I had so much fun re-visiting my travel stories in Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler's Tales.
My travel wings are clipped, but I can still enjoy sharing my past adventures. Craig Koehn loves spotlighting Booming Boomers on his podcast Boomer Far Out Adventures. We are not over the hill, we are in for the thrill of being alive and holding each day precious.
I take you to from the majesty of my Alaska homeland to of magical beauty of New Zealand, the wild west of America and the romantic isles in the south seas. My theme song is that nature can be our salvation. In this modern age I believe that reconnection with the natural world is critical to achieve harmony and balance in ourselves and with others.
Adventure travel writer, Linda Ballou, has rafted, kayaked
and horseback ridden through pristine wilderness areas around the globe. The
most memorable of these journeys are chronicled in her book Lost Angel
Walkabout. In Lost Angel in Paradise she
shares 32-of her favorite daytrips along the coast of California. In this issue
we learn about her latest effort Get Great Trips for Free. Learn more about her travels at www.LostAngelAdventures.com
My travel memoirLost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler's Tales receives glowing reviews from readers. In the year of the virus armchair travel is a fun way to get around the planet without any risk. Many of us are tired from reading so much online. So,I decided it was time to get my book into audio format.
LeAnn Pashina did a sterling job narrating my stories. She keeps the energy level up without becoming shrill. I wanted to read the stories myself, but professional narration calls for a skill set I don't possess.
Here is what award winning travel writer James Dorsey had to say aboutLost Angel Walkabout.
Lost Angel Walkabout by Linda Ballou takes the reader out of their armchair and into the vast world as few travel writers can. Her eye for detail combined with intimate knowledge of her surroundings sets Ms. Ballou heads above most of the travel writing pack. In this age when everyone with a back pack proclaims him or herself a travel writer it takes a book like this one to re-define the genre. The stories are personal and inviting, giving the reader not only a feeling of participation but leaving them with a memory of where they have just visited. This is just plain great travel writing.
Escape with me to Alaska, Costa Rica, Hawaii'i, New Zealand and parts of the Wild West. The audio book is available on Audible and Amazon
Adventure travel writer, Linda Ballou, has rafted, kayaked
and horseback ridden through pristine wilderness areas around the globe. The
most memorable of these journeys are chronicled in her book Lost AngelWalkabout.In Lost Angel in Paradise she
shares 32-of her favorite daytrips along the coast of California. In her latest
effort Get Great Trips for Free she provides a roadmap for travel writing
success.Learn more about her travels at
www.LostAngelAdventures.com
On my visit to Australia in early 2020 I was treated to an unexpected visit to the Quarantine Station in Sydney Harbor created to deal with the Spanish Influenza and more. This was a disturbing experience that made me wonder why I was there. When I returned to the US. I found myself in the middle of a new pandemic.My article Taking a Cue from the Q-Station appeared in Travel World Magazine
The September issue of Travel World Magazine is dedicated to inspirational stories during the pandemic.
I have not been traveling during the pandemic. But, others who have ventured out to Costa Rica, the Rocky Mountains, Flagstaff and many more destinations share there expereinces in this issue of Travel World dedicated to surving the pandemic. I was a little jealous, but feel I have done the right thing for myself.
We all have to decide for ourselves what is the best way to cope with this deadly virus.
I have been enjoying hiking in my own back yard the Santa Monica Mountains and swimming in the Pacific Ocean.
Adventure travel writer, Linda Ballou, has rafted, kayaked
and horseback ridden through pristine wilderness areas around the globe. The
most memorable of these journeys are chronicled in her book Lost Angel
Walkabout. In Lost Angel in Paradise she
shares 32-of her favorite daytrips along the coast of California. In this issue
we learn about her latest effort Get Great Trips for Free. Learn more about her travels at www.LostAngelAdventures.com
In the words of Edward Abbey…I am not an atheist, I am
an Earthiest!
