Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area - Books

Folklife along the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River Benita J. Howell From the Publisher: Folklife along the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River records the history, lore, and lifeways of people who once occupied the land that became the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The National Park Service sponsored the research in 1979, just as former residents were being displaced from their homes, as a baseline survey for cultural heritage interpretation in the newly established recreation area. Through oral history interviews and historical records, ethnographic study of household economic strategies, and documentation of music, lore, old-time occupational skills, and handcraft traditions, this book recounts what life was like in the Big South Fork during the first half of the twentieth century, when the region’s agrarian economy was transformed by the timber and coal industries. This reconstruction of past lifeways provides the reader with a picture of this once-bustling area as it was prior to the Great Depression of the 1930s, and of the people who held fast to their customs as the area’s growth and industry declined.The original National Park Service technical report that forms the basis for this work also serves as a pioneering example of applied ethnography in the National Park System. This kind of research has become a recognized tool for national park planning and cultural resource interpretation over the past two decades. In a new introduction and postscript, Benita J. Howell places her work in historical context and updates the reader on the more recent development of the area.Visitors to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will find this a useful introduction to the area’s rich history and culture, while genealogists anddescendants of the inhabitants will discover a wealth of information about the region’s historic settlements. Social scientists will recover valuable insights into the cultural dimensions of environmental impact assessment along with a counter to conventional wisdom that tends to explain Appalachian culture in terms of either psychocultural or environmental determinism. Our Price: $27.95

Outdoor Guide to the Big South Fork: National River and Recreation Area Russ Manning From the Publisher: Located in Tennessee and Kentucky, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area boasts a diverse and dramatic landscape ideal for all types of outdoor activities. This newly updated guide includes information on the area’s geology, history, and wildlife, plus horseback riding, whitewater paddling, and backpacking. There’s also advice about accommodations and services, activities for children, universally accessible campgrounds and trails, and exploration by car. Our Price: $16.95

Exploring Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Todd S. Campbell From the Publisher: A long the Kentucky-Tennessee border lies the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, an outstanding destination for paddling, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, camping, and horseback riding. From scenic overlooks and exotic flora to historic towns and thrilling whitewater adventures, this area offers something for everyone. This guidebook shows you where to go and what to do to get the most out of your time in the Big South Fork. Our Price: $16.95

Hiking the Big South Fork Brenda G. Deaver From the Publisher: Hiking the Big South Fork combines natural history with folk culture and legend to provide an interpretive guide to the trails of this relatively new National Park Service area. The authors walked, measured, and rated every hiking trail, and, in this second edition, they include information about new trails. In addition, trail descriptions are updated with geological and historical information, a wildflower checklist, and a chart designed for backpackers to combine trails for longer hikes. The guide includes advice on safety, park rules and regulations, and accommodations. Trailhead locations, features of each trail, and difficulty ratings are included in an easy-to-read chart allowing hikers to select trails suited to their interests and abilities. Maps are supplemented by detailed mileage logs to keep hikers informed of their progress and to clarify points of confusion. Strollers, hikers, and backpackers looking for a less-crowded alternative to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will enjoy discovering the beautiful, rugged Big South Fork of the Cumberland River in Tennessee and Kentucky. Only a ninety-minute drive northwest of Knoxville, the big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is easily reached in half a day or less from Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta. Our Price: $14.95

Day and Overnight Hikes: Kentucky’s Sheltowee Trace Johnny Molloy From the Publisher: The master path of the great Bluegrass State, the Sheltowee Trace graces 282 miles of Kentucky hills and hollows. This path was the 100th designated federal national recreation trail and is named in honor of Daniel Boone. Sheltowee, meaning Big Turtle, was the name given to Boone when he was adopted into the Shawnee tribe as the son of the great war chief, Blackfish. While being pursued by the Shawnee, Boone hid beneath the waters of a creek, breathing through a reed "straw," thus earning his nickname. Hikers who tread this trail will be "following the turtle," a white turtle blazed on trees, from the trail’s southern terminus in Tennessee’s Pickett State Park, north through the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The trail continues through the length of the Daniel Boone National Forest nearly to the state of Ohio. Complete with detailed maps, elevation profiles, and detailed descriptions of the trail, author Johnny Molloy’s Day and Overnight Hikes: Kentucky’s Sheltowee Trace is the ultimate resource for all levels of hikers. Each day and overnight hike described provides valuable information such as trail length, condition, difficulty, and clear directions to the trailhead. Whether it’s a day hike along the Cumberland River, an overnight trip in the Daniel Boone National Forest, or an all-out assault on the entire 282 miles, all hikers will need and appreciate the first-hand information gathered and presented by Molloy.Complete with detailed maps, elevation profiles, and descriptions of every foot of the trail, author Johnny Molloy’s Hiking Guide to Kentucky’s Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail is the ultimate resource for hikers. Each trailsection profile provides valuable information such as trail length, condition, difficulty, use, and clear directions to the trailhead.Whether it’s a day hike along the Cumberland River, a week-long trek, or an all-out assault on the entire 282 miles, hikers will need and appreciate the first-hand information gathered and presented by Molloy. Our Price: $14.95

