Words to Float By

Posted February 13, 2009 by Ken Schlager

Suggested reading for paddling in South Jersey.

• Canoeing the Jersey Pine Barrens by Robert Parnes A more comprehensive guide to paddling the pines was surely never devised. Parnes provides handsome helpings of his encyclopedic waterway knowledge. It’s like you’re paddling right beside him.

• The Pine Barrens by John McPhee While not concerned directly with canoeing, this 1968 work by McPhee—which originally appeared in the New Yorker in 1967—explores the history, people, and biology of the Pine Barrens through the author’s well-crafted literary style. It’s a must-have for even the most casual explorer of this region.

• Wildflowers of the Pine Barrens of New Jersey by Howard P. Boyd Before you even shove off from the livery, you’re going to start asking your companions, “What is that flower?” Hopefully someone in the group will be carrying a copy of Boyd’s book in his or her back pocket.

• Jersey Genesis: The Story of the Mullica River by Henry Charlton Beck This classic is an essential read for anyone who plans on spending time on the mighty Mullica. It’s full of anecdotes and insights you won’t find anywhere else.

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