Linda Ballou Talking to You

Have Boots Will Travel in Southwest Colorado-Travel World Magazine

2012-01-21T11:53:00.000-08:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More alaska

Endless Beauty on Timeless Shores

2012-01-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

Writing this piece for Travel Curious Often about Kauai, my spiritual birth sands, reminded how very fortunate I was to live there for one blissful year. My time on the north shore was a turning point in my life. I didn't realize it then, but looking back I see what a profound affect it had on me.

Kaua’i, lush with foliage, resplendent with waterfalls, and isolated by tumultuous surf, is the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain. It remained undisturbed by the tribal wars that plagued Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island of Hawaii for centuries. The protocols of the 2,000-year-old Polynesian Kapu system were practiced on Kaua’i in relative harmony. It is said that a mantle of mana, or spiritual power, rests over the island and that it still holds sacred secrets of the ancient culture that ended with the burning of the gods in 1819.......

Complete article

Wild West Wander - Part II

2012-01-01T22:33:00.000-08:00

The head-spinning stretch of the San Juan Skyway between Telluride and Ouray is flanked by thousand-foot sandstone formations carved by a river lined by willows. I pulled over at the Dallas Divide unable to pass by the breathtaking sweep of rusty sedges at the base of Dallas Mountain. Its flank was clad in velvet green pine splotched with aspens spinning gold and its ghostly peak pierced tender blue skies. I took a moment to breathe deeply of our fast vanishing American Heritage.

The promise of the mineral hot springs held sacred by the mountain Utes for their healing powers pulled me forward. The Ute Indians, unlike the sedentary Pueblo peoples, were nomadic hunters and gatherers that dominated this lofty realm from1500AD until 1873 when they were overrun by gold-thirsty miners. Each spring when the Utes arrived in the Uncompahgre River valley they performed the Bear Dance celebrating rebirth-a coming out party for all of Mother Nature’s rich gifts. They also enjoyed the healing vapors in the cave that is now overseen by the owners of the Weisbeden Lodge in Ouray. You can pay to visit if you are not staying at their inn. The town is named after the great Chief Ouray who wisely led his people out of the valley when he realized they were out matched by the lure of the rich mineral deposits in the mountains held sacred by his people. There is a museum in nearby Montrose that honors him and is worth a visit.

Read more here;

Linda answers the question "Why Do We Write?"

2011-11-07T08:59:00.000-08:00


Linda at work

I’m a writer – if I stop writing, I am nothing. -Wilbur Smith? Is this true

Sonia Rumzi, author of women's fiction asks Linda pointed questions about being a writer and why she chose to write Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii

What motivates you to write?

The goal is self-actualization. Writing expands and excites my universe while providing purpose to my adventures. It is my form artistic self-expression that allows me to be a part of the “Long Conversation” that is our civilization.

Wild West Wander in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, Part I

2011-11-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

The San Juan Skyway extends through sage-littered plains, up verdant river valleys to lofty peaks streaked with snow and alpine cirques glistening in the sun. The 236-mile loop in southwest Colorado can be done on less than a tank of gas in a day, but it deserves a lifetime of exploration. In this two-piece series, I share how a person of average fitness can get into the heart-catching scenery without tapping their 401K. The best ways to take in the rugged terrain are on foot, horseback, 4×4 vehicle, or on a turn-of the-century steam train.

The journey through this soul-stirring stretch of the Rockies begins in Durango, the gateway to the Four Corners region. There are stops in Mancos, Mesa Verde, Telluride the glamour girl of the mountains, Ouray the sweet spot in the San Juans, and Silverton the heart of the high country.

A whistle blast from the Durango-Silverton train signaled all aboard. The longest continuous running line in the country was completed in 1878 at a cost of $1,000 per foot.

Men were lowered over the cliffs on ropes to plant sticks of dynamite into the rock face, and then had to be lifted out just before the blasts. I gazed out over the heart-catching chasm where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made their famous leap into the churning Animas River.

Two hours into the rugged canyon aboard the rockabilly train brought us to Needleton (9,000 ft) where well marked trails radiate deep into the mountains. Backpackers headed for Chicago Basin on a steady bun-burning climb to campsites in the Weminuche Wilderness. I opted for a day hike on Purgatory Trail that sticks close to the bottle-green river. It leads through a shady grove of aspen lined with asters and gold capped mushrooms.

After enjoying a ham and brie sandwich from Bread, the local bakery in Durango,

Tales Told From the Review of Lost Angel by Dick Jordan

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Adventure travel writer Linda Ballou knows how to bring home a great story when she goes on a trip: Get into trouble. For her, the deeper the water, the fouler the weather, the more hazards underfoot and overhead, the better the story will be to tell.

Think about the alternative. You come back from your journey and tell your friends and family that you encountered no flights delays, no bad meals, no lost or stolen personal items, no bed bugs at your hotel, and not a drop of rain fell on your head. How do they respond to this tale of no-woe-at-all? By yawning.
There is no danger that you will nod off reading Ballou’s Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales. Instead, you want to yell “No, Linda don’t go there!’ or “Linda, whatever we’re you thinking?”, or “Watch out, Linda! Watch out!”

Read the review here

Praise for Wai-nani from The Best Travel Novels

2011-11-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL TO HAWAII WITH WAI-NANI HIGH CHIEFESS OF HAWAII: HER EPIC JOURNEY

I love books that tell a great story but I want to learn something at the same time. I knew that since Linda Ballou was a travel writer that I would learn about Hawaii but what I didn't realize is that she is a beautiful writer. This story takes place at the time in history where the Hawaiians are introduced to the Europeans as seen from the Hawaiian viewpoint. It is a lush story about a strong woman living in a warlike country. Just get that picture of peaceful Hawaiians out of your head. She weaves a tale that keeps you intrigued all the way to the end. This is a great read about a fierce heroine.

Say hello to adventure travel writer Linda Ballou

A love triangle of extremes has proven to be a solid base for my writing. From my roots in Alaska I received strength, centeredness, and respect for the awful power of nature. While living in Hawaii I found nurturing, a spiritual awakening, sensuality and the heroine for my historical novel, Wai-nani High Chiefess of Hawaii: Her Epic Journey. In proud California I obtained a degree in English Literature from Northridge University and a doctorate in urban savvy. My non-fiction book Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales is a spirited collection of travel narratives. I live in Los Angeles where I continue to enjoy exciting contacts, and friends.

Read the interview here

How To Stop a Train in its Tracks

2011-09-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

The fastest way to get into the wilds of the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado is to hop onboard the Durango-Silverton historic sream train. Rock and roll your way up to Needleton, where you leave the train, and join other hikers on the many trails that radiate through the mountains from this point. If you are coming from sea level like me, you will likely need time to acclimate to the higher elevations. This perfect first day jettisons you into the roadless forest with little effort on your part. You can stroll, or hike and take time for a picnic beside the Animas River, but whatever you do, don't miss the train ride back to Durango! If you lose track of time you could find yourself spending a night that tests your survivial skills. No cell service means no helicopters to the rescue.

Rafting in the Wake of Georgie White - Wildcat of the Grand Canyon

2011-09-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

“Wake up people! Find your behind and sit on it,” Captain Adam yelled over the roar of the monster wave spilling into a 20-foot hole- dead ahead. Lava Falls is the most fearsome rapids on the 227-mile Grand Canyon run. I bolted from my day-dreaming position on the warm pontoon. While drifting between walls of black porous rock once inside the cone of a volcano, I'd sunk into river time. When we floated past the enormous basalt plug in the middle of the river, I'd forgotten that it meant we were approaching Lava Falls and that I was holding a one-way ticket home.

Read more here at Real Travel Adventures

Interview with Birding Adventurer – James Currie

2011-09-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

James Currie is the driving force behind Nikon Birding Adventures TV which focuses on destination and adventure bird-watching. He explores the best exotic birding destinations on the planet; the most unusual, rare and highly sought after bird species; amazing cultures and wildlife. He is the informative, passionate – and sometimes crazy! – host for BATV that portrays a unique blend of information and adventure, making bird-watching refreshing, contemporary, interesting and exciting. The program has a strong conservation emphasis and highlights the importance and urgency of preserving the planet’s incredible birdlife.

LB: What got you started in this career? Was there a pivotal event in your life that brought you to being a birding adventurer?

JC: I started as a birder really young. My folks owned a restaurant on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa and it was there that I first found my love for birds, wildlife and the outdoors. But the moment that really got me hooked was pretty awe-inspiring. I was sitting on a granite boulder on the mountain watching some Rock Hyraxes (Rabbit-like creatures) when a massive Black Eagle swooped in and picked one off right in front of me. I remember being transfixed by the bird’s power, beauty and mastery of flight. From that day on I started trying to see as many birds as possible.