Earthiests are people who literally need to plug into
the planet to recharge. Whether sitting on a rock warmed by the sun, or face
planted down on the sand at the beach, standing on a mountain top arms spread
with palms up to gather energy, or resting against a tree, I am gathering
energy from the earth.
Some people
think nothing is happening when they are sitting still because their minds are
too busy to feel anything. But, they are receiving nature’s gift just the
same.An earthiest consciously makes themselves
more receptive to the bounty by quieting their minds and will not miss an
opportunity to plug into the universal gas pump.
None of this is new. The Navajo strive to achieve a
harmony and balance within themselves and their society in nature to a state
they call Hozho.Ancient Hawaiians
lifted their fingertips to the sky in hula in an attempt to pull mana or
spiritual energy into their being. They received power from Moana the grand and
vibrant sea and believe they are stewards of the land. The act of lying on the
forest floor in order to absorb the energy of the earth and the trees called “Forest
Bathing” is now popular in Japan. Moderns are practicing “Earthing” that is
walking barefoot to re-balance with natural forces to counter act
eltro-magnetic fields we are all exposed to.
I find sustenance and solace in nature. My daily walks
are a meditation that allows my mind to relax and wander freely. I don’t wear
earbuds I leave distraction from my thoughts behind. I want to hear the sounds
of the birds twittering and the wind whispering through the trees. I want to
let thoughts bubble up from the well of my subconscious. I want to digest all
the input I receive each day. My overstimulated molecules settle into place and
I find answers to my questions in my writing and in life this way.
Yes, I believe nature can be our salvation. It is for
me.
Adventure travel writer, Linda Ballou’s articles have
appeared in Real Travel Adventures, Travel World, Go World and numerous other
national magazines. She is the adventure travel expert on the National
Association of Baby Boomer Women. Her
new-adult novel The Cowgirl Jumped Over
the Moon was a finalist at the Equus Film Fest. She continues to enjoy
great trips around the globe! Learn more about her travels at www.LostAngelAdventures.com
and her novels at www.LindaBallouAuthor.com
You have to be careful what you ask for. I have talked about writing Isabella Bird's story for over a decade. I visited Estes Park and hiked in the Rockies in 2017, to get a better feel for the region. My essay,Riding in the Hoof prints of Isabella Bird, won the Traveler’s Tales Solas Award. I have long admired this plucky English Woman whose travel books were best sellers in the late 1800’s.
I didn’t feel I had time to commit to a novel until the year of the virus. I got the time, whether I wanted it or not. Presently, I am deep into my novel Embrace of the Wild, a fictionalized
account of Lady Isabella Bird’s tour of the Rocky Mountains in 1874. I hope to
have the first rough draft completed by mid-September. Like my two other
novels, it is a destination piece that takes you a place you can’t get to any
other way. I’ve enjoyed being in the Rockies while it was still virgin
territory. I hope you will find this journey as exciting as I have.
I will come up for air soon, but for now I am focused on finishing a first draft that I can share with beta readers. Then off to my editor for the acid test. I am striving to have it in publishable format by years
end.
By then we should have a vaccine and I can get back onthe freedom trail!
Adventure travel writer, Linda Ballou, has rafted, kayaked
and horseback ridden through pristine wilderness areas around the globe. The
most memorable of these journeys are chronicled in her book Lost Angel
Walkabout. In Lost Angel in Paradise she
shares 32-of her favorite daytrips along the coast of California. In her latest
effort Get Great Trips for Free she provides a roadmap for travel writing
success. Learn more about her travels at
www.LostAngelAdventures.com
Below
are the links to the GlobeRovers FREE App with all FREE issues. You and other
readers can either search in your App Store for “globerovers” or just click on
the links.
My interview with GlobeRovers is on page 180-181. There is a slider located at th botton of the magazine that allows you to easily navigate the magazine.
