Softcover

ISBN 10: 0989199614 ISBN 13: 9780989199612

Publisher: North Country Books, 2014

No adventure could be bigger than hiking across the entire Adirondack Park via the 235-mile Trans Adirondack Route. In History Inside the Blue Line, hiker and historian Erik Schlimmer tells the stories behind all 125 named features the Trans Adirondack Route meets during its course, from Calamity Brook, to Big Eddy, to Good Luck Lake and beyond. Some stories behind the names are innocuous, like Fall Stream, which hosts a series of waterfalls, while Chazy Lake involves the murder of a French Army lieutenant. "That's the amazing thing we can realize," Erik recounts.  "Every named feature you see in the Adirondacks - every ridge, swamp, valley, pond, and pass - has its own story to tell."

About the Author:

Erik Schlimmer is the author of Thru Hiker's Guide to America (2005), Blue Line to Blue Line (2013), History Inside the Blue Line (2014), and My Adirondacks (2015). He has also written for national periodicals including Canoe and Kayak, Mountain Biking Magazine, and National Geographic Adventure. As a former educator for the State University of New York, Erik is three-time recipient of this university system's Merit Award for Teaching and their Outstanding Instructor of the Year Award. An accomplished adventurer, he has hiked more than 10,000 miles, mountain biked more than 10,000 miles, climbed 1,500 peaks, and slept outside more than 1,000 nights.

Review:

"If only every guidebook came equipped with a geographical encyclopedia as full of wit, wisdom, and good plain fun. I only wish it had been around when I was researching the Adirondacks."~ Paul Schneider, author of The Adirondacks

"The origins of place names eventually disappear unless someone like Erik Schlimmer actually takes the time to do the research and write a book.  Generations that follow us across the Adirondack Mountains will have to appreciate his effort."~ Dick Anderson, founder and president of the International Appalachian Trail

"History Inside the Blue Line offers complete history.  For those who enjoy the backcountry and backpacking through the wilds, New York's Trans Adirondack Route is a great addition to your adventure resume." ~ Chad Pepau, vice president of the Cohos Trail Association