The fourth volume in the Secret Beaches series, one of two on the Salish Sea, covers 93 beaches in the southern Gulf Islands, including Salt Spring, Galiano, Saturna, Mayne, Thetis and Pender. At some locations, the selling point is a view of sandstone eroded into astounding curves and honeycombed lattices. At others, it's the chance of seeing the resident orcas of J1, K1 and L1 pods, whose summer home is the Gulf Islands. Theo's hand-drawn maps are indispensable, as each island marks its public beach access points differently, if they mark them at all. His detailed entries give comprehensive descriptions and an illustrative photo or painting for each beach. As usual, the charming paintings and photos are done by Theo himself. Whether seconds from the ferry or farther along a twisting, unsigned back road, the beach best suited to your adventure waits to be found in Secret Beaches of the Salish Sea.

This third volume in Theo's Secret Beaches series is a comprehensive guide to dozens of beaches on the east coast of Vancouver Island between Campbell River and Qualicum. While some of them are well used by people who live nearby, some are tucked just off the highway and others are hidden at the end of a labyrinth of roads. Just as important as finding a particular spot is knowing what to expect. Theo provides detailed information for each location so that you can find the right place for the activity you seek. The book includes Theo's hand-drawn maps, photographs and paintings. Want a place where the kids can scamper barefoot across acres of fine white sand? Try Seaman Road near Saratoga Beach. Eager to explore forested ravine trails leading to protected sandy beaches? Try Seal Bay north of Comox. How about a picnic in the car while watching the spring brant geese migration? Check out Seacroft Road near Qualicum. Looking for an easy place to launch a kayak for a paddle to Sandy Island Marine Park? Head for Argyll Road north of Union Bay. Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, swim, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

In the fifth volume in the Secret Beaches series, one of two on the Salish Sea, you'll discover noteworthy beaches in the northern Gulf Islands, including Denman, Quadra, Gabriola, Hornby and Texada. As in his previous volumes, Theo gives full descriptions of each beach so that you'll be able to find the right location for your activity, from group picnics to romantic cuddles, leisurely strolls to wild woodsy walks, family explorations to soul-searching solitary afternoons watching the clouds race across an island-dotted horizon. Discover where to launch a kayak, where to catch some rays or where to spot surf scoters, harlequin ducks and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Theo's hand-drawn maps are indispensable, as each island marks its public beach access points differently, if they mark them at all. His detailed entries are accompanied by an illustrative photo or painting for each beach. As usual, the charming paintings and photos are done by Theo himself.

Secret Beaches of Greater Victoria is a comprehensive review of nearly 100 beaches on the Saanich Peninsula and in the Greater Victoria area. While some of these are well used by people living nearby, many are virtually impossible to find without combing through official maps and back-road guides. Even the seemingly well-known shoreline from Oak Bay to Beacon Hill hides its own tiny pocket beaches and obscure coves. Just as important as finding these spots is knowing what to expect. Thus each location is accompanied by detailed information that any beach explorer should know before setting out. Is the beach a few level steps from a vehicle or down a high, steep bank? Is the beach suitable for children? Large groups? Kayakers? All of these questions and many more are answered in this book, which includes Theo's hand-drawn maps, photographs and artwork. Take a few steps off a grassy area and enter a world of miniature reefs and islets (Lansdowne Road) Watch boats navigating Enterprise Channel from a hidden headland (Radcliffe Lane) Relax on an expanse of beautiful white sand (Gonzales Beach) Explore a beach where you can see low-tide critters like anemones, starfish and crabs (Beaufort Road, Sidney) Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, launch kayaks, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

This is your guide to dozens of spectacular and often hidden beaches on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island between Qualicum and the Malahat. While some of them are well used by people living nearby, many are virtually impossible to find without combing through official maps and back-road guides. From tiny rocky coves to broad sandy beaches, these public-access spots are enormously diverse. Just as important as finding these spots is knowing what to expect. Thus each location is accompanied by detailed information that any beach explorer should know before setting out. Is the beach a few level steps from a vehicle or down a high, steep bank? Is the beach suitable for children? Large groups? Kayakers? All of these questions and many more are answered in this book, which includes Theo’s hand-drawn maps, photographs and artwork. Watch sea lions in the winter (Higginson Road) Paint one of the few great views of Mt. Arrowsmith—go before noon for dramatic light (Rowland Road) Head to the most child-friendly beach between Crofton and the Malahat (Cherry Point Nature Park) Splash and swim in warm water over sand (Benwalden Road) Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, launch kayaks, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