Read more of the interview here

Birding - Purposeful Lollygagging

2011-08-25T23:50:00.000-07:00

Birding is the second fastest growing sport in America. Sixty-five million of us are rising at ungodly hours to steal through estuaries and woodlands hoping to spy the flash of a wing. Some of us spend fortunes enticing our avian friends to our back yards. Why?

(1) Birding is an opportunity for purposeful lollygagging. We must go slowly to catch a glimpse of the vast variety of birds that share the planet with us. A stroll through dew-laden meadows can garner sightings of warblers, finches, bluebirds, and meadow larks swaying on a stem. The seldom seen sora and the ubiquitous great blue heron are found in wetlands along with egrets and dabbling ducks. White pelicans that we associate with the sea migrate to fresh-water stopovers during winter like many other long distance travelers. Slowing down allows you to spot all of these wonderful variations in nature.

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #17 - Get Your Zzzz's Zuma to Spruzzo's

2011-08-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

One of the less-traveled trails in the Santa Monica Mountains is hidden in Zuma Canyon. Enjoy a leisure cruise up Bonsail Drive off Pacific Coast Highway, opposite Westward Beach and past celebrity haciendas with mounds of brilliant bougainvillea spilling over white walls to a dirt road that deposits you at the trail head. A steep accent to ocean view and canyon views is a favorite of equestrians so you may run into the horsey set on this trek. Most hikers take the trail up canyon with

Continue reading on Examiner.com

Surf’s UP - Master of the Waves

2011-08-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Did you ever try to imagine what it was like to be an expert surfer riding the biggest waves in the world? I spent hours watching surfers sift in and out of the waves at Surf Riders Beach in Malibu taking note of their every movement trying to capture in words what it must be like for them to ride the waves.

Clark Little’s incredible photography allowed me to be with him in the belly of thirty foot waves on the north shore of Oahu where he lives. He has mastered the fine art of capturing the dynamic energy of the waves with his camera. He rolls in the surf dangerously close to the crushing monsters to get the best shot.

If you look closely at this iconic shot you will see King Kamehameha the Great standing on the tip of the curl with his crested Helmut and sword in his hand. In my novel Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii, I describe the royals skittering across the waves on long koa boards. Wai-nani swims with her dolphin friend Eku and rides the waves with him, as well as her lover Makaha. Clarke’s award winning images inspired and excited my imagination. He took me as close to the shimmering heart of the waves as I ever will be.

Clark opened a second gallery on the mainland in Laguna Beach a year ago. Go to his site www.ClarkLittlePhotography.com

to view his gallery and receive notices of future events.

Blog Jog Day is today Aug 7

2011-08-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Blog Jog Day! Please enjoy my site then click over to, From A Writer’s POV to see what the next Blog has to offer! Lost in the links? You can always go back to the main Blog Jog Day Blog at and find a new link to jog from. Thank you for stopping by my site!

The Descent into the Grandest Canyon of All!

2011-07-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

Join me on the descent to the grandest canyon of all! Even though this article is a posted column on the National Association of Baby Booomer Women’s site, the raft through the Grand Canyon is a journey that can be enjoyed by anyone. All you need to bring on this "bucket list" trip is the right frame of mind and you will return with smile that will last quite some time.

Read more here at the National Association of Baby Boomer Women.

Adventure Travel Writer Linda Ballou Interviewed on Gathering Roads Radio Show

2011-07-09T21:25:00.000-07:00

Elaine Masters host of the women’s radio show Gathering Roads interviews adventure-travel writer Linda Ballou. In just 15 minutes you learn what makes Linda want to stretch her limits, and why she is in such a hurry to get to as many beautiful places she can before they are gone. Just in from rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and on her way to the lofty peaks in the San Juan Mountains, she takes time to share her excitement with you.

Listen to the Linda's interview here at Women's Radio

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #16-Wine Tasting Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains

2011-07-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

How Sweet It Is

Vineyards have been springing up all over the Santa Monicas, but are mainly concentrated in the corridor where Kanan Road and Mulholland Highway intersect. It is advisable to get your exercise before visiting the three tasting rooms in close proximity to the trail in Peter Strauss Ranch. The parking lot on Mulholland Highway for the shady .6 mile loop is directly across from The Old Place and the Cornell Winery & Tasting Room. Take the footbridge over Triunfo Creek to the entrance of the Lake Enchanto retreat where you might run into a peacock or two. The trailhead behind the outdoor theater takes you through a mesquite tree tunnel and a forest of stately oaks then loops back to a grove of giant eucalyptus. Free concerts take place here in the summer. (If this is not enough hike for you go my Great Outdoor day # 3 - Reagan Ranch. It also is in the vicinity.)

Continue reading on Examiner.com

Destination: The Great Abyss

2011-06-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

I am still savoring a phenomenal river trip with Grand Canyon Expeditions. Presently, I am writing my impressions while the experience is fresh. Meanwhile, I would like to share these videos with you. There is nothing quite like coming to know the Great Abyss, up close and personal.

Front row seat in the heart of the Grand Canyon

http://youtube/huT9ixg4MTo

Shaking in my boots at Lava Falls

http://youtube/2Nyy_5RJWi4

Grand Canyon Expeditions

Great Outdoor Day #15 - Where the Surf Speaks Loudly

2011-05-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

The sign reads “Malibu State Beach and Museum,” but fast-moving traffic on Pacific Coast Highway does not encourage one to stop and explore the Adamson House behind the block wall ensconced in honeysuckle and bougainvillea. The Spanish hacienda built in the ’20s was originally the beach home of the first family of Malibu

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Great Outdoor Day #15-Malibu-Where the Surf Speaks Loudly - Los Angeles Outdoor Travel | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-travel-in-los-angeles/great-outdoor-day-15-malibu-where-the-surf-speaks-loudly-review-1#ixzz1NCSIhpOv

First Book Stories: Wai-nani High Chiefess of Hawaii Featured at The Professional Writer Connection

2011-05-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

In celebration of authors, during the month of May, The Professional Writer Connection is hosting the first book stories of authors. Today, I am featured there with my first novel, Wai-nani.

Ano Ano (the seed) for Wai-nani High Chiefess of Hawai’i-Her Epic Journey took root in my heart thirty years ago when I lived on the north shore of Kauai. Since that time, I became a successful real estate sales person in Southern California, published numerous travel articles in national magazines and evolved as a human being. Self actualization on so many levels gave me the courage to tackle my long-buried dream of publishing the historical novel I’d quietly been working on all those years.
When I lived on Kauai, I became smitten with the great personage of Ka’ahumanu, a childless chiefess who was the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great. This was in the late 70’s, a time when

Read more here at The Professional Writer Connection

Read about my first visit to The Book Connection

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #14 Taking Time to Smell the Roses

2011-05-18T17:42:00.000-07:00

I never promised you a rose garden, but Descanso is one that will sate the appetite of any romantic. Garlands of pink, magenta, and yellow roses drape sweeping arbors that lead to a courtyard graced by a Roman fountain. Benches tucked into shady nooks beckon to lovers or friends to share. A meandering stream whispers as it steals sweetly through wooded dells. Each season brings a new face to this less-traveled garden. In January and February

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #14-Taking Time to Smell the Roses - Los Angeles Outdoor Travel | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-travel-in-los-angeles/great-outdoor-day-l-a-14-taking-time-to-smell-the-roses-review#ixzz1MkqGW4JW

Outdoor Fun on the Southwest Gulf of Florida is Featured in Real Travel Adventures Magazine

2011-05-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

My article Outdoor Fun on the Southwest Gulf of Florida is Featured on the site Real Travel Adventures.

A three-mile causeway from Fort Meyers across San Carlos Bay to the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva takes you back to a gentler time. People seem to move slower here where there are no stop signs, no street lights, and no structures over three stories. The year-round population of about 6,200 souls bulges to 20,000 in winter when snowbirds of all stripes migrate here from the frozen North. Twenty-five miles of biking trails along with a 100-mile kayaking trail called the Great Calusa Blueway, the best shelling in the world, and opportunities for sport fishing make this a great getaway for those who love the outdoors.

Read the article here at Real Travel Adventures;

Read the article here at this blog;

Praise for Lost Angel Walkabout from Across the Pond

2011-05-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am Thrilled with this review from the Quirky Traveller, Zoe Dawes, who hosts travel writer and blogging workshops in England.

5.0 out of 5 stars Feisty tales from a brilliant storyteller, 2 May 2011

By Zoe Dawes "Quirky Traveller" (Cumbria)

This review is from: Lost Angel Walkabout (Paperback)

So enjoyed this book. Linda has a really engaging way of writing and manages to change the style and tone of her stories depending on the circumstances. I was fascinated to read of her adventures in Canada and America; Alaska, the Yukon, New Hampshire, Hawaii and many more; evocative places that she brings to life with humour and insight. New Zealand is more familiar to me and I share her love of Maori culture and the way New Zealanders look after their environment.

