This past summer I purchased three guidebooks; one of which was a lucky find in a consignment store just days before traveling to the guide's locale.

​My family and I were planning to travel to unfamiliar places. 

The family studying the line at the Rock of Sharon, Spokane, WA. Photo Credit: Kirby Walke

Climbing and watching the sunset at the Feathers Wall in Vantage, WA. Photo Credit: Kirby Walke

​In an era of an overabundance of easy to access info, one might think that the guidebook industry is dead. But after my experiences and those written in a recent outdoor industry article, the biz is alive and booming.

Guidebooks provide more than just a home for information. They give us a relationship. Maybe even a friend. What starts as an idea soon becomes an earmarked page and eventually a tattered cover. These pages also give us a communal gathering spot. ​

​Lit by low light, morning plans are made and silent dreams born.

This relationship was born and acted out before me many times this summer.

​But, one instance is stamped on my memory forever. That thrift store find brought a dream to life.

​My family and I were traveling through Oregon with a quick stop at Smith Rock. 

Fireside planning while on a roadtrip out West. Photo Credit: Jenifer Walke

​Smith has played stage to many of my daydreams and is an even better scene live. ​

Smith Rock, Oregon. Photo Credit: S Dawn

My 8 year-old daughter searched for a route for our Smith debut. 

With a quick search on an app we found a selection of routes within her abilities. One of those routes, situated at the Llama Wall, was named Wannabe Llamas. 

Llamas just happen to be my daughter's favorite animal. She has pictures adorning her walls and t-shirts. 

We knew what must be done. ​​

Where is the guidebook in all this? Well, that brings me to the random stop at a thrift store in Corvallis, Oregon. 

Crescent Moon Alpaca Farm, Terrebonne, Oregon. Photo Credit: Kirby Walke

Strolling down the street to dinner, I commented that I bet this place has a Smith guide. Sure enough, ten dollars later we walked to dinner with our own copy under my arm.

While sitting at dinner we noticed a few earmarked pages from the previous owner. Projects, ticks, dreams for another day?

After ordering our pizza we searched through the folded pages and bookmarks. There it was, page 168 and already bookmarked. Wannabe Llamas. We all four smiled at the fate, humor and coincidence. 

The next day, as we walked across Smith Rock's Crooked River, we were seeing a dream realized. The Llama Wall awaited our arrival. 

Wanna Be Llama (5.8), Smith Rock, OR. Photo Credit: Kirby Walke

Wanna Be Llama (5.8), Smith Rock, OR. Photo Credit: Kirby Walke

From a quick search, to an earmarked page, to my daughter's hard fought ascent, we cemented a relationship with Smith Rock and our ratty old guidebook. Not to mention my 3 year-old exiting the sage brush screaming "Snake!" midway through the route.

So, grab your local guide, find a nook with low light, and do some dreaming. ​