Chris Santella - Fifty Places to Camp Before You Die

This book is for my girls, Cassidy, Annabel, and Deidre, and the many fun nights we have spent in our humongous L.L.Bean tent.

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Contents

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RECOMMENDED BY VICKIE CARSON

RECOMMENDED BY GREG BLANCHETTE

RECOMMENDED BY CHARLIE JACOBI

RECOMMENDED BY LIZ DAVIS

RECOMMENDED BY MIKE HARRELSON

RECOMMENDED BY TRACY McINTYRE

RECOMMENDED BY HEIN TRUTER

RECOMMENDED BY STEPHEN BOHANNON

RECOMMENDED BY KARIN TATE

RECOMMENDED BY HUGH AND PAM MYTTON

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Far removed from any human settlements, the Owyhee Canyonlands in southeastern Oregon make a fine spot for stargazing... and enjoying a campfire.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book would not have been possible without the generous assistance of the outdoor enthusiasts who shared their time and experience to help bring these fifty great camping venues to life. To these men and women, I offer the most heartfelt thanks. I also wish to acknowledge the fine efforts of my agent, Stephanie Kip Rostan, my editors Samantha Weiner and Michael Clark, assistant editor Zachary Knoll, designer Anna Christian, and copyeditor David Blatty, who helped bring the book into being. Finally, I want to extend a special thanks to my wife, Deidre, and my daughters, Cassidy and Annabel, with whom Ive enjoyed many fine camping adventures (even though they tend to bring a few more accoutrements than I might pack)... and to my parents, Tina and Andy Santella, who have not pitched a tent for at least sixty years but have always encouraged me to pursue my passions.

FOREWORD

A mentor once told me, Measure the quality of each year by the number of nights you camp out. Understand this sage campfire wisdom, and you will know theres something transcendent about leaving lifes walls and ceilings behind to become immersed in nature; be it to defrag the mental hard drive by staring at the stars, or to calm oneself by the flow of a wild river, our senses simply become more in tune when we take a break from everyday civilization. In our topsy-turvy world, camping is a surefire way to regain your center.

Whether on a juniper-scented red rock mesa, in a bison-speckled national park, by an alpine mirror lake or a wave-salted shoreline, superlative camp spots come in a variety of flavors. There are so many attributes that distinguish a serviceable campsite from a brilliant bivouac. And sometimes, if youre willing to explore, youll find them in the least expected places.

While some seek peace and tranquility, others look for a basecamp to adventure. Whether your camp implements of choice are a folding chair and good book, or perhaps a fishing rod, mountain bike, or canoe; whether a single, couple, or family reunion... theres a prime camp spot out there, waiting just for you.

This book is titled Fifty Places to Camp Before You Die, and let me remind you: None of us know when were heading off for the dirt nap. Therefore, regardless of your age or the vigor of your vital signs, I suggest you get busy. Use this book as a guide and/or a must do tick list. And, if youre really on your game, youll soon have fifty more of your own self-vetted recommendations to suggest to Chris for the next edition of this book.

So, how many nights will you camp this coming year?

MIKE HARRELSON, FREE RANGE JOURNALIST

INTRODUCTION

At no time in history have human beings been so far removed from the natural world. In America alone, nearly 81 percent of the population now lives in an urban area. Its no wonder that many of us suffer from what writer Richard Louv termed nature deficit disorder in his 2005 book, Last Child in the Woods.

Camping provides an opportunity to take on nature deficit disorder directly. To retreat from the trials of day-to-day life to a simpler existence. To refuel and reinvigorate amongst the wonders of nature, be it at the seashore, in the mountains, or in the desert.

I wrote Fifty Places to Camp Before You Die for those who appreciate the chance to experience the great outdoors with family, with friends... or all by themselves.