A useful guide with great pictures. I recommend it to anyone skiing the backcountry in the norhtwest.

Oregon Descents is the best guide to the area for skiers and boarders. All the classic peak descents are here and a few great stashes too. The aerial photos offer excellent perspective while the route descriptions hold all the info you need to know. This book inspires confidnece - It is obvious the author has actually skied the routes!

The book is extreamly well writen and inspires confidance. I've used the book more than once to organize a backcoutry tele trip with friends and they are always impressed with the routes we take. And the pictures are wonderful.

"That Ribbon of Highway" wonderfully captures the memory of those times when travel along "the Main Street of California" was indeed an adventure. It takes the reader back to a time before Interstate 5 made travel through the state a matter of speeding from origin to destination, with the only experience with the outside world involving, say, a quick stop at the drive-through window at yet another stamped-out McDonald's. As the author points out, of the three major north/south highways in California, Highway 101 may have been more romantic, Highway 395 more mysterious, but it was Highway 99 that truly served as "the peoples' highway," and thus is arguably more important in a historical scope.

I like this book a lot. The author and photographer have lovingly captured the historical spirit of Highway 99. I give it four stars instead of five only because I don't want to build the expectations of this book too much. It isn't a big, coffee table-sized tome filled with large glossy full-color photos and expansive essays. Rather, it's more a small, "night stand" sized volume, with black and while photos and brief treatments of the various points of interest along the stretch of the highway between the Oregon border and Sacramento. However, the modest format of the book compliments memories of those pre-Interstate 5 days more adeptly than would a Time/Life version of the subject; it goes gentle on the memories of our hearts by bringing them to the fore, rather than revising them with someone else's vision.

For those readers who treasure the memories of a time when travel by road seemed a richer, more colorful experience, I heartily recommend "That Ribbon of Highway." It's a little book with lots of heart and soul. HJ

"Society for Commercial Archeology Journal," Spring 2000. For those of you unfamiliar with the West Coast, Highway 99 is the principal historic highway that knitted together the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Portions of it were known early on as the Pacific Highway or the Valley Route or the Golden State Highway. However, in 1928 these various bits were sewn together and given federal designation as US 99. Despite de-designation as a US highway in 1964, Highway 99 continued to play a prominent role in western transportation. Jill Livingston and Kathryn Maloof have compiled a two-volume guide to the history and sights of Highway 99 in California. Each book, half-sheet size and paperbound, provides a general summary of the road's history and a detailed description of features along the existing road organized geographically from north to south. Both offer an extensive photographic tour of the respective route sections, as well as sections devoted to detailed maps that outline the route and provide directions on how to access often-bypassed elements or road alignments. There are generous graphics and photos throughout. I may be a biased reviewer of this topic. I grew up on Highway 99 just south of Sacramento and enjoy mostly fond and entirely vivid memories of this road. I have muddled memories of passing objects from car to car while careening down the Grapevine toward Metler, CA to rescue a friends' stranded vehicle. I also remember with fresh horror as I watched my record collection of 250 albums melt in 100+ degree heat while broken down on that same wretched hill in 1983. Livingston and Maloof have brought it all back for me. I pine for chicken dinner at Pollardville and an orange freeze at the Mammoth Orange. I mourn the passing of the Blueberry Hill Café in Chowchilla, and am startled to see a picture of the theater where I saw my first genuine rock concert in 1975. The authors have peppered their text with sidebars of interest to one and all. The evolution of the Ridge Route and disappearing/reappearing highway under Shasta Reservoir are two of my favorites. The organization of the books is clear and easy to follow; the photos are beautiful and plenty. The text is well written and enjoyable, not bogging down in non-essential detail or excess verbiage. These books are just the ticket for roadside exploration off the beaten track in the Golden State.

Living Gold Press has published a two volume regional history and guidebook collaboration by Jill Livingston and Kathryn Golden Maloof focusing on California U.S. 99, a highway that extends from the Mexican Border to the Oregon Border. That Ribbon Of Highway I: Highway 99 From The Oregon Border To The State Capital presents historically informative and engaging text by Jill Livingston that is splendidly enhanced by Kathryn Maloofs photography as well as line drawn maps, community vignettes, descriptions of key bridges, and landmark sites. Also highly recommended is the companion book, That Ribbon Of Highway II: Highway 99 From The State Capital To The Mexican Border.

Stefanie Canfield is trying to adjust to the hard changes her life has thrown at her recently, including a divorce and the death of her mother. When the mill she co-owns with her ex burns to the ground, she finds herself in the unpleasant position of being a suspect.

