While not intended to be an academic work (it says so in the Author's notes), Murder in the Fourth Corner: True Stories of Whatcom County's Earliest Homicides, by T.A. Warger is a carefully researched book and a most intriguing look back at some of the most heinous crimes from our past. It may also be said that many were 'ripped from the headlines' (and what headlines they were!) Some were solved, some were not, some may have been committed in a house you've seen, or live in. (The author apologizes for that). A great local history read.

More books from the Images of America Series found their way to my 'to be read' stack this winter. As with the others mentioned in earlier posts, they are full of wonderful pictures and are of local places and events. First was Mount Baker, by John D'Onofrio and Todd Warger. It can be a forbidding and hazardous place, but it's full of human activity (not to mention volcanic) such as mining, logging, hiking, skiing (and one of the first places to promote snowboarding), and movie making (complete with Hollywood stars). There's an earlier version of the popular Sea-to-Ski race, too. Be sure to check out the duct tape award, and an early model of the ski lift. (nope, not a rope tow) (!)

Next came Tall Ships on Puget Sound, by Chuck Fowler and the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society. From the mid-1700's to present times, tall ships have been seen in local waters. From the smaller ships (think the Lady Washington) to the larger four-mast barks such as the Queen Margaret, from explorers to the military, you'll see them in this book. Even the USS Constitution, better known as 'Old Ironsides' has been here! The U.S. Bicentennial, and locally, the Washington State Centennial sparked new interest in these beautiful ships and it is now possible to visit, or even crew on one.

Times change, and so do ships. The Navy in Puget Sound, by Cory Graff, Puget Sound Navy Museum shows just that in another wonderful collection of old photographs. Destroyers, submarines, aircraft carriers were all built in this area. Many returned for repair (some more than once). Be sure to look for the picture of the USS Lexington providing power to the city of Tacoma in the winter of 1929! (There'd been a drought, and the water reserves were low). There are some great aerial shots in this book, too.

I learned in a holiday letter that my cousin took a trip on a steamboat last year. I was intrigued by the fact that at the end of the day, the steamboat could just drift over to the side of the river and tie off to trees for the night. I did a search, found a few books on steamboats and this was the best: Steamboats on Northwest Rivers (Before the Dams), by Bill Gulick. This is a history book that reads like a grand adventure, it was almost a 'one sitting' type book. Ships would sail here from England 'under canvas' and then be refitted into either a stern-wheeler (which worked the best on shallow rivers) or side-wheelers. Follow the career of Captain William Polk Gray as he becomes one of the best river pilots ever. (What's the best way to navigate rapids? Slowly, on the side, or fast, and right down the middle)?

Reading Hermit With Dog