Adventure travel writer, Linda Ballou, has rafted, kayaked
and horseback ridden through pristine wilderness areas around the globe. The
most memorable of these journeys are chronicled in her book Lost Angel
Walkabout. In Lost Angel in Paradise she
shares 32-of her favorite daytrips along the coast of California. In her latest
effort Get Great Trips for Free she provides a roadmap for travel writing
success. Learn more about her travels at
www.LostAngelAdventures.com
Tasmania: Australian Adventure - Go World Magazine
Editor’s Note: While we hunker down at home during the current world situation, we still dream of travel. Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state, and this southern island offers plenty of adventure. Enjoy!
Eager to hike the trails in Eagle Hawk Nest on the Tasman Peninsula, I set out early from Hobart, the largest port and gateway to adventures in Tasmania, an island state off Australia’s south coast.
The intoxicating perfume of wildflowers drifting on a sea breeze greeted when I pulled over to view of the shimmering blue Tasman Sea far below.
Tassie, as Australians affectionately call the island, is known for its rugged wilderness areas, which are mainly located within reserves and parks. Tasmania, Australia may be the smallest Australian state, but it offers plenty of adventure.
Waterfall Bay Walk in Tasmania
Waterfall Bay Walk
The Waterfall Bay Walk was a perfect amble through the forest overlooking the craggy rock formations and aquamarine coves far below. The Three Capes Track, a four-day, 30-mile track skirting the soaring dolerite cliffs unveiled in 2015 draws trekkers from about the globe.
National Parks in Tasmania
I left regretting I had not allotted more time to explore this gorgeous region. I gave myself one week in Tasmania (fast becoming a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts) to hit the top sites of Cradle Mountain National Park, the Cataract Gorge in Launceston, and Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park on the sunny east coast, so it was time to go.
A 3-hour drive north of Hobart through the arid middle of the country brought me to my friends’ home in Launceston. Proud of the rich heritage of their city, they pointed out the many Victorian structures and remnants of the convict days and gardens that grace their city.
They took me to a gracious restaurant overlooking the Cataract Gorge, famous for hikes into the dramatic canyon carved by the Esk River that is traversed by a striking suspension bridge.
From there I drove the winding road to Cradle Mountain, stopping in Deloraine for a “toastie” (a grilled/panini-like sandwich) and tea. A Wind in the Willows-like river walk in drizzling rain reminded me of the Mother Country.
Its tidy patchwork quilt of pastures on rolling hills dotted with sheep completed the picture; the difference being this bucolic scene is framed in ragged spires.
Driving in Tasmania
The country lane soon turned into a corkscrew affair that spiraled upward through mountains sheathed in thick forests. No one had mentioned to me that Tasmania is one of the most mountainous islands in the world.
Accidents on the narrow lanes are common. You are advised not to drive after dusk as that is when the wombats, wallabies, and pademelons come out to graze causing accidents as people swerve to miss them.
The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial that is now only found in the wild in Tasmania.
Tasmanian Devils
The nocturnal Tasmanian Devil, rarely seen outside of sanctuaries, is coming back from the brink of extinction. The devils suffer from infectious viral cancer in the form of a facial tumor that spreads through biting and has killed 90 percent of them in the wild.
Cradle Mountain National Park
Cradle Mountain National Park is home to the highest peaks in Tasmania with wild, unpredictable weather. Even though it was raining the day I arrived, I attempted to hike the 4-mile Dove Lake Circuit.
The trailhead is also where the challenging 6-day Overland Track begins. Sheets of water shut out the view of the mountains framing the lake and forced me to turn back. I was, however, able to enjoy the Enchanted Woods track in the gloom of a haunting forest ensconced in moss and algae to energetic Knyvet Falls.
Tasmania has many beautiful beaches
East Coast of Tasmania
Another roller coaster road brought me to the sunny East Coast of Tasmania where endless miles of white sand beaches are kissed by turquoise rollers off the Tasman Sea. Sailboats dot the marinas and summer cottages line the shore of coastal villages.
