I’m excited to relay the news that my new book, Learning the Terrain, has been published by Wood Thrush Books in Swanton, Vermont. The book is now available from Wood Thrush, as well as from Amazon (Kindle or paperback) and Yours Truly. I’ve been fortunate to have had an excellent editor and small-press publisher handling the five-book series on fly-fishing, hiking, and natural history experiences, the first of which appeared in 2008. This latest publication will be my last book of its kind, but its 144-page content held by attractive matte covers is a work that I am proud to offer. At my Amazon Page you can click the “Look Inside” button and preview a generous sample from the book’s beginning. Many of you know my writing style and interests, and I’m sure you’ll find the book price of $14 to be worth every cent. For readers new to Rivertop Rambles, Learning the Terrain is a great place to learn what it’s all about, to enjoy the streams and rivers, oceanside and mountains, from the comfort of your world.
In other news, it’s been a long cold winter in New York, a good season for outdoor adventuring, if you’re so inclined. As for me, I’m ready for a change. The trails and streams are beckoning. I have plans for the home front and for the road, as well. The mountains of New York, the hills and streams of Pennsylvania, even some westward travel later in the year. Even though I sometimes entertain a fit conclusion for the life of Rivertop Rambles in its present form, I have no solid outlook at this time.
I thank you all for your patronage and wish everyone a bright new season. Read good books for the enjoyment of interesting perspectives and remember that a banned book is in likelihood a work that needs to be read and reconsidered.
Rivertop Rambles 
Congratulations! This series from Wood Thrush has been great — fun to read, thought-provoking, and attractively presented. I’m looking forward to this last installment. Did you take the cover photos of the brook running through what appears to be a hemlock forest?
Thanks Brent! No, I didn’t take the photo, but it does come straight from the mountains of PA and strongly reminds me of a hiking locale near Slate Run & similar wild places.
Congrats on your exciting book launch! Looking forward to checking it out. Love the image of Phil btw.
Phil & I appreciate you very much!
I look forward to reading it Rivertop! Wonder if you could bring a copy by the spring meeting? The cover certainly looks like a spring runoff in the hills of Slate Run. Interesting ‘effect’ on the Cardinal and house pictures. We didn’t get hit as hard as they thought we were going to be a few days ago – only got about 4″ of the white stuff. I am looking forward now and getting more excited that these days are numbered with that white stuff. UB
Yesterday we had rain & flood conditions, now it’s cold with intermittent snow. Lots of fun. I’ll bring you a copy when we come down for the spring meeting at SR. Thanks UB.
It would/will be a much sadder day if you ‘conclude’ Rivertop Rambles. I look forward to your posts. You writing, perspective, and observations, not to mention some great pictures, are a highlight to my day when you post. This being said, there is always a beginning, ‘middle and end to most things though I suppose. I’m hoping you’re in a ‘middle’ mode. UB
I’m with you there, UB! You help keeping the Rambler on his feet.
Congratulations on the latest offering, Walt! Very much looking forward to reading it, will be sourcing a copy over the weekend.
Winding up Rivertop Rambles? I understand, and all good things come to an end and so on, other ventures call, but to be a selfish reader, I hope you ramble on in this little corner for a few more seasons…
Congrats again, and have a great weekend!
Thanks much, Adam! Yeah, it might just be a winter season sort of brain-mix, an uncertainty, but the new book & a springtime hopefulness may help to clarify directions… Happy weekend to you.
Congrats. 👍
Appreciated!
Congrats! Best wishes for a year of delightful adventures.
Let’s hope for a good one, Tio. Thanks!
Congratulations! I am looking forward to reading this.
Thanks, and I appreciate your interest, Mark.
Unsolicited (and admittedly biased) plug: folks, if you haven’t read any of Walt‘s work before, you are missing some of the best writing regarding the natural world and one man’s movements through and reflections on it. Worth it every time.
Are you ready to do some fishing?
PS: saw my first snowshoe hare last week!
Ready, and very thankful, my friend! I envy your sighting of a snowshoe hare and I presume it was well camouflaged with its surroundings. I have never seen one in this bioregion but have heard of their occasional sighting, even of hunting ventures in Potter County.
It’s always seemed to me that banning books is less about “protecting” children than it is about parents fear, insecurity, and a desire to avoid self-examination. Not to mention maintaining status and power. If you can’t have a substantive discussion with your kids about difficult topics you deserve an “F”.
It is also fascinating to see what people are afraid of and why. I knew a girl in high school who’s parents weren’t unduly exercised by Bradbury, Orwell, Salinger, Wiesel etc. but were absolutely terrified of anything to do with fantasy or magic. I used to loan her books that she’d stash in her locker and read during lunch.
Congratulations on the new release, and if you find yourself traveling in the vicinity of north-central Idaho this summer, drop me a line and I’ll point you at some fantastic hiking and fishing.
AJ, I’m in strong agreement with your reasoning on the banning of books. A personal case in point: an earlier book of mine, Streamwalker’s Journey received a fine review in TROUT magazine. A few readers of that review bought the book and, in response, a couple of them trashed it on Amazon, saying, essentially, do NOT buy this book, throw it in the fire before your kids can read it. Now, there is NOTHING in the content of SJ close to being injurious for a younger mind. I contend that these trolls didn’t like the book because it didn’t fit their idea of what a fly-fishing book should look or sound like. As you say, banning has more to do with “fear, insecurity, and a desire to avoid self-examination.”
Thank you for bringing this to light, and yes, next time that I plan on venturing into Idaho (a great destination) I’ll try to let you know in advance.
Walt
Congrats on your latest publication, Learning the Terrian; another fly season is approaching that can add content to your next book
Don’t know if you have heard about Alan’s passing on Saturday, really sad news—-there are only a few of us old-timers left now that started blogging together over 12 years ago
Thanks for sharing
Yes, thanks Bill! And yeah, I heard about Alan’s passing a couple days ago. He’ll be missed by many friends & readers of his fly-fishing blog, for sure. You’re right, there’s only a few of us old-timers left who started blogging about a dozen years ago. Hang in there, my friend, and I’ll try to do the same.
Walter, looking to connect with you ” a blast from the past” your friend Wendy (Phillips) back then
Recently reconnected with our friend Mary from the House we lived in in Andover. Anyway,she sent me an article regarding your reading in Hornell. I have since found your collection of
Publications , they definitely display your personality as I remember you. Maybe you would have
Time to connect while you are recovering from surgery.. Email w99flash @aol.com or text
315 430-2180 would love to hear from you. Currently living outside of Syracuse, small town of
Cazenovia.. Reminds me a lot of Alfred. Also on Facebook messenger
Wendy,
I’m floored! Perhaps levitating. Thanks so much for reconnecting! I’ve wondered how the years have treated you. Please look forward to my email coming your way…