This book made me want to take up riding again and acknowledge that I don't want to go white water rafting, much as I enjoyed reading of her risky exploits! But what lingers longest is a sense of place, spirituality and inspiration - and genuine enjoyment sharing Linda's "... quest to see as many magnificent places on the big blue before they are gone ..."

**Even more pleased to know that Zoe plans to share Lost Angel with her students!

Zoë Dawes
http://www.thequirkytraveller.com/about-zoe-dawes/

Travel Writing and Blogging Workshops | Quirky Traveller's Tales
www.thequirkytraveller.com
Travel Writing and Blogging Workshops Cumbria Lancashire

Renegade Way to Get Great Trips at CWC Presentation

2011-05-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

You are invited to hear my talk at the California Writer’s Club on May 21, 2011. I will give you tips on “How to Make Travel Writing Work for You” followed up with a slide show spotlighting the geographical setting of the stories in my book Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales.

A love triangle of extremes has proven to be a solid base for my writing. From my roots in Alaska I received strength, solitude, centeredness and respect for the awful power of nature. While living in Hawaii I found nurturing, a spiritual awakening and the heroine for my historical novel, Wai-nani—High Chiefess of Hawaii.

In proud California I obtained a degree in English Literature from Northridge University and a doctorate in urban savvy. In Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales, an eclectic mix of essays filled with chills, spills giggles and squeaks, I share my most meaningful outdoor adventures. I continue to enjoy opportunities here in Los Angeles for intellectual stimulation, exciting contacts and friends.

Each week I share a Great Outdoor Day in L.A. in my column on Examiner

I am also the Adventure Travel Expert for the National Association of Baby Boomer Women. Each month I post an article on www.NABBW.com
with nuts and bolts information about how to get more out of your outdoor explorations. I have enjoyed being an adventure travel writer for the last decade.

You may go to my website www.lindaballouauthor.com
to view a host of articles and photo essays. If you are not careful, you might learn the secret to youth!

The meeting on May 21, 2011 at 12:30pm is held at
St. Martin-In-The-Fields
7136 Winnetka Ave.
Canoga Park, Ca 91306

Members are Free. Guests pay $5.00

See you there!

Charms of the Grand Canyon - Interview with River Guide Marty Mathis

2011-04-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

The charms of the Grand Canyon have captured the imagination of those lucky enough to experience them ever since Powell did the first recorded run down the Colorado in 1869. Marty Mathis, Vice President of Grand Canyon Expeditions, is one of those people so taken by the magic of the canyon he has made sharing the canyon his life’s work. In my article “Not All Outfitters are Created Equal” I talked about what makes a good outfitter. In my interview with Marty, I think you will find he has all the right answers.

Read the rest of the interview here

Featured Writer for NATJA for the Month of May

2011-04-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am honored to be the featured writer on the North American Travel Journalist Association http://www.natja.org/

home page. I have been a member of NATJA for over a decade. It is a wonderful organization providing a platform and resources for expert, or budding travel writers alike. They help writers get their pieces placed and provide up to date information about what is happening in the travel world. Travel World International http://www.travelworldmagazine.com/ began as the publishing arm of the organization for members. It has grown into a very impressive online magazine with feature articles written by top professionals about trips around the globe. My interview in the spring issue appears here http://www.travelworldmagazine.com/node/147

This is a proud moment for me.

Linda Ballou, author

Lost Angel Walkabout, One Traveler's Tales

Great Outdoor Day # 13- Lake Cachuma-Godda Bless

2011-04-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

If you sneeze you will miss the entrance to Lake Cachuma Recreation Area midway between Santa Barbara and Los Olivos on Highway 154. The sparkling man-made lake flanked by the Santa Ynez and San Rafael Mountains fills a valley that was once a sacred meeting place for the Chumash people. Resting in the Pacific Flyway, (read more here at Examiner)

Not all Outfitters are Created Equal - Questions You Should Ask of Your Guides

2011-04-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

The story “Falling in the Footsteps of John Muir” in my book Lost Angel Walkabout, describes the scariest situation I’ve experienced in my travels. I tripped and fell upon a splintered log that broke two ribs. This would not have been so horrific, but I was in the heart of the High Sierras at about 10,000 feet surrounded by even taller granite spires that blocked cell phone transmissions.

The total medical arsenal of my guides consisted of one sleeping tablet. I was told the assessment of my medical situation was up to me. My young, inexperienced guides asked me what I wanted them to do! I told them I could not ride or walk five hours from the campsite to a hospital, and scribbled authorization for a helicopter on a paper bag.

This accident took place before I was a professional travel writer, and the experience taught me many lessons—most importantly that not all outfitters are created equal! When you are considering an outdoor adventure with an outfitter, ask them questions before putting your life in their hands.

Read the questions you should ask at NAABW

Rafting in the Grandest Canyon of All

2011-04-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Last April, I crawled out onto Shoshone Point on the South Rim and stared into the Great Abyss. It was a bit windy that day so I held onto a boulder to keep from being blown into oblivion. As I watched the fast moving clouds cast shadows upon the striated walls of amber, purple and mauve, I yearned to know the pulsing heart of the grandest gorge of them all. The terra cotta river carving its path a mile below held mysteries for me that I had to know. In May, I will meet the challenge of rafting the tumultuous Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Mode of transport—a motorized launch that gets through hairy rapids and down the entire 227 mile run in only eight days. This trip is perfect for people with time constraints who want to experience the thrill of the canyon without straining a muscle or risking an unwanted dip in bone-chilling water. The pontoon-craft used by Grand Canyon Expeditions seats 14-people and carries supplies for the all-inclusive holiday. This is an incredible time to be on the river with temps around 80 degrees, fewer rafters than in the full tilt summer season and a dazzling desert wildflower show. Visit the Grand Canyon and all of its beauty at Grand Canyon Expeditions.

Great Outdoor Day #12 - La Jolla Loop-Eye-popping Flower Forest

2011-03-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

La Jolla canyon is blanketed with the shaggy trunks of the giant coreopsis bursting with bright yellow clumps of daisies from Feb-May. Most families with small children stop at the base of the waterfall about ¾ miles into the trail. The boulder-step hike beyond the fall winds up the narrow gorge overlooking the streambed with willows and black walnut alive with birdsong. Steep switchbacks take the hiker through the flower forest to a serene backcountry meadow. The trail levels off through a tree tunnel of lavender-blue California lilac and leads to a pond lined with pussy willows. Nestled among the spreading coastal oak near the pond are picnic tables that invite the hiker to take a rest and enjoy lunch alfresco. Nearby is an overnight campsite.

Color me flattered – First Featured Adventure Travel Writer

2011-03-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to be the first featured adventure-travel writer in the new and improved Travel World International Magazine. The March issue is dedicated to adventure travel from “Hiking on the Edge” in China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge to “Following the Herd” in Tanzania. Editor, Donna M. Airoldi asked me some pointed questions about why I became a travel writer and how I got started. I had fun answering them and a lot more questions. Click here for my interview on page 60.

http://www.travelworldmagazine.com/node/147

Enjoy all the articles in this exciting issue dedicated to outdoor fun. http://www.travelworldmagazine.com/

I’m sure you will find a trip that rekindles your spirit of adventure

Home Sweet Home

2011-03-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

Why endure long, cramped flights to foreign lands when you can explore a wonderland of waterfalls on trails winding through lush forests here in the USA? Among other adventures, New England Hiking Holidays offers a six-day trip through the Pacific Northwest’s most scenic areas with stays at bucolic inns tucked in the woods.

The trip begins in Portland, a fun stop in itself. A spectacular drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway takes you across the Bridge of the Gods to rustic Skamania Lodge, home base for three nights. Within Columbia Gorge, first explored by Lewis and Clark, are more than 30 accessible waterfalls. A hike into Eagle Creek highlights everything that the Gorge has to offer; deeply cut gorge walls, rushing, water, crystalline air and towering trees.

Next a scenic drive to Mt. Hood with a stop to sample the famous cherries in the Hood River Valley. Two days are spent at the foot of Mt. Hood hiking into the heart of the forest to alpine lakes reflecting the snow-capped monarch. The last morning takes you to the Salmon River Trail though magnificent stands of old growth timber. NEHH always offers an easier and more challenging option on any given day. You are not compelled to stay with the group, but why not have the benefit of knowledgeable guides who spare you from making a wrong turn.