Ryan Harrison never wanted to return to Julesburg, but his job as arson investigator brings him back. The only bright spot is a reunion with childhood friend Stefanie. But their relationship becomes strained when she finds out what his job is. The fact that he is trying to bring her back to God doesn't seem to be helping. When she is accused of murder, however, all bets are off.

This is an intriguing book that is equal parts mystery and romance. The author does a good job of balancing the two elements. As a die hard mystery reader, I felt the mystery aspect was a little weaker then it could have been. The first chapter is a little rough while giving us the background we need to understand the characters. However, these two elements only dampened my enjoyment slightly. I got so caught up in the story and characters that I couldn't put the book down. The spiritual sub-plot felt natural and added another layer to an already engrossing book.

Christian fiction fans rejoice! There's something in this wonderful book for everyone. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Stefanie Canfield is just trying to move on with her life. Her husband left her for his mistress and is currently flaunting her all over town. But Stefanie is nothing if not a survivor. She has opened a small gym and enjoys spending time with her new best friend Val.

Until the fourth of July. Stefanie is uncomfortable when she sees her ex-husband Hunter with his new fiancé Trisha. But things go from uncomfortable to horrible when the mill that Hunter and Stefanie still own together, burns to the ground...and Stefanie is one of the main suspects.

Ryan Harrison is an arson investigator sent to Julesburg to investigate the mill fire. It's hard for him to return to Julesburg because he had lived there when he was in junior high. The only good memory he has is of his friend Stefanie, so he hopes to look her up while he is in town. But Ryan is shocked and dismayed when he discovers that his friend Stefanie is the prime suspect.

Stefanie knows she didn't do the arson, but is suspicious that her ex-husband could be trying to frame her. But things get even worse when a body is located in the mill. Then another resident is found murdered and Stefanie is again the main suspect. Ryan and Stefanie don't know what to do. They are finally having a chance at a relationship together, but something or someone is trying to put Stefanie away in jail.

Lorena McCourtney has written a sweet romance with an intriguing mystery that will keep you turning the pages to find out who done it. I look forward to reading the rest of the Julesburg inspirational romantic mystery series, just so I can stay involved in the goings on of this small town. If you're in the mood for a feel good book with a bit of mystery, pick up a copy of Whirlpool today

Arson investigator Ryan Harrison recalls his childhood friend Stefanie Canfield's glint of mischief and rebelliousness with affection. But that look has been replaced by shadows and disillusionment because she has lost faith in her God, in marriage, and in herself. He returns to the small town of Julesburg to investigate the suspicious burning of the town's plywood mill. Proving arson would earn him a nice promotion. Ryan had no idea that his childhood friend in an equal partner in the company. Now duty must come before friendship, even if the investigation opens a chasm between them that friendship can scarcely span.

Stefanie's marriage resembled a business merger more than it did a union of hearts. Hunter's initial displays of interest stunned the "Porky Princess", despite her subsequent weight loss. Now the owner of the Fit 'n' Fun health club, this svelte divorcee still bears the scars of her marriage, her husband's cheating with Trish, and her rejection in favor of the "other woman". With her ex-husband's carefully constructed alibi in place, suspicion falls on Stefanie when arson is proven at the plywood mill. The financial problems surrounding the mill provide adequate motivation, and a lack of an alibi provides opportunity.

Stephanie endears the false accusations of arson even when the insurance investigator turns out to be her childhood friend. But when her nemesis appears in public wearing her mother's necklace, Stefanie reacts. Unfortunately, stress brings about blackouts and Stephanie does not remember trying to snatch the necklace from Trish's neck. Witnesses recall every detail, however, when Trish later turns up dead. Stephanie believes she left Trish alive, but with her blackout episodes, even she is not absolutely certain of her innocence.

Stephanie's struggle to prove her innocence and to recover her spiritual beliefs provides a refreshingly human heroine in WHIRLPOOL, the first of The Julesburg Mysteries series. Stephanie could have too easily fallen into the trap of martyrdom given her ex-husband's treatment and the loss of her mother to cancer. Instead, she proves herself to be tenacious yet spiritually disillusioned, strong yet capable of foolish choices. With maturity and insight, Stephanie confronts the challenges of struggling with injustice and self-doubt. Moreover, author Lorena McCourtney includes inspirational touches and spiritual struggles without a heavy hand that could detract from the narrative; instead, the inspirational passages move the plot along as well as deepen the characterizations. WHIRLPOOL is a satisfying read appropriate for inspirational as well as mainstream readers, coming very highly recommended.

If you are interested in the day to day lives of women as they walked the Oregon Trail, you'll enjoy this book.

