Taking a trip? Grab a travel book

The Associated Press | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

July 22, 2008

OAKLAND, Calif. - Lonely Planet, the guidebook publishing company, is relaunching its series on national parks with four books: Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks; Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks; Grand Canyon National Park; and Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks.

New in the $20 paperbacks are chapters on "Kids & Pets," with recommendations for family hikes, kennel listings and descriptions of where you are allowed to hike with your dog. New chapters on "Clothing & Equipment" offer checklists of what gear to bring and listings for outfitters where you can rent bikes or boats, hire guides and stock up on essentials.

In addition to maps, photos, itineraries, lists of hikes of varying difficulty, campground descriptions and climate charts, the books also include tips on volunteering and advice for women traveling solo.

In the Yellowstone guide, authors Bradley Mayhew and Carolyn McCarthy note that "dawn and dusk are the only times for serious wildlife-watchers. Get to the most popular turnouts early, as they fill up quickly in summer." But, they add that "driving the Grand Loop almost guarantees you a view of bison and elk."