My charming Airbnb in Bicheno was a skip away from a blowhole, and a walk on granite rocks covered with orange lichen that brought me to a tiny marina where the special was a zesty seafood bouillabaisse.
The guide on a glass-bottom boat tour of the marina informed us that the marine creatures here, like squid and seahorses, are endangered due to a warm current coming from mainland Australia that is heating up the waters killing the kelp forests. Yet another imbalance in nature caused by global warming.
Tourville Lighthouse in Tasmania, Australia
Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park, home to the spectacular Wine Glass Bay, is the most popular attraction on the east coast. I took the spiraling road up to the Tourville Lighthouse where an easy loop affords mind-expanding views of the blue veil of the Tasman Sea.
The marine preserve below the surface, established in 2007, begins 3 miles offshore and extends for 200 nautical miles to protect migrating whales and all manner of sea life in the submerged mountain range.
The easiest way to experience Wine Glass Bay is to take the water taxi out of Cole’s Bay. It takes you around the peninsula, drops you off on a flat trail across the isthmus to Hazards Beach where you are picked up for the return ride.
Benoche Marina in Tasmania, Australia
With 40 percent of the land in this island state preserved with 880 tracks lacing the national parks, Tasmania is one of the last hold outs for true conservation.The caring population of just over half a million are doing all they can to keep their home clean and green. I’m grateful to the devil that got into me and told me I had to go and see Tassie for myself.
The Los Angeles Times recently ran a piece suggesting that
river rafting could be the best thing to do this summer “Why
white-water rafting could be the safest way to a family vacation this summer.”A
doctor from Seattle who has been working with Covid 19 patients feels the need
to get into the fresh air to re-charge his batteries. He will be taking his
children on a river trip and believes it will help him re-connect with his family. River
rafting is one my favorite ways to get out into pristine country. Gliding along
following the ebb and flow of a river, rubber necking gorgeous scenery and
listening for the rumble of the next rapid ahead is one of my favorite things to do.
Rogue Rivr-Oregon
Tatshenshini River-Fairweather Range
Momentum River Expeditions is a small company with personalized service on some the best
rivers in the U.S. They run the Tatshenshini River, a 125 mile run from the
Yukon to the Gulf of Alaska. This is for the more rugged outdoors enthusiast as
it involves rafting through glacier fields and being totally unplugged. The
Salmon River in Idaho is a bit more civilized, but don’t be surprised if you
see Big Horn mountain sheep standing on the shore. It takes you through a deep
canyon far away from the maddening crowd. Ashland Oregon, of Shakespeare
Festival fame, is home base for Momentum River Expeditions. They run the family friendly Rogue River with small groups and experienced guides that pride themselves on their home
cooking all summer.
Salmon River-Idaho
Whether you are a seasoned river rat, an intermediate
adventure junkie, or a family looking for a way to spend quality time together
there is a river for you. Check out all the river rafting options offered by Momentum River Expeditions
When Linda is not river rafting, hiking or horseback riding
in gorgeous country she is writing about her experiences. Her articles appear
in Go World, Real Travel Adventures and on her Boomer Column on NABBW.com. She
shares her most memorable journeys in Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s
Tales. Linda resides in the City of the Angels and takes you to her favorite
hikes of the coast of California in Lost Angel in Paradise. Get Great Trips for
Free is her latest offering. Learn more at www.LostAngelAdventures.com
Fun Q&A with Lisa Smith about what it takes to succeed in the travel writing world.
Now is the time for you to position yourself to take advantage when the world re-opens.
Trust may it will! Don't waste this gift of free time.
Get Great Trips for free is available for dowload on Amazon in the kindle store.