Susan Butruille has captured the feeling behind the women's hard covered exterior on the Oregon Trail. This book touched me deeplyin the way that I cried during reading of the book and thought about the book many times after reading it. I read this book in two days and since then have visioned it while living my life here in 2002. I have felt so much for the reallife women of the diaries in this book that I talked about it with my husband and simple things that used to get him or me in a tizzy before I read this book now seem so trivial and unimportant. I think that this book changed my life, the way I look at life in a way that I appreciate way more than I did before I read this book and think much about how wagon women would solve a problem that I have daily and if they would have had that problem (via computers or toasters) at all because everything was so much more primitive, necessary and simple YET hard and trying and exhausting back then.
In two words I have for anyone thinking about buying this book is PLEASE DO ..... it will enrich your life. It did Mine.

This is a poignant and moving book. It is well constructed. It addresses the daily activities, as well as the overall significance, of women on the Oregon Trail. The book weaves together (and is centered around) excerpts from diaries and other first hand writings. Hearing the stories from those who experienced the journey was an emotional and educational treat.

This book continues to be popular, as evidenced by the fact that it has been reprinted a number of times. Although written in 1979, this work continues to have appeal. Part of that appeal, as I indicated in the title of this review, is the pictures. This book has a wealth of beautiful black-and-white photos of artifacts that constitute and invaluable reference for both archaeologists and the general public. This is a great resource.

Ancient Modocs Of California And Oregon is the culmination of author Carrol Howe's 45 years of dedicated exploration and research into the ancient inhabitants of North America. Howe's search for new discoveries finally led him to California and Southeast Oregon. Extensive black-and-white photographs, accompanied by detailed commentary reveal the treasures he found. Ancient Modocs Of California And Oregon is superbly written and presented, investigative and analytic book and highly recommended for Native American reading lists and reference collections, as well as the non-specialist general reader with an interest in North America's first human inhabitants.

Story's first guidebook in the 'Bicycling America's National Parks' series (California) is an excellent all-around cycling guide (and general guidebook) for the Golden State. It's concise, thorough, and balanced, presented in personable, witty language. He includes a variety of road and mountain bike routes for virtually every riding level. His lodging, shopping, and especially dining suggestions are first rate. It includes almost all the information a would-be tourist (as I was) needs for a bicycling trip to CA. Story also throws in some nice tidbits about natural and cultural history of each park, as well as description of fauna and flora (plants and animals), and worthwhile less-known attractions.

This guide from Story features most of the same attributes as his previous guide. He includes a variety of rides that highlight the nearly infinite geographical and ecological diversity of Oregon and Washington. Once again, he includes abundant, but concise information and recommendations related to lodging and related travel info, presented in personable language (though he's not as consisently funny). As before, he provides a nice natural and historical background, serving to not just describe, but introduce the reader to each park (or recreational area).

There is one minor shortcoming, relative to Story's National Parks/California book. That guide contained abundant supplemental information related to dining and other special attractions within or near each park. While this guidebook has some info. of that nature, it seems much more sparse. This might be because many trails in Oregon and Washington are in fairly rural areas far from any major (or even minor) population center. This considered, this guidebook still doesn't seem as complete as his California edition, which provided that reader with virtually everything we'd need to plan our trip. This isn't to say this guide is poor, it just doesn't quite match up to the standards of Story's previous guide. Once again, it would be helpful if Story included a general map of each park (this was the only minor problem I had with his CA edition).

Even if it doesn't quite measure up to Story's California guide, Oregon/Washington is still far superior to most other cycling guidebooks available (even allowing for it's uniqueness). It's an indespensible tool for anyone planning a cycling trip to or near the national parks/recreational areas of Oregon and Washington. It's a perfect starting point, though you might want to research the areas more before heading out.

I purchased this book after reading a glowing review of it from the San Francisco Chronicle. I'm very glad I purchased it. This latest addition to the Bicycling America's National Parks series is informative, helpful, and truly captures the ambience of the different national parks it covers. It's not just national parks, but national recreation areas, and national monuments too, and you really get a sense of where the great bicycling opportunities are in places that also have national-caliber scenery and attractions. After reading the book, I'm definitely planning on using it for a Hells Canyon National Recreation Area trip later this summer. The chapters on Crater Lake, Olympic National Park, and Mount Saint Helens totally appealed to me, cause I've been to those places and wondered about biking there. The author does a great job of showing that the myth that you can't ride offroad in national parks is just that-- a myth. (All the rides are legal, though some do take place just outside park boundaries.) The book presents everything you need to know in a clear, often funny way. The pictures are great too. That's about all I ask from a guidebook.

