Michael J. Walawender
Published: 2022
Total Pages: 0
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"When originally published in 2000, The Peninsular Ranges: A Geological Guide to San Diego's Back Country was the only stand-alone guide to the entirety of the granitic and metamorphic uplands of eastern San Diego County. Following Mike Walawender's death at age 71 in September 2011, it remained so. After the first edition went out of print, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company elected not to reprint the volume, so copies remained few and hard to come by, and surprisingly expensive when available. More recently, the San Diego Geological Society (SDGS) recognized that there is an ongoing interest in this region of southern California among geologists, rockhounds, hikers, and others who appreciate the natural beauty and history of San Diego's mountain country. SDGS sees a threefold purpose in once again offering The Peninsular Ranges as an accessible printed guidebook. First, it is a fine introduction and overview of this geomorphic province in southwestern California, home to historic gold mining towns, rare gem mining districts, and spectacular mountain, desert, and transitional landscapes. Second, it is an opportunity to honor Professor Mike Walawender, who from 1972 through 2001 taught generations of geology students (including several appreciative members of our editorial team) at San Diego State University. Third, proceeds from the sale of this volume will be directed to the SDGS Walawender Scholarship, which awards funding to student projects focusing on igneous and metamorphic geology at San Diego area universities. For this second edition, some revisions were necessary since the original printing over 20 years ago. Specifically, graphics were redrafted in color, and photographs were re-shot in the field to improve image quality, replicating the original view to the extent possible. For the field excursions, information regarding access was updated to reflect current conditions. Key geographical coordinates in latitude and longitude were added to aid navigation. Finally, footnotes were added where needed to provide updated information and detail based on recent scientific research. We at SDGS would like to thank the Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company of Dubuque, Iowa, for confirming the release of copyright to allow us to publish this second edition. And of special importance to us, we would like to thank the Walawender family, especially his widow Sonja and son Josh, for their support of this project. We hope that Mike would be proud of our efforts to celebrate his legacy and introduce San Diego's Peninsular Ranges to new generations of explorers"--
