To write an interesting story about the Arrow Lakes in the book The Columbia River, I interviewed retired ship captains and passengers. The local stories make a travel book draw a reader into the sites in a far more personal manner than just writing about time tables, physical description of a site, or the management details. Through the eyes of "John Smith" the reader is transported into the site mentally and emotionally.
Yet it is true that travelers want to know where to eat or stay, and such necessary details. My publisher dealt with such mundane matters by suggesting four chapters in the book of "Travel and Trivia" to avoid cluttering up the historical text. As a writer it was necessary to investigate personally the details of an area so that the book would suggest suitable sites. This meant, as well, that the book inevitably would need occasional updating . I pointed out the story of a 1200+ river in one book would need care in making real the tales of its past. Siphoning off practical information achieves this and often identifies other books that may focus on topics of a reader's particular interest .For us the writers it is important to keep a main theme flowing smoothly.
