“Unforgettable Journeys to Take Before You Die” by international travel writers and photographers Steve Watkins and Clare Jones will inspire both the armchair tourist as well as the intrepid traveler.  The authors’ have selected thirty journeys that draw upon their favorite and most remarkable trips.  Included are “The Silk Route, Beijing to Samarqand”; a barge cruise across France, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic via the Canal du Mid; and an expedition across the Antarctica, following in the footsteps of famed explorer Ernest Shackleton.  The only journey listed that my wife and I have taken is “Tracing the Life of Gaudi” which describes the work of Barcelona’s famed architect, Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926).  As life-long fans of Gaudi’s work, when we were in Spain a few years ago, we tried our best to visit every building he designed, including the fabulous “La Sagrade Familia” which continues to be under construction.

Of all the journeys listed, the one which most interests me is the “Camino de Santiago”.  This 500-mile pilgrimage crosses northern Spain from the Pyrenees in the east to the Spanish city of Santiago on the Atlantic.  It’s a five-week walk taken by hundreds of millions of pilgrims from around 600 AD to the present.  Once a Roman Catholic religious pilgrimage, the walk is now a spiritual trip—even Shirley MacLaine walked it.  When the walk is completed, each pilgrim—as is the custom--receives a seashell that is indigenous to the area.  Millions of pilgrims from across Europe  have been buried with these special shells on their chests.

For North America, the authors include: “Driving Along Route 66, USA”; a canoe trip down the Yukon River in British Columbia, Canada; and “Driving Through Fall Colours” in New England.

An earlier book, “Unforgettable Things To Do Before You Die” by the same authors, list 40 destinations and events to be experienced in one’s life.  It’s hard to imagine how the authors could limit themselves.  There’s no mention of the Congo or Amazon Rivers.  In China, why Shanghai but not Xian and the Terra Cotta Horses?  Istanbul is listed but not Paris.  But, it’s a big world and the author’s have their top picks and I have mine. 

Another author, Patricia Schultz has tried to list everything a person should see in his lifetime.  Her book is entitled, “1,000 Places To See Before You Die”.  Arranged by country, Schultz gives a scant page at most to her listings and all of the photographs are black and white. Somehow, she skipped “Nebraska” in her account of places to visit in the U.S.A.

Even though “1,000 Places…” slights Nebraska, it’s a fun book to page through as most of us will recognize a number of sites we have visited and we can resolve to visit more on the list.

Recent donations to the Columbus Library Foundation includes those from Alice Moss in memory of Wilfred Jahn and Lois Nyffeler.  Rogene Brown also presented a memorial in honor of Anita Dey.  Donations to the Library Foundation are used to purchase books and other library materials as well as to partially fund remodeling projects.  Donations may be sent directly to the Library Director or a donation form is available at the check out desk.