Interesting, a great read for anyone interested in feminist psychology and/or how women are attracted to cults. I respect the author's careful discussion of her methods and her openess. Highly recommended.

Marion Goldman's Passionate Journeys is a great surprise! A friend gave it to me raving and I started reading it as a favor. It is a knockout! It captures an era and a phenomenon that has been a mystery to many of us and described a dynamic that could happen to many women tomorrow. It's a totally involving read and left me wondering if I was susceptible to joining a cult, even one which took a dramatic and bizarre and utterly fascinating turn as did the Rajneeshi cult. Don't miss this one.

A fascinating look at one of the least studied phenomenoms about religious movements and cults - why do they often draw women from privileged backgrounds. Is it guilt? Is there something about the priveliged lifestyle that makes these women crave something spiritual? Goldman shows that the answers aren't the ones that automatically come to mind, affected by early family experiences, vulnerability and a lack of solid identity - and even such subtle factors as where they live. I read this one in a single day, as I found it that compelling and helped me to understand why people I knew had joined cults.

This is a story about contemporary American Indian life around the Washington State and Oregon border. The author begins his acknowledgments by telling us "...this novel places fictional characters in actual places and against some historical events." The acknowledgments continue to reveal his considerable research into the history and anthropology of the Indians who live along the Columbia River, even as to the variation in pronunciation and spelling of certain Native American words from band to band. Indeed, the book reads as if many of the incidents, conflicts and jokes in the story are embellished recollections of actual events. Although billed as fiction, River Song is more a chronicle on the folklore and contemporary lifestyle of some Northwest Indians. I'll call it Indian Gonzo Journalism.

In River Song, you are going to read about the trials and tribulations of a people living in trailers or BIA housing, and who refer to The Treaty on occasion. They are stuck together by an ethnic bond, but in culture that allows them to con and cheat one another. These people know how to pronounce Tiskaatpama and Tsau-tsau; they might eat at Cimiyetti's restaurant or picnic in Happy Canyon or at Preacher's Point. Although the principal characters have common names like Danny, Jack, and Willis, you will also meet Iggy Two Medicine, Lucy Pretty Mink, and "one of the best-looking young women around Mission," who never wears a bra, called Trudy Two Sleeps, perhaps because her winnemucca has been here and there.

These people survive near the bottom rung of the ladder by rodeoing, picking fruit and fishing. They save the Segram's Seven for "Code Blue Emergencies." As migrant workers, Danny and Jack work along side illegal immigrants, Mexicans, who are the brunt of all their jokes.

River Song is not just about the economic struggle of a band of contemporary Native Americans. Mr. Lesley tells us something of their history, and their beliefs, about Steah-hah masks, Night Ghosts, Weyekin animal spirits, and the value of dentalia shells. Danny, the protagonist, has a vision of the Chinese Massacre of 1887 on the Snake River, an actual event. At first, Danny doesn't know the relevance of this vision, doesn't recognize the river, and is even uncertain as to whether the victims are Indians or Chinese with suntans. To sort it out, he consults Wauna the medicine woman and we learn how these people tame their ancestral spirits.

Being a Yankee raised amongst buttercups and maple trees, I also learned more than I ever wanted to know about the vegetation in Northern Oregon. Up there they have bunch grass, hackberry, klamath weeds, service berries, snake-biscuit, blue bachelor buttons, bitter brush, camas bulbs, lupine, cheat grass, balsam root, rock lilies, and bluebells, to name a few. Leslie Craig did teach me something valuable, though. Now I can to tell the difference between Indians and Chinese with suntans. The Indian is the one telling the Mexican joke.

"River Song" picks up where Lesley's previous novel, "Winterkill," left off. Unfortunately, it's not as strong as its predecessor, since some of the situations the characters become involved in seem a bit contrived. Lesley seems to resort to the device of suspense to keep the story going: early in the novel, the main character, Danny Kachiah, has a disturbing vision which he spends much of the novel trying to figure out by visiting, among other things, a medicine woman on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho. It seems that this whole aspect of the story was added just to tie in certain actual historical events and give the characters an excuse to travel about the countryside in Eastern Oregon and Idaho. Also, Danny eventually figures out where his vision took place, but Lesley never really explains how. In the hands of a lesser writer, this would have been grounds for tossing the book aside, but Lesley has such a talent for evoking place and time that it's hardly noticeable while you're reading. Thus, Lesley's engrossing style tends to gloss over these and other shortcomings, making "River Song" a very compelling tale. The other aspect of the story, the struggle of the Native Americans along the Columbia River to maintain their fishing rights and thereby preserve their traditions, is handled very well. In a very direct yet unassuming style, Lesley adeptly describes the frustations of the River People in dealing with the U.S. government, the local authorities, commerical fishing operations and sport fishermen and even windsurfers. As with "Winterkill," the characters in "River Song" are very believable, and you often find yourself thinking about them as real people - which attests to Lesley's talent as a top-notch writer.