A blissful, carefree holiday is waiting for you right here at home.
June 19th - June 24th
June 26th - July 1st
All inclusive
5 days, 5 nights

http://www.nehh.com/

for complete itinerary and pricing

Email - nehh@aol.com

Call 1 800 869 0949 or (603) 356-9696.

Solstice Canyon - A Spring Bouquet

2011-03-04T09:00:00.001-08:00

Solstice Canyon has several trails with varying degrees of difficulty that take the hiker to one of four year-round waterfalls in the Santa Monicas. Follow the path tracing Solstice Creek and take the track on the right side of the bridge to Sun Rising Trail. After a quarter-mile ascent, you see a bright pool of sunshine glowing on the shimmering blue ocean far below. After winter rains the canyon is bursting with blooms that include Indian paint brush, pink morning glory, blue diks, and purple evening night shade. New buds lift their faces to the warming sun eager to join the spring bouquet. The Chumash understood nature’s ways and set fire to the hills clearing the way for new life. The recent Malibu fire that destroyed mansions has a silver lining that can be witnessed here in the form of wildflowers

Read more here at Examiner

What Dolphin Lovers are Saying About Wai-nani

2011-02-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

Read What Dolphin Lovers are Saying About
Wai-nani-High Chiefess of Hawaii-Her Epic Journey

Wai-nani was a joy to read! The action and sense of people and place builds with an authentic sense of ancient Hawaii. You have done an incredible amount of research! The interaction with the bottlenose dolphins is realistic for those of us who have developed an extraordinarily intimate relationship with them. I can certainly relate to feeling more freedom, embracement and joy in a water environment than a land based living!
With ALOHA, Roberta Goodman
WildDolphinSwimsHawaii.com

Lush storytelling at it’s very best

What a compelling story. Wai-nani's journey through the portion of Hawaiian history is truly an 'epic' tale in every sense of the word. So descriptively rich and sensually involving were the author's words that I found myself proceeding slowly through the pages, so as to savor, and the better to put myself in the skin of Wai-nani and her gripping transformations. So much of the description of Wai-nani's emotional evolution rang true as the way a woman's heart feels and expresses.

Wai-nani's relationship with her dolphin friends was the cherry on the top for me in as much as dolphins are pretty much the center pole of my life. The author added fantastical elements to the human/dolphin relationships but, knowing dolphins as I have come to, what is portrayed in the story about the interactions hints at some very real possibilities as we go back and re-capture what cultures like old Hawaii still have to offer us.
Muriel Lindsay-Dolphin Chronicles-Tybee Island

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. The dolphin interaction scenes were delightful. You really made the historical time and place come alive with your vivid descriptions and good story-telling. You're an excellent writer and the book was a very fun read.
Charlene Brinke Stevens, Marine Biologist

For Dolphins the Dance Is All There Is!

2011-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Dolphins blow air bubble rings and bounce then off their nose and swim through them Whales do a similar thing to form bubble nets they use to capture fish. But, dolphins do it just for fun. They also collect necklaces of seaweed they wear like jewelry exhibiting a sense of self- awareness and toss it from one to another just to pass the time of day.

They have exuberance other sea creatures lack and literally jump for joy in twisting arcs. They splash backwards on their tails and seem to be enjoying them-selves tremendously. They swim five times faster than any Olympic champion and can jump two stories high into the air. Dolphins are the sexiest creatures on the planet with no pretense to monogamy. They have sex 365 days a year, often more than once, and with different partners. They do it just for fun. It is a brief belly to belly encounter, but both male and female dolphins seem to love doing it.

For Dolphins the Dance is all there is. A highly recommended state of being

In my book Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii and all that is Hawaiian history, emerges Wai-nani, a reflection of the passionate chiefess Ka’ahumanu. Like all Islanders, she is a water baby finding pleasure, sustenance, solace, wisdom and courage in the ground and vibrant sea.

Hawaiian women enjoyed sports, were trained in martial arts, played active roles in decision-making and participated in wars. They communed with the gods through hula and ritualistic ceremonies. Wai-nani’s bond with Eku a playful and communicative dolphin – propels her on a mythological journey couched in magical realism.

The video below captures the zest for life of the other intelligence!
View the video at you tube;

Lost Angel Walkabout – One Traveler’s Tales is a Bronze Winner

2011-02-23T14:20:00.000-08:00

Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales bagged the Bronze in the North
American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) 2010 competition in the travel
Narrative/Guidebook category! This awards competition, now in its 19th year, honors
the “best of the best” in travel writing and photography.

“We were extremely pleased with this year’s (500) entries; they were outstanding, both in quality of work and range of coverage, “said Helen Hernandez, CEO of NATJA the second largest travel media association in North America.

NATJA also publishes Travel World International Magazine. Learn more about Linda Ballou, featured author and her winning book Lost Angel Walkabout, in her interview to appear in the spring issue.

http://www.natja.org/

Color Me Proud

Conversations with Renee on Blog Talk Radio

2011-02-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Linda Ballou shares highlights in her new book Lost Angel Walkabout filled with chills, spills, giggles, and squeaks, along with her secrets on "How to Make Travel Writing Work for You."
Linda shared her travel writing tales relating her experience while kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, birding and hiking about the globe. She captures profiles of people she has met in “naturally high places” for her newest book, “Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales.”

Join her in this fun "Conversation with author Yolanda Renee" on blog talk radio.

Get Ready For Good Times - Part II

2011-02-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

In the first part of my article, Get Ready for Good Times I talked about preparing your body for adventure. The second part continues with a few tips about developing a mindset that will allow you to enjoy your journey more. Please join me there for Get Ready for Good Times Part II at NAABW.

Linda Ballou is the Adventure Travel Expert for the National Association of Baby Boomer Women.

Author and Travel Writer Linda Ballou on Blog Talk Tadio Show "Conversations with Renée"

2011-02-16T13:07:00.001-08:00

Linda will share her new book Lost Angel Walkabout and her secrets on How to Make Travel Writing Work for You --Thursday, February 17, 2011 @ 3:00 PM EST/6 p.m. PT. Call in with your questions at (347) 215-9536

“Conversations with Renee,” is an interactive, live internet talk-radio show that focuses on authors and writers of all genres and mediums. Host Yolanda Renee explore the careers, advice, writing style and personality of each guest.

Callers are encouraged (347) 215-9536 to listen or ask questions. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yolandarenee.
Linda will share her travel writing tales relating her experience while kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, birding and hiking about the globe. She captures profiles of people she has met in “naturally high places” for her newest book, “Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales.”

True Friendships on Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T17:58:00.001-08:00

There's nothing on this earth to be prized more than true frienships. Even when that friendship is between a dolphin and a dog.

Let's be friends! If they can do it, then so can we.

My Valentine - The Healing Power of Dolphins

2011-02-13T23:40:00.001-08:00

People who swim with dolphins often talk about the acceptance in the globelike eye of the Dolphin. They feel a sense of a non-judge mental intelligence, even unconditional love.

Great results from dolphin therapy with children who suffer from Down ’s syndrome, people with neurological disorders, autism, pain relief from spinal injuries, muscular paralysis and depression have been reported. Dolphin Therapy started in the early seventies. Dolphin therapy is not a cure, but it seems to help alleviate symptoms.

Children are asked to swim, touch, feed or pat the animals. It is a happy playful time that produces a change in hormones, endorphins and enzymes. Sonar pulses from the dolphins help bring both sides of the brain into sync creating a heightened awareness and increased learning ability.

Results noticed are:
Strong Emotional Change
Children calm down
Improved communication
Increased attention span
Increased confidence and self esteem
Improved gross motor skills
Better co-ordination
Better eye contact, smiling, laughing, touching
Better immune system

There are about a dozen dolphin therapy centers around the globe. Florida and Hawaii have the most but they are also located in England, New Zealand and Israel. They are not cheap about $2000 a week, and results are not guaranteed. Still it is an exciting alternative medical approach to serious problems.

This video shows how a young boy in Brazil received good results from being with a pink Amazon River Dolphin

February is Dolphin Love Month – Being Part of the Pod

2011-02-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

One of the most exciting incidents in my life took place in the Sea of Cortez. I was kayaking up a deep, narrow channel when a pod of at least 100 dolphins came up behind me and swam all around me. The chuffing air puffing rhythmically from their blow holes as the arced with powerful grace in synchronicity all around me for about fifteen minutes was incredibly exciting. For a few fleeting moments I was a part of the pod. It gave me the real sense of a connection with the natural world. They soon were gone and off to a party I wasn’t invited to, but I will always cherish that incident.

There is a big difference in swimming with captive trained dolphins then an encounter with those in the wild. In captive situations with dolphins that are trained and used to interacting with humans people enjoy a much more intimate contact. At the Kiwalo Basin Marine Lab in Hawaii, Lou Herman has been training and testing dolphins for decades. He has learned that they are great mimics. If you roll over in the water they will. Even if you are not in the water they will take directions by imitating your movements. He has not broken the Rosetta code of their language, of clicks and bleats, but he is definitely communicating with them with hand and verbal signals.

