Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've loved the few National Parks I've visited, so I looked forward to reading about Matt and Karen Smith's visits to those parks, and to learning what about other parks I would want to visit someday. I haven't finished the book yet, but some things about it bothered me enough to look up other readers' reviews to see if I was the only one who felt the way I do. I see that others agree with me. I was enjoying the book until I read enough of his put downs of geezers and old ladies and old lady perfume, etc to know that Matt doesn't like me. Matt wouldn't like me and I find that's affecting my enjoyment of the book. He doesn't like families with children when the children behave like children. The authors don't really respect the National Parks nor the rules that preserve the parks for all. Touching something (ex: the cane-like formations in the cave) that they've been told explicitly not to touch, smuggling alcohol in where it's not allowed, camping out with cooler and beer in the lobby of a beautiful icon of the National Park hotels: huh? The emphasis upon alcohol consumption and even getting drunk, was puzzling because it - and the childish behavior in hotels, restaurants, out in the parks - conflicted with the authors' claim that they are middle aged adults who have raised a family and are turning 50. It was difficult to get to know these people; their values seem in conflict with each other. Love of the features preserved in national parks, but disdain for the people who run and visit them, and for the rules necessary for the preservation of natural treasures. Who ever did the writing is a great writer with talent for humor and description. The humorous exchanges between the couple were, I thought, cute and sometimes caused me to chuckle aloud. But the pervasive disdain for humans in general, and especially senior citizens and young children turned me off. I kept reading beyond the point of finding the book somewhat repetitive, and rather annoying in the way that the couple began racing to parks just long enough to get the park stamp, take a quick hike, then mark that park "done" because I wanted to read about their experiences in two of my favorite parks: Acadia National Park in Maine and Badlands in South Dakota. What a huge disappointment! They raced to Acadia, spent a few hours there, never talked about specifics about what they saw, where they stayed, where they ate (and I, too, tired of the PB & J sandwiches and pizza descriptions). Badlands National Park was neglected, too, in my opinion. The project was a worthy one but it occurred to me that it was a race, not a journey, done just to turn out a book, or to travel and be able to deduct the cost on their taxes. (I'm thinking I might be wrong about that, but the book gives one that impression: that it's all about getting the passports stamped and to be able to say they did it.) I get the annoyance with people talking loudly on cell phones, but the digs against other humans were just too much and when I hold a book in my hand I don't want to have the feeling that the author doesn't like me now that I'm a senior lady. A more accepting way of looking at others would improve the writing and would also enhance Matt's life.