All of the thrills with none of the spills. Praise for Kevin Callan's The Happy Camper : "Comprehensive, easy-to-read... [Cal/an] displays the assurance and economy of a true woodsman, and applies humor as well." - San Francisco Chronicle This colorfully illustrated, highly entertaining, truly informative sequel to The Happy Camper looks at why people love the wilderness and how everyone from rugged canoe-trippers to family car-campers can derive more enjoyment from their time outdoors. This is the perfect book for those who love camping except for "that one part" (which may be packing, portaging, bugs, bad weather, second-rate food, sleeping bags, rocks, uphill hikes, downhill tumbles, tippy canoes, life without a toilet or, let's face it, other campers). With his trademark mix of comic timing and expertise, veteran guide Kevin Callan reveals the secrets to smooth paddling and pleasure-filled camping. Topics include: Choosing and planning the right trip - Camping companion harmony - Best camping equipment, gadgets and clothing - Sleeping softly on hard ground - Traveling light but eating well - Bush martinis and other wilderness spirits - Close encounters of the wildlife kind - Campside saunas, skinny-dipping, and how to make love in a canoe. Wilderness Pleasures is a practical and humorous guide to spending pleasurable time in the outdoors... Callan mixes comic tales with expertise, revealing the secrets to camping companion harmony, how to sleep softly on the ground, bush martinis and last, but certainly not least, how to make love in a canoe (apparently there are six steps)...lt's all packaged in a colourful picture-packed 238-page paperback, which makes for an entertaining read. -- Emma Gilchrist ― The Calgary Herald Published On: 2008-10-16 Most how-to books lack a sense of humor....That isn't the case with this slightly whacked book offering all sorts of information on camping...Some great little sidebars add to the fun... All of these little touches, coupled with good color photography and the author's great sense of humor, make this book a step above the average how-to guide. ― The Salt Lake Tribune Published On: 2008-09-14 The latest book from one of Explore's contributing editors shows there's much more to camping than just baked beans and bug bites. ― Explore (Toronto) Published On: 2008-10-31 Kevin Callan walks a fine line between the must-be-miserable-in-the-wilderness crowd and those that love their guilty pleasures.... He wants readers to have the experience while still feeling comfortable, and for the most part he manages to walk the line. -- Sharon Wootton ― Washington Herald Published On: 2008-12-06 Callan's newest book does not disappoint. It is funny, informative and makes for good reading if you are a camper who aspires to leave the car behind... "Wilderness Pleasures' has tips for experienced trippers, but is most geared for introductory and intermediate wilderness campers. It is more discussion than dissertation, more playful than profound.... Outdoor prudes may want a little fan to cool themselves. Most others will find Callan's humor and expertise a true pleasure to read. -- Howard Meyerson ― Grand Rapids Press Published On: 2008-10-31 [Callan] likes canoeing and he likes camping, and he's put together a helpful book of advice that will benefit anyone who wants to spend time outdoors.... His tips on what to pack and what's worth investing in are excellent, and the recipes for camp cooking alone are worth the price of the book.... Novice or veteran traveller in the bush, you can benefit from Callan's helpful and practical advice. -- Linda Turk ― Chronicle-Journal (Thunder Bay) Published On: 2008-08-10 Kevin Callan is the author of 11 books, including The Happy Camper and the popular A Paddler's Guide series. A key speaker at major North American canoeing and camping expos for 20 years, he is the recipient of three National Magazine awards and four film awards, including top award at the prestigious Waterwalker Film Festival. Callan lives in Peterborough, Ontario, birthplace of the modern-day canoe. Introduction I went along to iron out the wrinkles in my soul . -- Omond Solandt I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WRITING ABOUT THE UNPLEASANTNESS and discomforts of camping -- stories of biting insects, nuisance bears and bad weather. I'm not sure exactly why. For some reason they're always the first tales to be told when I return from a trip. I guess, truth be told, misadventures usually make for better narratives. But what gets me out there in the first place, and what keeps me going out, is definitely not the discomfort. The pleasures of wilderness travel have always been the main attraction for me and, I have to assume, except for a few masochists, the same goes for most other campers out there. There are many ways to get comfortable out there without spoiling the experience. That's the reason behind this book. I thought the time was due for me to highlight th