Edward Gertler

This book is in a class by itself. Most similar books mix subjects – a bit of hiking, biking and paddling, or if they’re devoted just to paddling, a bit of history, field guide, travel tips, etc. – all good information but reducing the space for and focus on the primary subject. This book covers far more streams, rivers, etc., in MD and DE than any other and provides much more useful information about paddling them, e.g. gradient, difficulty (class of rapids, if any), distance, time, stream width, quality of scenery, potential hazards, when water conditions are appropriate, gauge locations and readings that are appropriate, put in and take out locations and more. And it has a wealth of excellent maps drawn specifically for kayaking and canoeing. It’s well written, and by someone who’s almost certainly more knowledgeable on the subject than anyone.

My copy’s full of bookmarks and post-its and has been all over MD with me. Thanks to this author I’ve discovered some really wonderful paddling spots I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, and I’ve been much better informed about the rest. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to paddle around MD. The author’s written similar books for PA and NJ, which I’ll probably get if only for armchair paddling in the winter. I only wish he’d write an equivalent book on VA.
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