He has found that dolphins are highly adaptable and clever. They will admire themselves in mirrors indicating self-awareness. They can understand numerous hand and voice signals and have cognitive skills that are much more advanced than even the chimp. There are 2,000 different sentences that they understand and will respond too. They also have their own language! Bleeps, whistles, clicks make up a constant conversation they have with one another. Each dolphin has his own identifying whistle, just as we have a name. Their language is not just made of words it is made of touch and they intuit a good deal in their tribal interactions.

February is Dolphin Love Month

2011-02-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

Consider this . . . Man is the dream of the dolphin . . . the "other Intelligience" may be in charge . . . not us.

In an attempt to make the interaction between Wai-nani, and her dolphin friend Eku, in my historical novel Wai-nani High Chiefess of Hawai’i, I learned a lot about these enigmatic creatures. Wai-nani spends half of her life in the ocean, so it did not seem far-fetched that she would make friends with playful marine mammals.

Eku rescues her from drowning when she is about ten. Dolphin rescues are on record since the time of the Ancient Greece. If they see a human drifting into a vertical position they will lift them to the surface to prevent drowning. She begins a communication with him with clicks and whistles and they form a bond. She rubs his tender belly making him tremble with delight. He in turn gives her a massage of sonic blasts that cause her to tingle all over.

As recently as 2007 a surfer in Monterey CA was being attacked by a shark and a pod of dolphin formed a protective ring around the man and drove off the shark. Our kinship with the dolphins is greater than with any other sea creature. They are warm-blooded mammals who nurse their young and must breathe air. Unlike us their breathing is not automatic. If they loose consciousness they will drown.

While swimming after a dolphin in the waters off the Big Island, I ran into the “Dolphin People.” They are a group who follow dolphin movements around the Islands in an attempt to make spiritual connections with them. There is a very large need it seems to make contact with this “other intelligence.” Anthropologist, Loren Eisley, calls it the yearning to end great loneliness of the human species....why go to Mars when the mystery of an alien intelligence is with us and it is in a pleasing, graceful energetic body.

This video called The Dream depicts the universal appeal of dolphin and how we have tried to connect with their energy and spirit.

Your comments about your own dolphin encounters are welcome.

Great Outdoor Day #10 - Ride on in The Ventura River Preserve

2011-02-01T22:16:00.000-08:00

If you enjoy a well-mannered, fit horse with a private guide instead of the usual nose-to-tail walk offered at most stables, you will love the two-hour forest ride with Ojai Valley Trail Rides. You can trot and canter along when your guide gives the cue that the footing is safe. Ojai Trails is located at the edge of the open space of the Ventura River Preserve. You can also hike the miles of trails that meander through the oak canopy that shades Wills and Rice Creeks up to crest lines with majestic views of the surrounding Topotopo Mountains. In spring a dazzling display of wildflowers brighten the pockets of grasslands and meadows along the way.
Read more here at Examiner;

Adventurer Susan Alcorn gives Lost Angel Thumbs Up!

2011-02-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

Susan Alcorn does for the Bay area what I do for L. A. and surrounds on Examiner.com
We both love to hike and share our favorite outings with other outdoor enthusiasts.
She has written a great book-We’re in the Mountains and Not over the Hill- that you can purchase at her site http://www.backpack45.com/. I was quite pleased to have a kindred spirit read my own book Lost Angel Walkabout. Even more pleased with her response to my work

Review by Susan Alcorn

Beautifully descriptive passages, inspiring adventures, and reminders of the bounty of nature combine to make Lost Angel Walkabout an intriguing read. Author Linda Ballou's stories of adventure will leave you breathless. In this fascinating collection of trips she's taken far and wide, she not only goes horseback riding on perilous cliff side trails in Ireland, but also learns how to jump fences. On the Green River near Moab, Utah and the Salmon River of Idaho, she starts out on kayak trips that she thinks will be mostly a serene glide. Sometimes it is peaceful and idyllic, other times... "I found myself flying out of my boat and falling into the center of a six-foot hole." As in most of her tales, Ballou emerges from her experience -- in this case being hurtled downstream in the Salmon River -- feeling stronger and even more courageous. Note of disclosure: I received Lost Angel Walkabout as a review copy with the option of reviewing it if I was so inclined. I was happy to be able to give it a 5-star review. I am also a travel writer and share Ballou's love of adventure and the outdoors. She does not travel as a tourist, she travels as an adventurer seeking to immerse herself in the culture and surroundings of her destination.

Susan’s Examiner Column
http://www.examiner.com/hiking-in-san-francisco/susan-alcorn

Outdoor Fun on the Southwest Gulf of Florida

2011-01-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

A three-mile causeway from Fort Myers across San Carlos Bay to the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva takes you back to a gentler time. People seem to move slower here where there are no stop signs, no street lights, and no structures over three stories. The year-round population of about 6,200 souls bulges to 20,000 in winter when snowbirds of all stripes migrate here from the frozen North. Twenty-five miles of biking trails along with a 100-mile kayaking trail called the Great Calusa Blueway, the best shelling in the world, and opportunities for sport fishing make this a great getaway for those who love the outdoors.

A stunning 11-mile sweep of white sand washed by turquoise water fringes the southwest shores of the islands facing the Gulf of Mexico. Mansions of the sanded gentry and resorts line the beach awaiting the migrating flocks. The cozy Island Inn, splashed with happy Caribbean colors, has served as a home away from home for returning generations for over 100 years. Gracious grounds shaded by royal palms, a bountiful shelling beach, and arguably the best view of the sunset on Sanibel, make this a favorite spot for weddings and family celebrations. The newly remodeled traditional restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, and liquor, for the first time in the Inn’s illustrious history. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in the sunny lounge before heading out for a day of adventure.

The Stone Crab, about a half mile from the Inn, is a local hangout with great seafood at reasonable prices. Sanibel voted against street lights that could reduce one’s ability to witness the intense beauty of the heavens, so a moonlight stroll to the restaurant is especially nice. This decision is also a courtesy to the light-sensitive loggerhead turtles that return here to breed from the beginning of May to October.

You can rent a bicycle at the Inn and pedal over to the 6,200-acre “Ding” Darling Refuge which occupies about half of the island. A four-mile road winds through mudflats and mangrove forests of the National Wildlife Refuge established in 1962, just one year before the causeway opened bringing throngs of tourists and development.

The bird haven is best seen by bicycle because it allows you to easily pull over to investigate the nooks in the mangrove forests where ibis, anhinga, and night green herons roost. Be sure to stop at the viewing tower to glass the tidal flats where flocks of white pelicans congregate on the sand bars, and roseate spoonbills dabble for a meal. Tarpon Bay Kayak offers kayak and tram tours of the refuge.

Kayaking is the best way to explore the endless waterways in this region that at low tide are often too shallow for motorized craft. I chose Adventure Kayak in captivating Captiva, Sanibel’s little sister to the north. Adventure Kayaks, owned and operated by Brian Houston, was the first kayaking company on the island. Brian is an expert who takes time to teach the greenest novice how to maneuver his top-of-the-line kayaks. It is a tremendous pleasure to glide through the water in an easily maneuvered craft that is very sensitive to steering cues.

A long-term resident of the region, Brian is chock full of local lore and is a strong advocate for environmental protections. He spotted the many birds we passed by in the primordial mangrove tunnels of the island refuge of Buck Key, imparting specific knowledge of their habits. We were so close to many of the birds like the tri-colored heron that I didn’t need binoculars to see them clearly. Part of our outing was on segment of the Great Calusa Blueway, a paddling trail used by the indigenous Calusa tribe that extends through these coastal waters from Cayo Costa to the Imperial River in Bonita Springs. You can paddle bite-size chunks of the trail with stops off for good eats on the way. (Maps of the trail and kayak outfitters on the trail are available at the link below.)

After a hearty lunch at the Tween Waters Inn beach bar, I met up with Brian’s son John, owner of Native Guides. In his custom motorized launch, he takes folks sport fishing, shelling at Cayo Costa State Park, for a sunset joy ride, or whatever your pleasure might be. When I arrived, he was filleting grouper for his last bunch of guests and feeding the innards to the pelicans and herons lined up for the feast. Native Guides offers a day trip to Pine Island for a tasty seafood feast at the Tarpon Bay Lodge and then a guided walk on the Calusa Natural Heritage Trail. A student of the indigenous Indians, John delights in imparting his knowledge about them. Born on Captiva, he knows every aspect of the region. He took me to a sleepy lagoon populated by nesting osprey and then for a spin around North Captiva where damage from Hurricane Charlie that struck on Friday the 13th 2004 can still be seen today. We stopped at Red Pass just as a burnt orange globe dropped into the sea and a luminescent mauve and lavender glow lit the horizon to the east.

