FARMINGTON — If you’re planning a canoe or kayak trip on a local pond, lake or river this year, check out a new book published by a local author.

“Kayak and Canoe Outings in the Western Mountains of Maine” is the latest book authored by local resident Doug Dunlap, who has also written “Day Hiking in the Western Mountains of Maine” and other books as part of his Foot and Paddle series. His latest work includes comprehensive descriptions of flat-water paddling outings on water bodies throughout the area, as well as how to get to them, what to take on the trip and safety tips.

The trips range from a one-hour paddle at Hills Pond in Perkins Township just south of Weld to a lengthy paddle on the Richardson Lakes north of Andover.

“Personally, I enjoy going some places I’ve never been before, pushing my list of new places,” he said in a recent interview. “I enjoy sharing it with other people. I’m just trying to share what we have.”

Dunlap said the history behind the Foot and Paddle series goes back to a chance meeting he had with a previous Franklin Journal editor.

“I said, ‘There’s nothing in the paper about hiking, canoeing and kayaking,'” he said. “I said, ‘You should get a reporter on that.’ He said, ‘I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you do a column?'”

Dunlap’s Foot and Paddle column now appears periodically in the Franklin Journal. Around 2010 or 2011, Dunlap said he was contacted by Michael Hohne and Angela Werner of Wilton, who encouraged him to put his columns together into a book. They wound up doing the design for his books, under Hohne-Werner Design.

“It seemed like the natural next step, after the hiking book, was a paddle book,” he said.

To research water bodies and collect material for the book, Dunlap went on multiple trips to each of the listed excursions. Before setting out on each trip, he undertook meticulous preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable paddle.

“Certainly, the major consideration, which I do mention in the book, is the safety consideration,” Dunlap said. “For Maine guides, it’s the primary consideration.”

An accident on water is an immediate emergency, and response time is critical, Dunlap said. Because water distorts sound and makes it nearly impossible to understand what someone is saying if there’s enough distance between boats, it is always important to have some other form of communication, Dunlap said.

“A whistle is optimal,” he said.

With enough food and water and the proper gear, paddlers can experience the thrill of adventure on the waters of western Maine, yet still be within a comfortable drive to civilization. Dunlap describes in vivid detail the animals and plants he encountered on each trip, relating his personal experiences on each river, pond or lake in the book.

So, what makes western Maine special?

“Compared to the rest of the world, it’s pretty pristine,” Dunlap said. “It’s not crowded. The big thing is how accessible it is. You can have a good, authentic outdoors experience without having to travel great distances.”

Dunlap has not only written the book, he has published it, under Foot and Paddle Publications. Hohne-Werner Design did the cover and interior design, and Dunlap provided the photos sprinkled throughout the book. Phil Poirier did the cover art treatment.

For information on how to purchase the book, email [email protected].

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