Gila Descending: A Southwestern Journey

by Merrilee H. Salmon and M.H. Dutch Salmon

Book Overview

The story of a 200-mile wilderness journey by canoe down the Gila River. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0944383203
• ISBN13: 9780944383209
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: High Lonesome Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Remarkable Book

This is a remarkable book for a variety of reasons. At first glance it is what it appears to be: A story of a 200 mile journey down the Gila River in New Mexico in a canoe. Together with a lovable, mixed breed hound named Rojo and a most unlikely feline Tomcat of questionable lineage, the author floated and occasionally portaged a jewel of a natural river. In a reader friendly style that is a joy to read the author treats the reader to an unforgettable description of his leisurely river trip. If his stories of fishing (check out the catfish, his favorite!), learning to paddle a canoe in both calm and the ever thrilling whitewater, his being mistaken for a "narc" in Duncan, Arizona, and his encounter with illegal aliens don't peak your interest then the antics of Rojo and the Tomcat will make the price of the book worthwhile. Their antics are equal parts humor, exasperation, and love and are an indispensable part of the story. There is another part of the book that kind of sneaks up on you and leaves an impression long after the book is finished. Salmon is the type of writer, very rare these days, that writes in a manner that makes you feel you are in the boat with hm and the two of you are discussing matters such as the environment much as old friends would do. Issues such as the importance of Wilderness areas; the effort to save Wild areas as a philosophical question rather than an economic one; and the possibility that a person can have an informed environmental conscience and still pay dues to the National Rifle Association are just a few of the thoughtful subjects interspersed throughout the book. Salmon writes in a down to earth yet professional manner tht educates, entertains, and leaves one feeling they have just visited with an old friend. His love of the wilderness is evident and his musings on how to preserve it are sometimes subtle, sometimes irritating, but always from the heart and a joy to read. What a remarkable book!

GILA DESCENDING/SOUL ASCENDING

"Gila Descending" by M.H. Salmon is as great a spiritual trip, as it is a river trip. Salmon's canoe route down the Gila along with his dog and..."tom cat" make for great adventure, and self-exploration. Sometimes, the simplicity of things becomes more exciting than all the "special affects" or, "shock and awe" we usually like to inject into our lives. Author, M.H. Salmon understands this concept and imparts that knowledge to the reader through this delightful book. A great, and simple read.

Next best thing to being there

GILA DESCENDING is a relaxed and entertaining account of the author's three-week, 220-mile descent of the Gila River from near its source in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico to about 80 miles into Arizona. This stretch of the Gila is one of the longest undammed, free-running stretches of river in the lower 48 states. The trip was taken in 1983, during a spring run-off of unusually high water. Because the Gila has been spared from much development over the last quarter-century, the book is not badly outdated. (If anything, the Gila is now healthier, more natural, than it was in 1983.) The author M.H. Salmon descended the river first by foot and then, for most of the journey, by canoe, accompanied by a hound and a tomcat. He and his "crew" encounter a number of entertaining mishaps and adventures. Interspersed throughout the account of the trip itself are digressions and ruminations on a number of subjects, such as conservation, hunting and fishing, the "Myth of the West", and the Apache Indians that once ruled the region. As an example of these digressions, and the author's style, consider these comments in response to the charge that conservationists and wilderness buffs are more concerned about land, habitat, and animals than about people: "I think this is largely true. It is certainly true in my case. In an affluent society like ours, where abject poverty is, with rare exceptions, a thing of the past, most of the difficulties we accrue in our lives, from penury to abortive romances, are our own foolish fault. Options exist for our recovery and revival. Yet land, habitat, the creatures of the wild, these have only such options as we allow. People rule the natural world today and everywhere you look we've made a hash of it. A rare gem like the pristine Gila only serves to balance otherwise overzealous commercial interests. In juxtaposition, a free-flowing stream may be the most civilized item within our realm." As this passage suggests, Salmon is somewhat of a maverick. Yet he is knowledgeable, he has a sense of self-deprecating humor, and he writes well enough. To be sure, GILA DESCENDING is not as well-written and lyrical as John Graves' "Goodbye to a River" (an obvious model, to which Salmon pays homage), but that probably is an unfair comparison. At least the Gila, unlike Graves' Brazos River in Texas, still runs free, and if you can't enjoy it in person, reading GILA DESCENDING is a mighty fine substitute.

A great tour of SW Arizona!

Mr Salmon bundles a large helping of wit and detail into this interesting hike and float down the Gila country! His observations on his cat and dog companions are hilarious! The information about the country valuable for those planning to go there. Really wants me, a kayaker and hiker, to try it myself. But I'm up here in Idaho tied down to work and obligations. Someday maybe! This book is the next best thing.

Salmon Ascending...as a fine writer

This is a story about guy crazy enough to load himself, a dog and an errant tom-cat into a canoe and paddle down the New Mexico's Gila River. A well-told tale that includes near-fatal upsets, suspense, hilarity and terrific insight into the characters that live around one of America's last truly wild rivers. A good read.