Bring a hearty appetite to the splashy Keylime Bar and Grill in the heart of tiny Captiva and enjoy live music any time of day. The seafood antipasto, a mix of clams, mussels, and squid in a wine-lemon broth will excite the most discerning fruit de mere aficionado. It is just minutes from pristine Captiva beach with billowy sand fringed with white surf perfect for an afternoon of lollygagging.

It’s hard not to have fun here with so many easily accessed outdoor things to do. The best time to come is fall, winter, and spring. Christmas week is high season, so it’s best to avoid the deluge in the last two weeks of December. You can expect any kind of weather. Brilliant cloudless skies can be blanketed in mushrooming gray in a matter of minutes. Be prepared for tropical squalls in between sunshine and blustery winds.

My last evening was spent strolling with other shell seekers along the beach in front of the Island Inn. Winter storms decorate the shores with lightning whelks, Scotch bonnets, starfish, horseshoe crabs, conch, and more. There is a display of prized shells collected over the century by guests in the lobby of the Inn, but if you want to learn more, visit the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum for the finest collection in the western hemisphere. The sunset of pastel pink, periwinkle blue and lavender stippled against yellow gold sky remains my favorite keepsake of this very special place preserved by loving generations for us all to enjoy.

Note: There is one land taxi on the Islands and no other public transport.
Water taxies and Captiva Cruises take travelers to outer islands.

The Island Inn
http://www.islandinnsanibel.com/

Email:info@islandinnsanibel.com

1-800-851-5088

Adventure Sea Kayak Wildlife Tours
Brian Houston 239-579-6000
John Houston 239-822-3337
http://www.kayak-captiva.com/

Tween Rivers Marina, 15961 Captiva, Drive Captiva Island, Florida 33924

The Great Calusa Blueway
http://www.greatcalusablueway.com/

For general information go to
http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/contact.asp

Great Outdoor Day #9-Cozy Dell Trail in Ojai-As Sweet as it Sounds

2011-01-20T09:18:00.000-08:00

About three miles north of Ojai on the Maricopa Highway (Hwy 33) there is a pullout marked Cozy Dell Trail. Stop here! The instant you enter the sweetest trail in Ojai you are enveloped in cool green. Eighteen gentle switchbacks take you persistently upward to expansive views. Lacy maidenhair ferns and dewy miner’s lettuce are happy here shaded by oak woodlands and

Read more here; http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-travel-in-los-angeles/great-outdoor-day-9-cozy-dell-trail-ojai-as-sweet-as-it-sounds-review

Lost Angel Walkabout Showcase at Distant Lands Traveller's Bookstore

2011-01-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

Linda Ballou presents a slide show highlighting the geographical settings in her travel collection Lost Angel Walkabout -an eclectic mix of chills, spills, giggles and squeaks on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is Free. Public parking across the street is also free. Such a deal.

Distant Lands Traveller’s Bookstore & Outfitter
20 S. Raymond, Pasadena, Ca 91105

Phone: 800-310-3220

See you there!

Adventure Travel Expert for the National Association of Baby Boomer Women

2011-01-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce that I am the Adventure Travel Expert Columnist for The
National Association of Baby Boomer Women

In my column I impart travel news and advice.
My first article Get Ready for Good Times encourages
you to take the time to prepare for outdoor explorations
so that you may receive the maximum benefit from
your adventures!

Please join me there at NAABW.

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #8 – Satwiwa, Where the World is Safe and Warm

2011-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

When humans could speak with animals and the world was “safe and warm,” the Chumash Indians came up Big Sycamore Canyon carrying bounty from the sea to trade with the Indians that lived at Satwiwa, aka Rancho Sierra Vista. Once a year the tribes of Gabriolino, Tongva and Chumash would meet in the vast meadow at the top of the 8-mile climb to discuss the hunting and ceremonial plans of the year. Today the meadow framed by Boney Ridge, a volcanic bluff that shelters the canyon, is honeycombed with hiking trails.

Read more here; http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-travel-in-los-angeles/great-outdoor-day-l-a-8-satwiwa-where-the-world-is-safe-and-warm

Top Travel Writing Book Picked for 2010

2011-01-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

Lost Angel Walkabout; One Traveler’s Tale was selected by Ellen Barone, adventure-travel journalist and photographer, for the top travel writing book in 2010.

It is exciting to be included on a list of travel writing luminaries like Tim Cahill and Rolf Potts, both writers I emulate and admire.

Check out the list. I plan to read all of them!
http://sanctuare.tumblr.com/thelist

Happy Travels

Linda

DOLE Pineapple Celebrates its First Float in the 2011 Rose Parade

2011-01-01T14:08:00.000-08:00

Dole brings to life the aloha spirit of Hawaii with company’s first float in the 2011Rose Parade. Dole is celebrating the unsurpassed beauty of Hawaii, where the company was founded in 1851, with this floral salute and gives special thanks to all the DOLE fans around the world. Polynesian and fire dancers will flank the “Living Well in Paradise” float which features the Hawaiian King Kamehameha, five waterfalls, whimsical monkeys, colorful birds and of course, fresh and healthy fruit grown by DOLE just for the Rose Parade.

My book Wai-nani; High Chiefess of Hawaii is a celebration of the Hawaiian people of old. Through the eyes of high chiefess, Wai-nani, experience the Hawaiian society as it existed when Captain James Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bay in 1779. Ride the billowing seas with Eku, the wild dolphin she befriends; learn why Wai-nani defies ancient laws and harsh taboos of the Island people; share the love she received from all who knew her and learn how she rose to become the most powerful woman in old Hawaii.

Purchase your signed copy here at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

Heartfelt Review of Lost Angel Walkabout from Defending the Pen

2010-12-17T16:50:00.000-08:00

It is a very nice holiday gift to think my work helped someone through a very rough patch. Yolanda from Defending the Pen has posted a very nice review of Lost Angel Walkabout. Here’s a snippet of it;

Recent poor health had me looking for an escape. When I picked up Linda Ballou’s book LOST ANGEL WALKABOUT, I found my salvation. Linda combines her most favorite things to create a book of adventures like nothing I have ever read. She blends her love of travel, and writing, and in several stories her love of horses, and with unsurpassed skill she takes the reader with her to places like Raven’s River, Alaska, to windswept Donegal Bay, Ireland, to Waipio Valley in Hawaii, and North Island, New Zealand to name just a few. Linda not only takes you on a journey to exciting places and distant lands she shares herself along the way. Her stories are personal, enlightening, and captivating. . .

Read more at Defending the Pen

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #7 – Sunset Sampler

2010-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Temescal Gateway Park tucked in a canyon off of Sunset Canyon in Pacific Palisades is a gem that can be enjoyed year round. An “Alice in Wonderland” tree-tunnel beckons the hiker to enter the well-worn trail that meanders beside a creek. While the rest of the trails are dust-laden and dry in summer this footpath remains a soothing oasis. A marine breeze wafts up the canyon, refreshing the hiker.
When you reach a seasonal waterfall, the trail makes a steep ascent to the ridge line. The good news is that the bun-burning portion of this track is in the shade.

Read more at Examiner

***
I walk in beauty on the good red road
Linda Ballou
www.lindaballouauthor.com

Review of Lost Angel Walkabout at Rolf Pott’s Vagabonding

2010-12-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely over the top with what Rolf Pott’s review had to say about Lost Angel Walkabout.

Rolf is one of the finest young travel writers of our time. I especially enjoyed Marco Polo’s, “Didn’t Go There” which displays good writing and tells readers what goes into creating a professional piece.

This review makes me feel very proud and happy that I carried through with the effort to share my reflections with readers.

Read the review her at Vagablogging;

I walk in beauty on the good red road.

Linda Ballou

http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

For all purchases made at my website there is free gift wrap and shipping during December.

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #6 – Point Dume Bluff Trail

2010-12-06T17:08:00.000-08:00

Hike up the well-traveled path that sashays though a meadow spiked with lupine and California poppies in the spring. In February you will walk through mounds of brilliant yellow coreopsis, a shaggy form of rare daisy endemic to the region. Once aloft, enjoy majestic views of Windward Beach. If it looks familiar it is because it was used as the backdrop for the Bay Watch series and countless commercials.

