“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” Miriam Beard
I have always had the wanderlust. Even as an adolescent, limited to my own neighborhood, I mapped out new routes to the same old destinations each day, curious about every alleyway, every new flower sprouting through a sidewalk crack, every neighbor not yet met. When finally old enough to travel solo, my innate curiosity drove me to experience new cultures. Early on, I understood that if we knew one another better, we would be less likely to want to kill one another.
For years my traveling was confined to annual vacations and squeezed into extended weekends, with the unhappy remainder of the time spent earning a living, until I finally stopped fighting my desires and chucked my career for a life of travel. This was not an easy process. I came to it at the age of 54 with good writing skills, but with no portfolio or any understanding of the way the industry works. But I was determined to pursue my only true passions in life: travel, writing, and photography. I strapped on a backpack and journeyed solo around the world for six months, blogging as I went. Upon returning, I spent a year begging editors to publish the work of an unknown writer with no credentials or references.
If it is true that fear and faith cannot exist in the same space, then I am living proof of this adage, for I never lost faith that I would succeed. Since late 2006 I have been honing my writing skills, developing networks, and building a respectable portfolio. My articles have now been published in traditional printed publications as well as other online venues. I write about all things related to travel, including destinations, accommodations, culture, and human interest features about interesting people I meet along the way. Although I will occasionally visit the most popular, crowded tourist sites, I prefer off-the-beaten-path, little-known places blessed with natural beauty or uncommonly welcoming people; places where stress melts away and spirit is renewed.
Please take a few moments to meander around my blog. Alternatively, please feel free to sample some of my published work. Clicking on any of the images below will allow you to download the article onto your local computer in an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Wishing you happy travels, be they actual or virtual.
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| Lonely Planet | Huffington Post | Malaysia Tourism |
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| Travel + Escape | Wild Junket | 65 Things To Do |
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| Port Charlotte Herald | Creative Loafing | Scene Magazine |
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| Coastal Angler Magazine | New Scientist | Ocala’s Good Life |
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| Keys Life Magazine | Uptake.com Beaches | Uptake.com Attractions |
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| WowOWow.com | YTravel Blog | HostelBookers.com |
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| World Nomads | Art of Backpacking | Nomadic Matt |
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| Velvet Escape Travel Blog | Trazzler.com | Go Galavanting |
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| Uptake.com Hotels | 4Beachnuts.com | CheapoAir.com |
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| Uptake.com Lodging | Positive Change | Le Figaro Magazine |
Good for you! I am starting down a similar path. Teaching in my true passion and I have been fortunate enough to have lived that dream for 8 years, but now I’m trying to break into the free-lance writing world. Thanks for sharing your success story!
Hi Gina – best of luck with your freelance writing.
Thanks!
Beautiful pictures! Good for you for making the break and doing what you really wanted to do!
Thanks Leslee. I’m living proof that people should follow their dreams.
Barbara est venue à st Malo, j ai eu la chance de la rencontrer. C’est une belle personne. Je regrette juste de ne pas avoir pris plus de temps avec elle. Elle est plus riche que toutes les banques du monde… Et, elle…. elle partage, elle donne. Bon vent Barbara et à l’occasion, revenez manger quelques macarons et boire un chocolat chaud chez Mr Bouvier à st Malo….
Hello Sylvie! It was such a pleasure to meet you. You made my visit to St. Malo very special. I hope I will be able to return someday soon and enjoy more of your absolutely delicious macarons. Next time I will bring my sister with me. Stay happy and keep that beautiful smile of yours. I will let you know when I publish my story about your shop.
Barbara, James from Rev Coffee in Smyrna, GA told me about your blog. I would love to buy you a cup of coffee for a few minutes of your time next time you are in Atlanta. I have a similar goal of blogging and attracted a fairly significant reader base a few years ago and would like to continue it again. I’m sure your expreiences would be useful to me if your schedule and availablitiy permit.
Barbara, yours are the best photographs of Thailand I have seen. I especially enjoyed the ones taken in Chiang Mai. I will be there in 4 weeks and the photos greatly increased my anticipation.
Ray Mason
Thanks Ray – and those were taken prior to having the upgraded camera I have
now!