The Essential Guide to Overland Travel in the United States and Canada: A Resource for Independent Travel and Camping

If you are planning an overland trip in North America this is a fantastic and up to date resource for the intrepid. Also consider Vehicle-dependent Expedition Guide , 4th Ed. by Sheppard and Hanson (if you can find it)

Balance is at the core of so much of the very best in life and balance is at the core of The Essential Guide to Overland Travel in the United States and Canada. Ms Wakeman presents a balance of solid facts, even a little arithmetic (gasp!), and well-informed opinions without confusing one with the other. Thorough treatment of the subject matter is balanced with entertaining anecdotes from the trail. Even the choice of subject matter itself and depth of treatment is a perfect balance of all that is overland travel in the US and Canada. Guidance on preparing and driving is well balanced with how to be successful on short and long stop-overs along the way. But here’s the most special and unique feature of Ms Wakeman’s writing. She presents this wealth of information in a way that makes sure we’ll enjoy the entire overlanding process, from planning and preparation through clean-up and re-stocking, in ways that make us want to return to the whole journey again and again.Overland travel doesn’t just mean minimalist routes and backcountry camping. Ms. Wakeman’s theme throughout the book is as much a state of mind as it is a mode of travel. Hockey great Mark Messier stressed his enjoyment of all aspects of his career, the practices meetings and travel as much as the games and championships, as being key to his success. Ms. Wakeman’s underlying guidance to us is most valuable for sharing how to achieve that same kind of success in our travels. Her presentation and phrasing show us how to enjoy the entire journey, sustain our enjoyment of the pursuit, and just plain have fun all along the way. Isn’t that what life and living should be about?A few specifics in closing. This is the best approach I’ve seen to meshing the importance of an individual’s choices with general guidance and best practices. Not many guides stress the importance of making and adjusting decisions to suit the individual traveller over “doing what you’re told” by the author. This one does a superb job in that regard. This guide also gives probably the most thorough and practical treatment of travel with pets that I’ve ever seen. Although it’s only a small portion of the book, many travelers will find that section alone worth the price of admission. The sections on choosing methods of communication, clothing fabrics, and approaches to cooking to suit the trip and traveller are particularly useful in our ever-changing world and are more thought provoking here than in other vehicle-based travel guides. Even subjects that can be dry like technical aspects of vehicle maintenance and driving techniques are sustained by the author's conversational style and sharing of "the why behind the what."For all of the above reasons my copy of The Essential Guide to Overland Travel in the United States and Canada will be often read, re-read, referenced, and shared. Highly recommended.

This is a very well done and thought out book for Overland Travel! I purchased this book on blind faith given TeriAnn's experience and the promise of a guide that was designed to cover all of the bases and it delivered 100%. I just got my copy today, ordered directly from the author, and I have spent the last couple of hours reading through it and I can tell you that it will not disappoint. I am very happy with this purchase and do NOT let the price scare you away, it will pay for itself many times over in guiding someone new (or even seasoned) to the Overland lifestyle in making the right choices for gear, vehicle setup and very valuable tips for crossing the border into Canada which I had never even considered before reading this book! Well done TeriAnn!

I can only think how lucky young would-be adventurers are today to have such a book available -- back when we were all starting out on our overlanding there were virtually NO books available (believe me I searched every bookshop!!).I am especially impressed with the author's research on all the issues from vehicles to sleeping bag design (the latter being a subject about which I had no clue). There are also cool photos of rock formations and old ghost town wrecks (the latter of which I have photographed more than my share too over the years) that warm the cockles of the soul. An amazing compendium and should soon establish a position as the ultimate authority on off pavement exploration and overlanding!

This is the most comprehensive common sense practical guide I have read. The author covered all aspects of overland travel particularly in off road back country conditions where you have to rely on your own preparation and skills to have a successful journey. Lots of good photos and use full references. Ive been recommending it to others and i'm on my second read ...

Still waiting for my copy, but here's the background: TeriAnn has been an amazing part of the Land Rover community for decades. Her reputation is stellar and her willingness to help others unparalleled. She has owned the green rover a long time and has traveled extensively. I traveled with her on several occasions (along the coast to Portland and the Red Rocks trip that included an overnight with Navajo guide in the Canyon de Chelly) and know without a doubt that this book will be full of valuable information.

I have pre-ordered the book and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. TeriAnn has long been a wealth of knowledge and encouragement with the Series Land Rover. I am really looking forward to having this hands-on printed resource as part of my kit. It should add to any outing or journey.