Read more at L.A. Outdoor Travel Examiner

Jack London and Me

2010-12-02T23:11:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize it when I was growing up in gold country, but I was walking in the footsteps of America's best-loved adventure writer. That's me standing in front of Jack London's Wolf House. Over the years our paths have crossed many times. I feel a special connection to a man I never met, but whose actions and deeds inspire me still.
Read the full story at YourLife is a Trip by clicking on the link.
http://www.yourlifeisatrip.com/home/jack-london-and-me.html

The Twelve Days Before Christmas

2010-12-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me a copy
of Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii.

On the second day of Christmas
My true love sent to me two copies of
Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales,
And one copy of Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii.

As a thank you, any book ordered from
the website comes Gift-wrapped with
free shipping.
http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

A Book is a Gift That Keeps on Giving

2010-11-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

Wai-nani - A New Voice From Old Hawaii

Through Wai-nani’s eyes experience the Hawaiian society as it existed when Captain James Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bay in 1779, ride the billowing seas with Eku the wild dolphin she befriends, join her in a celebration of the people of old.

Available at all major online distribution sites, Kindle Reader and my wesbite, http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

Signed copy with free shipping and gift wrap, if purchased on Linda’s site
$17.95

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #5 - Santa Cruz Island

2010-11-29T22:09:00.001-08:00

About an hour north of Los Angeles a spectacular day trip to the Island of Santa Cruz awaits you. Turn up at the Island Packer dock in Ventura Harbor about 9 AM with a lunch in your backpack and leave your worries behind. After an hour-long cruise across the channel, passengers are dropped off at Scorpion Anchorage and admonished to be back by 4 PM or plan on spending the night on the island. Some choose to do exactly that, but most fan out on separate day hikes.

Read more here at L.A.Outdoor Travel Examiner

***
I walk in beauty on the good red road
Linda Ballou

Purchase a copy of Lost Angel Walkabout: One Travelers Tales or Wai-nani from my website during December, 2010 and I will send you a signed gift-wrapped copy with free shipping.
http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

Giving Thanks!

2010-11-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

It is time to count our blessings and say thanks to those who have supported us. You know who you are and I want you to know how much I appreciate you. May you enjoy the bounty of the season! November is a special time to get outdoors in Southern California.

I will be hiking my turkey off with friends. If you are in L.A. don’t forget to look at my L.A. Outdoor Travel Examiner.com column for the Great Outdoor roadmaps I have provided for you to enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

***

I walk in beauty on the good red road.

Linda Ballou

http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #4 - A Trail to Share

2010-11-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Trail mates come in all shapes, sizes, and attitudes. Get outside of your career coop and hike with someone that gives you fresh points of view. Learn while you burn unwanted calories on this easily accessed 2.5 mile loop.

The Sara Wan trailhead located on Pacific Coast Highway at the foot of Corral Canyon is one of the Santa Monica Conservancy’s newer acquisitions. The well-maintained path is wide enough for two and switches back and forth to heavenly vistas. Bear to the left on your way up canyon and enjoy the murmur of Corral Creek as you begin your hike. Fog chased by a cool breeze off the Pacific drifts through stands of eucalyptus, alder, . . . read more here

Lost Angel Walkabout – The Perfect Travel Companion Reviewed at One Writer’s Journey

2010-11-12T18:02:00.000-08:00

“She embraces life and the adventures it holds. All this is evident in her writing and her presentation” says Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz of One Writer's Journey. She reviews Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales at her blog

Lost Angel Review

I found Linda’s collection of thirty stories to be entertaining and informative. She has a knack for drawing the reader into her adventure, so I felt like I rode next to her as she attempted to jump her horse in Ireland and struggled with her up a mountainside in New Zealand. She has an affinity with nature and strives to leave no footprint as she travels. She doesn’t stay in five star hotels or fancy resorts. She sleeps in tents, bed and breakfasts, and small out of the way home situations. She enjoys the local food as well as the local scenery. She doesn’t shy away from trying to drive a car on the “wrong side of the street” or ride a horse into a snow storm. She embraces life and the adventures it holds. All this is evident in her writing and her presentation.

Read more at One Writer’s Journey

Buy the book directly from the author and receive a signed copy and free shipping. www.lindaballouauthor.com

Also, available at Amazon in both soft-cover and a Kindle Reader Edition.

Lost Angel Walkabout – author interviewed at One Writer’s Journey

2010-11-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

Linda Ballou embraces life and the adventures it holds in her new book Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler's Tales. In this interview she explains why it was so important for her to take these journeys and why she wanted to get these reflections and impressions into the hearts and minds of readers. Read the interview here at One Writer’s Journey.

Order Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler’s Tales at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

and get a signed copy with free shipping.

It is also available at Amazon in both soft-cover and a Kindle Reader Edition.

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #3 Reagan Ranch

2010-11-10T20:56:00.000-08:00

Walks let my mind relax as my eyes widen and soften and take in a larger field. Smelling the gray clouds lying wet on the land like a cool blanket reminds me of my Alaskan home. Home no longer really, but images forever stained upon an impressionable mind. I walked then, as I do now, for hours feeling the cool air on my skin, blood fired, synapses snapping, bones strengthening, muscles lengthening. Blood flowing to cheeks cool to the touch with heart warm and mind pondering all that I come across.

https://www.examiner.com/outdoor-travel-in-los-angeles/great-outdoor-day-l-a-3-reagan-ranch

Your Life is a Trip - Book Giveaway Nov 11 -21, 2010

2010-11-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

We invite you to celebrate Your Life Is A Trip authors by helping us get the word out about our first FREE book giveaway. Post the contest on your facebook page, shout out on twitter, link, blink, email your friends and family... anything to help us introduce new readers to Your Life Is A Trip and showcase your fellow contributors' books.

From November 11-21, 2010, we'll be GIVING AWAY one of our author's books each day. All readers have to do to win is sign up to receive the FREE Your Life is a Trip newsletter, and you're automatically in the random drawing. If you're already a subscriber, great! You could be a winner.

The books are as diverse as our contributors, and they'll whisk you away to the jungle tribes of Papua New Guinea, buying art in a Mexican prison, a journey of self-discovery and into the world of a falconer. Pack the book for holiday travel, sneak a peek and then pass it on to someone you care about, enjoy it in front of a crackling fire or place it on your nightstand before you drift off into dreamtime. We support books, bibliophiles and our Your Life is a Trip authors.

And remember, you can purchase great reads by our members anytime in the TRIP SHOP.
Mark your calendars and join us for the trip...

BOOK GIVEAWAY SCHEDULE

November 11, 2010: Morning Light by Nancy King

November 12, 2010: Life Is A Trip: The transformative magic of travel by Judith Fein.

November 13, 2010: Digital Storytelling (Second Edition): A Creator’s Guide To Interactive Entertainment by Carolyn Handler Miller

November 14, 2010: Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean: A Guide to 50 Extraordinary Adventures for the Seasoned Traveler by Don Mankin and Shannon Stowell

November 15, 2010: Powerful Places Guidebooks by Elyn Aviva and Gary White.

November 16, 2010: The Mystery of Journeys Crowne: An Adventure Drawing Game by K. Michael Crawford.

November 17, 2010: Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales by Linda Ballou

November 18, 2010: Falconer on the Edge: A man, his birds, and the vanishing landscape of the American West by Rachel Dickinson

November 19, 2010: Tony Hillerman Landscapes: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn by Anne Hillerman and Don Strel.

November 20, 2010: Bruar's Rest by Jess Smith

November 21, 2010: Mr. Ding's Chickenfeet: On a Slow Boat from Shanghai to Texas by Gillian Kendall

http://www.yourlifeisatrip.com/
Inspiring Your Travels and Your Life

Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #2 –Hondo Canyon

2010-11-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

I am the L.A. Outdoor Travel Examiner for Examiner.com

The articles in this column provide insider tips for great outdoor days in L.A., or adventures that are easily done in a day trip. They will begin with the suggested adventure details and end in sweat-band friendly eateries. You will learn historical tidbits about a given region to enhance your experience as well ss points of interest nearby a trail head that can round off and great outdoor day. I hope you will join me.

Here is Great Outdoor Day in L.A. #2 just for you.

http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-travel-in-los-angeles/great-outdoor-day-l-a-2-hondo-canyon

Big Fun on the Way

2010-11-01T22:59:00.000-07:00

I have been chosen to be the Examiner for Los Angeles Outdoor Travel Column on Examiner.com

These articles will provide insider tips for great outdoor days in L.A.and surrounding areas. They will begin with hike details and end in a sweat-band friendly eatery. You will learn historical tidbits about a given region that will enhance your experience, as well as points of interest nearby the trail head that can round off and great outdoor day. I hope you will join me.

You can find me here at Examiner.

