http://flickr.com/photos/19752067@N00/4579764500 licensed under the terms of the cc-by-2.0.

Fed up with the cold winter and want to go somewhere just a bit warmer? Why not try Route 66?

I have not posted a very nice picture here but believe me, there are a lot of really pretty spots on that highway and an abundance of history.

From the Fraser Valley to the Islands. Turn off the GPS lady and crack open Liz Bryan's third book on freewheeling scenic routes.

This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Skookum1 at the wikipedia project.

The mountains in the Fraser Canyon loom far above the road as seen in this photo.

The mountains do appear blue at certain times of the day. No doubt you'll see deer but you may see moose, bear, coyotes, racoons and even rabbits. What an adventure you can have!

Long-time Georgia Straight outdoor columnist Jack Christie has updated his eminently handy, regional hike, bike, and picnic guide with new maps and dog-friendly park details.

What a beautiful village, Whistler. The flowers bloom riotously in the summertime. The hills are blanketed with huge patches of yellow, blue, red, purple and the many other colors of alpine blossoms. It is lovely! A photographers paradise.

I probably don't need to tell you what takes place there in the winter. Well, last year the Winter Olympics were held there. So pretty much everything one wishes to do whether skiing, snowboarding, skating, sledding is there for the doing. Take your pick.

This photo appears thanks to Philippe Giabbanelli and Creative Commons.org.

Do you want to get away but don't know where to go or what to do? These guidebooks will help you find a paradise to escape to in the near future and also to prepare for it.

~ Perhaps a Canadian paradise in the summer and a more southerly route (66) this winter.

Happy travelling!

LaraineRose