The Adirondacks hold a special place in my heart. For both the incredible memories I’ve made there over the years and the quirky, deeply ingrained boat culture and how it’s evolved over the last few hundred years.
Boats and Boating in the Adirondacks by author Hallie Bond brought me back every time I opened it. The book traces the rich history of such storied hull designs as early Rushton Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, Adirondack guide boats, the St. Lawrence River Skiff and quite a few other boats you’ve probably never heard of. I know I hadn’t. Hallie, the long time curator of the Adirondack Museum, weaves a fascinating history of the boats, geography, and people who shaped the wilderness with the help of these craft.
The book is as much about boat design as it is about the Adirondacks and the rich history of the people and landscape that was shaped by the boats themselves.
It’s a perfect escape for anyone smitten with the Adirondacks, or any lover of small(ish) hand made boats. It’d be a great mid-winter read, and can be read linearly or simply browsed for short stories or specific boats.