The Good of Going to the Mountains Part 3

2010-10-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Continues From Part 2

After a saunter through the woods on a path of soft moss, we crossed a wooden bridge spanning a ravine where deep pools carved by the charging water serve as swimming holes for the intrepid in the summer. Soon, we arrived at the back door of the Mt. Washington Hotel. The last of the grand hotels, built in the 1800s, is a bit fussy for the Teva-set, but we were graciously allowed to enjoy a drink on the veranda. From there we watched the cog-train chug its way up the flank of Mt. Washington.

Mt. Washington was called the Place of the Storm Spirit by the Native Americans, who viewed it as the sacred home of the Great Spirit. The moody monarch, generally crowned with dark swirling clouds with a white cape on the shoulder was plainly visible in the cloudless blue sky. From the top of the mountain one may see Maine dotted with lakes, The Green Mountains of Vermont, the settlements of Bartlett and Conway, the four-toothed summit of Mt. Chocorua, and the other main peaks of the Presidential Range.

While relaxing at the hotel, our guide, Graham, who calls the Mt. Washington Valley home, shared the story of the Willey family with us. The Willeys were warned that they had built their home at the base of avalanche- prone mountain. So, they built a small shelter away from the house. When they heard the inevitable rumbling of a slide, the family of five went into the shelter. Unfortunately, the shelter, not the house, was crushed with all the Willeys in it. The site of the Willey family’s demise in 1826 was painted by Thomas Cole and is recognized as the best and most famous work of the White Mountain landscape artists.

Reading Gods in Granite, by Robert L. McGrath, a comprehensive collection of the art of the White Mountains is loaded with color plates and will deeply enrich your visit.

During our visit we hiked to Arethusa Falls, which at 200 feet is the highest of falls in the Whites, Sabbaday Falls, a picturesque series of cascades into a narrow channel, as well as Avalanche Falls in the dramatic Flume Gorge. But of the over one hundred waterfalls in the mountains, Crystal Cascade was my favorite. This most alluring rush of white plunges into staggered pools formed by boulders the size of a Volkswagen Bug. Twisted birch cling to the sheer granite walls that survive winters with snow so deep the cross country skiers have only the tree tops to find their way home. Nichol is one of the stout-hearted young men who carry their skis up to Tuckerman’s ravine, a huge glacier bowl above the falls, for a death-defying run down the mountain in the spring.

The bottom leg of the Basin-Cascade trail is a 2-mile mama bear run that follows the Pemigewasset River. It was to be our last stroll through burgundy and bronze, spiked with happy chartreuse leaves over head. Light streaming through the cathedral that is the woods spotlighted our path. I felt fortunate to have this quiet time free of cell-phone bleeps calling me back to duty. My internal tape had run clean during my week in the mountains, leaving me free to absorb the beauty all around me. I just hoped this calm feeling inside would stick. When we reached the Basin, a bowl gouged into solid rock from 25,000 years of hydraulic pounding, Nichol pointed to a rock formation under the water.

“They say that is the foot of the Old Man of the Mountain.”
“He must have been the first hiker to come here,” I said. “I bet it did him some good.”

New England Hiking Holidays offers all inclusive five-day trips from late June to early October. Prices before Sept. 18th $1,495. After Sept. 18th $1,595. In July and August they offer a gentle New England exploration that covers much of the same terrain of the other five day trips but focuses more on the rich history of the region. They also have 2-3 day trips available from May through Oct. from $885-$995.1-800-869-0949
for reservations or more information about the other hikes they offer about the globe go to http://www.nehikingholidays.com/. e-mail NEHH@aol.com

If You Go
The fall is the favored time to visit the White Mountains. If you want these dates you must book early. Late spring, in between the bugs of summer and the mud of later winter, is also wonderful time to go when the meadow are carpeted with wildflowers.

If you are unable to reach higher elevations on your own steam you make catch the scenic rail trip out of North Conway to the depot in Crawford Notch. http://www.conwayscenic.com/

1-800-232-5251

The Cog Railway, founded in 1866 chugs visitors to the top of Mt. Washington in Victoria era coaches. http://www.thecog.com/

The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in Franconia Notch runs daily, weather permitting. http://www.cannonmt.com/

***
I walk in beauty on the good red road
Linda Ballou
www.lindaballouauthor.com

The Good of Going to the Mountains Part 2

2010-10-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

Continues from Part 1,

The Whites from a distance appear benign but are reputed to be intolerant and unpredictable. The weather at the top of Mt. Washington, the highest of the peaks in the Northeast (elevation 6290) has the worst weather in the world. Gusts of over one hundred miles per hour have been reported during all months of the year.

“Winds funnel into the canyons from several different directions creating churning whiteouts that blind hikers and stop rescue attempts,” our guide, Nichol, told us. Hikers get lost so often the good folks of New Hampshire now require them to pay for the cost of their rescue. With the aid of New England Hiking Holidays, I was able to explore with carefree abandon the fabled notches, intervales and peaks painted by over 400 landscape artists and listen to the stories the forests tell.

The median age of our group was fifty. Fitness levels ranged from recovering couch potato to personal-trainer buff. Many of the guests were seasoned, international travelers, and most had a few week-long hiking adventures under their belts. After hiking 5-7 miles each day, we enjoyed the luxury of the Thorn Hill Inn and Spa, where we could partake in a full massage, steam or hot tub under the stars. The sophistication of the group made for stimulating conversation over gourmet meals prepared by a chef with a flare for perfection. The Inn is located in Jackson, a village oozing with White Mountain charm; pumpkin men and ladies on the lawns, benches for strollers to enjoy, bright flower boxes and a red covered bridge spanning the Wildcat River that runs through the town. Two of our nights were spent in the Sugar Hill region at the lovingly restored Sunset House, built in 1882, overlooking a vast meadow dotted with wild turkey.

Amazingly, the group of eighteen settled naturally into two groups of nine with similar degrees of fitness and aspirations. Once my group caught up with me, we tramped together to Lonesome Lake, where we enjoyed a healthful repast at the friendly AMC hut maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club, the oldest outdoor organization in the U.S. In our week we walked on several segments of the 2,125 mile Appalachian Trail that runs all the way from Maine to Georgia. In the sunny afternoon we circumnavigated the lake on boardwalks that kept us above the moose marsh surrounding the blue gem nestled in pines. I was struck by the fact that there were no mosquitoes swarming in what looked to be the perfect habitat.

“Fall is the best time to come here because there are no bugs.” Nichol explained. The pesky black flies of the summer months are at bay and ticks are out of season. The crisp nights bring out brilliant color in the foliage, but the days are in the seventies, perfect for the droves of leaf peepers who flock to the region this time of year.

On the way to the Basin hike, we passed by what remains of the Old Man in the Mountain. So loved was the jagged granite face carved by nature thousands of years ago he was put on state license plates. The “Old Man,” credited with being the guardian of the mountains, was held together for years with cables. Despite these efforts to save him, he came down in 2003. Now, he is affectionately referred to by locals as “Cliff.”

One day was spent exploring Crawford Notch, where Ethan Allan Crawford built the first hospitality house in the 1800s for the “rusticators” who came by train and stayed all summer. Tourists still pour off the train from Conway at the depot in the notch. Crawford also carved a trail to the top of Mt. Washington, which remains the oldest trail in continuous use in the United States.

Read more at Linda's website.

The Good of Going to the Mountains was originally published in Real Travel Adventures in 2006
Join us on Friday, for The Good of Going to the Mountains, Part 3

***

I walk in beauty on the good red road.

Linda Ballou

http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

The Good of Going to the Mountains, Part I

2010-10-25T16:27:00.000-07:00

by Linda Ballou

Like the poets, painters and millions of trampers before me, I’d come to the
White Mountains of New Hampshire to rid myself of commercial chatter, pollution and to
know Mother Nature’s healing heart.

I bound up the boulder steps of the Basin-Cascade trail tracing an energetic river graced with glistening waterfalls. While navigating the twisted roots of birch trees, I chanced a look to the heavens trembling with lemon leaves rustling in a flirtatious breeze. Relishing a moment of sacred solitude while waiting for the rest of my hiking group to join me at the base of Ellis Falls, I listened to the full throated roar of the powerful white curtain of water carving a path through sheer granite. The fragrance of balsam fir and the fecund odor of the gold and amber carpet of falling leaves filled the air. Like the poets, painters and millions of trampers before me, I’d come to the White Mountains of New Hampshire to rid myself of commercial chatter, pollution and to know Mother Nature’s healing heart.

Over 600 miles of well-marked paths lace our first National Forest. These trails seduce the hiker into shady glens through lacy fern forests and to alpine climbs pocked with turquoise glacier cirques …. Read more here

Find these articles and more on Linda’s website,

The Good of Going to the Mountains was originally published in Real Travel Adventures in 2006

Join us here on Wednesday, for Part II of The Good of Going to the Mountains.

***

I walk in beauty on the good red road.

Linda Ballou

http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/