Day Trips from Nashville Susan Chappell From the Publisher: Enjoy a welcome change of pace and discover a world you may not know exists in your own backyard. Day Trips describes hundreds of fascinating, exciting (and many free of charge) things to do, most within a two-hour drive of Nashville. Tour the state’s oldest licensed winery and picnic on the grounds of Highland Manor Winery in Jamestown. Explore part of the 15-mile-long cave at Wonder Cave in Pelham. Trek through interesting plant life at Rocky City Gardens in Lookout Mountain. Each day trip includes travel directions, destination highlights, other places to visit along the way, choice restaurants and lodging (including price ranges), shopping, and much more. (5 1-2 x 8 1-2, 240 pages, maps) Our Price: $12.95

Day Trips from Nashville: Getaways Less than Two Hours Away Susan Chappell From the Publisher: Enjoy a welcome change of pace and discover a world you may not know exists in your own backyard. Day Trips describes hundreds of fascinating, exciting (and many free of charge) things to do, most within a two-hour drive of Nashville. Tour the state’s oldest licensed winery and picnic on the grounds of Highland Manor Winery in Jamestown. Explore part of the 15-mile-long cave at Wonder Cave in Pelham. Trek through interesting plant life at Rocky City Gardens in Lookout Mountain. Each day trip includes travel directions, destination highlights, other places to visit along the way, choice restaurants and lodging (including price ranges), shopping, and much more. (5 1-2 x 8 1-2, 240 pages, maps) Our Price: $14.95

Historic Cumberland Plateau: An Explorer’s Guide Russ Manning From the Publisher: A visit to the Cumberland Plateau is an experience rich in natural wonders and scenic beauty. A land best known for its great caves, cascading waterfalls, natural arches, and isolated river canyons, the Cumberland Plateau stretches from northeast to southwest, encompassing parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Within the Plateau’s geographic boundaries are many protected areas, including the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and the Obed National Wild and Scenic River. The Plateau also possesses a unique history and cultural heritage. Inhabited first by Native Americans, then by pioneers migrating westward, the Plateau contains many sites that document its rich history. As different groups passed through, some chose to settle permanently, resulting in a diverse cultural heritage celebrated today in many regional events. The Historic Cumberland Plateau is the first guide to combine natural, historical, and cultural information about the area in one easy-to-use book. Each chapter focuses on a particular region, allowing easy access to the history, cultural events, services and accommodations, and directions to natural wonders, hiking trails, and historic sites. Combining historical narrative with the specifics of a guide, this book is an indispensable aid for visiting and experiencing the Cumberland Plateau. Our Price: $18.95

Falconguide to California’s Missions and Presidios: A Guide to Exploring California’s Spanish Legacy Tracy Salcedo-Chourre From the Publisher: As Spanish authorities colonized Alta California, they established 21 Franciscan missions and four forts, or presidios, to bring the native inhabitants of the region under control and to provide for security and defense. Today, the missions and presidios are among California’s most popular historic landmarks, and enduring reminders of California’s Spanish and Mexican past. For travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience a taste of all that the area has to offer, this book contains short hikes, biking, and other outdoor recreation opportunities, plus travel information and natural history. It is a fun and fascinating tour of the missions and presidios for vacationers and history buffs alike.Other books in the Exploring series include Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Canyonlands and Arches National Park, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, Dinosaur National Monument, Florida’s Atlantic Coast Beaches, Florida’s Gulf Coast Beaches, Glacier National Park, Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Hawaii’s Parklands, Mount Helena, Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Southern California Beaches. Our Price: $15.95