The 51 footpaths in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine detailed in NATURE WALKS ALONG THE SEACOAST take you beside tidal rivers and barrier beaches, through coastal preserves and reservations, inside prime woodlands and onto historic islands. The guidebook covers the coastline area about 5 miles inland from Ipswich, Mass., then north along the 18 miles of New Hampshire shoreline to Kennebunkport and Cape Porpoise, Maine. The handy-size book guides you along wondrous Marginal Way overlooking the rocky sea edge of Ogunquit, Me., through the hilly Wagon Hill Farm meadows beside Oyster River in Durham, N.H., on top of the Hellcat Freshwater Marsh boardwalk in Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Newburyport, Mass. You'll see wave-spraying trap dikes, fecund tidal pools, historic red-striped lighthouses protecting fishermen from "the savage rocks," tidal fields of tall spartina grass, amazing Great Bay, Sandy Point Identification Trail, little Wiggly Bridge, 89-acre Fort Foster. Each entry includes user-friendly descriptions of the walk—how to get there, walking time and distance, special features, easy-to-use map, photographs, flora and fauna, open hours of the facilities, geology, natural history and cultural history, plus sources for further information. The introduction tells about "Walking with Children" that lists footpaths youngsters will enjoy as well as suggestions for everyone on "How to Prepare and What to Wear." In addition, a six-page chart checks off the features of each trail, and a three-state locator map pinpoints each trail within the overall region. Older and Sherman are authors also of NATURE WALKS IN SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE and NATURE WALKS IN THE NEW HAMPSHIRE LAKES REGION.
	NATURE WALKS ALONG THE SEACOAST  Julia Older and Steve Sherman  $15.95 (266 pp) Trade Paperback (5x7-inch)  Appalachian Mountain Club Books, 2003  ISBN 1929173121  Prompt shipment Order this book using PayPal: Click here to see both ways to order.