A spectacular variety of life flourishes between the ebb and flow of high and low tide. Anemones talk to each other through chemical signaling, clingfish grip rocks and resist the surging tide, and bioluminescent dinoflagellates—single-celled algae—light up disturbances in the shallow water like glowing fingerprints. This guidebook helps readers uncover the hidden workings of the natural world of the shoreline. Richly illustrated and accessibly written, Between the Tides in Washington and Oregon illuminates the scientific forces that shape the diversity of life at each beach and tidepool—perfect for beachgoers who want to know why. Features include • profiles of popular and off-the-beaten-track sites to visit along the Greater Salish Sea, Puget Sound, and Washington and Oregon coasts • the fascinating stories behind both common and less familiar species • a lively introduction to how coastal ecosystems work and why no two beaches are ever alike

Longlisted for the 2020 Women's Prize for Fiction One of Time's 100 Must-Read Books of 2020 “A critique, a confession, a love letter—and another brilliant novel from Anne Enright.” —Ron Charles, Washington Post Katherine O’Dell is an Irish theater legend. Every moment of her life is a performance, with her daughter, Norah, standing in the wings. With age, alcohol, and dimming stardom, however, Katherine’s grip on reality grows fitful. Fueled by a proud and long-simmering rage, she commits a bizarre crime. As Norah’s role gradually changes to Katherine’s protector, caregiver, and finally legacy-keeper, she revisits her mother’s life of fiercely kept secrets; and Norah confronts in turn the secrets of her own sexual and emotional coming-of-age. With virtuosic storytelling, Actress weaves together two generations of women with difficult sexual histories, touching a raw and timely nerve.

Trails specifically selected with younger hikers in mind Tips for family vacation destinations Features easy-to-access “nature fixes” throughout Western Washington Author Susan Elderkin has seen her kids express wonder and glee at discovering insects and flowers, melt down in tearful defiance in the middle of a trail, and triumphantly reach a summit and view. In short, she’s a regular mom who wants to encourage other parents to get their regular kids out into nature too. While Susan is an expert hiker in her own right, it’s her children who helped her to see hiking from a kid’s point of view. The result is Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington, a fresh and wholly new guide for families looking for quality time together away from their distracting devices. Guidebook features include: 125 hikes—carefully selected and vetted by both parents and children Routes range in length from less than 2 miles (great for toddlers) to as much as 6 miles (for older kids who want to test themselves) Handy info blocks give a quick snapshot of each hike: best season, difficulty, length, high point, and elevation gain 13 “Great Getaways”—weekend or vacation destinations around the state with hiking trails and other family-fun activities Colorful icons indicate star attractions of the hike: splash zone, wildflowers, old-growth, dog-friendliness, stroller-accessibility, and more “Best of” lists make it easy for families to match hikes to their kids’ interests Driving directions, complete trail information, GPS trailhead coordinates, and color map included for each hike Tips on how to motivate kids on the trail, what’s appropriate for different ages, nature facts, and more Whether you’re looking for the best hikes to hug a really big tree; take a fun and refreshing dip; see birds, animals, or waterfalls; go on a winter day; or stuff yourself with berries, Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington has you covered.

SHORTLISTED for the 2021 BC and Yukon Book Prizes' Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize A personal story about not only facing but conquering fears. In 2015, Eva Holland was forced to confront her greatest fear when her mother had a stroke and suddenly passed away. After the shock and grief subsided, Holland began to examine the extent to which her many fears had limited her, and wondered whether or not it was possible to move past them. This sent Holland on a deep dive into the science of fear, digging into an array of universal and personal questions: Why do we feel fear? Where do phobias come from and how are they related to anxiety disorders and trauma? Can you really smell fear? (Yes.) What would it be like to feel no fear? Is there a cure for fear? Or, put differently, is there a better way to feel afraid? On her journey, Holland meets with scientists who are working to eliminate phobias with a single pill, she explores the lives of the few individuals who suffer from a rare disease that prevents them from ever feeling fear, and she immerses herself in her own fears including hurling herself out of a plane for her first skydive (and in the process, learns that there are right and wrong ways to face your fears). Fear is a universal human experience, and Nerve answers these questions in a refreshingly accessible way, offering readers an often personal, sometimes funny, and always rigorously researched journey through the science of facing our fears.