Mountain Harmonies: Walking the Western Wildernesses

Get out of town and out of your car; pay attention to the natural world around you. The experience can be unforgettable. That simple message is the theme of this love letter to the wild American West. Howard L. Smith's enthusiastic accounts of his trailside adventures will make you want to take the day off and enjoy your own harmony with the wilderness.

Most of the experiences Smith shares took place in New Mexico and Colorado, with some in Wyoming, Montana, and the Pacific Northwest. Some happened deep within wilderness areas, but most unfolded near easily accessible trails and campsites. One need not be in good physical condition to follow in Smith's footsteps. Light walking or mobility through use of a wheelchair are the only requirements.

Although Mountain Harmonies is not a guidebook, it suggests enticing possibilities for expeditions and road trips. Give it to friends to show them how easy it is to enjoy the outdoors. Use it to plan your next weekend trip. Read it afterward to recall the magic of the wilderness and the creatures that inhabit it.