To wilderness guru John Muir, the forest was a temple, and he advised that we "saunter" through it with reverence. No hiking, thank you.

Walks Around Anne Arundel is a collection of newspaper columns inspired by sauntering through parks in and around Anne Arundel County with a good dog and a good friend or two.

In it, you'll make twofold discoveries. First, you'll visit nearby forests, Bayside beaches and riverside trails-all in a short drive from Annapolis and many nearly forgotten gems. While reading-and sauntering-along with a dog-loving poet and storyteller, author Jefferson Holland, you'll also learn about the natural history and cultural heritage of each site.

How to best preserve shoreline for creatures who pass between water and land? What tiny state park was once a very local airport? What were the hottest spots on the Bay for Black Marylanders-so appealing that Whites integrated them? In what parks was Annapolis water once purified? Where can your dog get in the water, and you get on the water?

Holland tells you all that-and much more.