A wonderful novel about the cultures and the rivers of the Pacific Northwest. This is one of my favorite novels. When I teach it, my students find that it changes the way they look at the world. Read it!

I enjoyed the book emensly. Very interesting perspective of day to day log and viewing it from the eye's of the heroine who has never seen such things before. Exposing the new country through her eyes and not filling in with geographical information made it seem as though you were along on the journey with her. For those who have been to some of the places like the Dalles, Farwell Bend and the three island crossing Idaho it makes it all the more colorful. I thought the biographical info in the appendix was great, but was a little dissappointed that the two main characters were left out. I hope another book is written to continue the heroines story. The book fairly defines what the term "pioneer spirit" was.

My wife was the first in our family to read this novel. She was enthralled with it, identifying well with the emphasis on a woman's perspective on this most difficult of journeys. When she finished it was my turn. What a treat. This novel is very enjoyable, and an easy read. While I admit to being particularly interested in the details of such a journey and the landscape as described by the author, I think most anyone would find it interesting. The scholar in the author is also evident by the research done to gather the material for the book. A day-by-day "log" was an interesting approach. It provided both the details of what was seen and what happened, it also gave the reader a sense of the length of the journey. About the time we got to the Snake River Plains, I tired of reading about yet one more day on the trail - then I realized how tired the travelers must have become, making the story of the journey more real for me. Additionally, it was easy to identify with the people, both Abbey and Jacob. Hope we get to learn more about their fate in the new land in a future book.

To begin with, the very comfortable spacing of print, and 12-point font, makes for easy reading. The story opens with interest, and holds one's attention page after page, until the unwanted end (I wanted the book to continue). Even the Appendices were interesting, especially Appendix A which I consulted regularly and with gratification. The story is just terrific, both as fiction, and I believe a great deal of non-fiction. The book gives the sense of utilizing episodes from many diaries and other sources. The characters, both fictitious and otherwise, are likeable as well as "human", and virtually all the development of scenes so credible. It's a nice, "clean" book-good for grandchildren in almost all respects.
I appreciate that the author did not try to fill in with information about the Oregon Trail that was learned after 1843; it made the story much more realistic. I read Western Passage with a road atlas, an Oregon topographic map, and a plastic, raised contour map. To my surprise, I learned a lot about our geography. The tale of their remarkable achievements is so vivid and yet so "daily" that it brings both the achievements and the natural humdrum of travel alive. This latter quality is rare in fiction, at least in interesting fiction. The writing is so clear and straight forward, and just plain readable, pleasant, and lively.
The details about all the supplies and equipment acquisitions, and organizational problems was fascinating, as well as that of the trail-breaking for wagons all the way along. It's hard to take in how numerous the people, wagons, and livestock were. One of the especially interesting features was the efforts emigrants made at organizing a trail government, and the vagaries through which it went. It had enough detail to make it real to the reader, but not so much that it took away from the momentum of the story and journey.
My husband and I are looking forward to getting copies for each of our descendant families. J. Newton

I thought this book was a beautiful book, but lack some information that is useful for those wanting to tour. The book is in order by geograhic location which is very useful and there is good information about the wineries, such as what they produce and a bit of history about the vineyards. But, I found it is not a great touring book. There is no mention of directions to the wineries, there are maps, but having done much wine touring in the Northwest directions are needed. There was also no hours of operation listed for any wineries, this would also be another useful piece of information for planning your tour. It would have also been nice to have some information about the area regarding hotel accomodations and food. My conclusion is if you are a Northwest wine lover, which we are, it is a great coffee table book.

This book offers all levels of wine lovers great information. While the geographically-organized chapters are heavy on trechnical topics, the author really tries to explain the reasons each area makes wine and what influences its taste, without talking down to the reader. It also makes a super resource for someone who seeks a touring guide. Every producer in each region is profiled, too, with comprehensive contact information, making planning a wine tour easy. The photos of both winemakers and vineyards are also wonderful. For anyone who loves NW wines or wants to understand them better, this book can't be beat.

I love this book. It has inspired to venture out to the Pacific Northwest and go on a tasting tour of my own.