I have a host of articles and information about my travel books at
www.LostAngelAdventures.com
The best thing you can do for yourself now is Get Outdoors!Cicerone Press offers wonderful collection
of walking guides for fantastic tracks around
the globe.I ordered Walking in The Cotswolds and in Walking in Cornwall in England as I hope
one fine day to get back to the UK and take a much more up close and personal
look. These books provide rich detail of the region, history, geology, and
footpath difficulty. Informative, compact print with color images help the
reader know what they are getting into. Each of the books are written by locals with
in depth knowledge of the nuances of the places they call home. They share
specific instructions on how to get to the trailheads with detailed maps. In addition, they give you information on the
nearest transport, if it is wise to rent a car or to take public transport.Suggestions for accommodations near the
footpaths listed in the books are extremely helpful for the traveler.
With these pocket books that fit easily into my back pack, I
feel confident to tackle hiking in the storybook footpaths of the Cotswolds, or
the coastal cliff walks of Cornwall on my own. There is information about local
guides if I arrive and feel uncertain. However, it looks like it will be a bit
like following a buried treasure map with posted landmarks to my daily
destination. It is recommended that you stay in a village close to many walking
paths and explore a region in depth rather than rushing through all the walks listed in the books trying to tick off as many
as you can in a short time.
Go to the www.cicerone.co.uk
and select you next adventure. Planning your next trip can be as stimulating as
the travel itself. If you live in one of the many countries listed in their catalogue
you will learn new ways to get out and explore in your own back yard.
P.S. in the U.S. they cover The Grand Canyon, Pacific Crest
Trail and the John Muir Trail
The ability to speed through immigration and customs after landing from an international flight without wasting time waiting in line is perhaps one of the greatest modern improvements to travel.” -- AFAR Magazine Global Entry, long touted as the fastest way to skirt custom lines requires you to check in on a kiosk and charges an annual fee. The mobile passport app allows you to go directly to the exit door security officer, and it is free. No more standing in a customs conga line for an hour after an exhausting flight. You should set up the app before leaving home to speed up the process when you re-enter the U.S. https://www.mobilepassport.us/ available on Google Play and in the Apple Store. Jared Kamrowski, owner of www.Thriftytraveler.com, says that Google Flights is the best source for tracking down the cheapest airfares. Google is intent on making their app better than other third party sites like Expedia and Kayak.com. You enter your desired dates of travel and destination, and you will receive alerts as to the best fares for your itinerary. When you decide to purchase, the site will deliver you directly to the airline. You should always make your flight reservations directly with the airline without third party commissions and the most complete inventory of flight offerings. Download the app for the airline you use so that you get up to date notifications about flight or gate changes. Sign up on his site for more $$ saving tips. P.S. Southwest Airlines does not participate in Google Flights. Their fairs are always low and that don’t charge baggage fees. Tips from travel gurus at the Los Angeles Adventure travel Show. Happy Travels in 2020
Adventure Travel Writer Linda Ballou www.lostangeladventures.com
Stinger Suits are required for snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. The stinger and box jellies don't normally come out this far (30 miles off shore) but, better to be safe than dead, I always say.
Donning Stinger Suits for our day at GBR-Gail Betts Photo
Linda Goldman, Julie Zabilski, Ann Nielsen, Linda Ballou
The busy harbor in Cairns is where tourists board vessels
for a day of snorkeling and diving on the reef. It was raining the February morning
we left for the 30-mile cruise to our first snorkel stop, Simpsons Reef, but it
cleared by the time we reached our destination. Stinger jellies are not this
far from the shore, but we suited up in lycra stinger suits just in case some
did not get the memo. Half of the 180 passengers on board were celebrating
Chinese New Year. Amazingly, we were all fitted with masks and
snorkels, and entered the 80-degree water with military precision. Those who
didn’t snorkel took a submarine cruise with viewing windows.
Linda in the center of Simpson Reef snorkel spot
Great Barrier Reef from Below
The reef’s coral heads look like giant pudgy brains in colors
ranging from murky brown to emerald green and electric blue in an unending
variety of shapes and sizes. Fishes of many colors flit in and out of the
crannies and cubbyholes that afford protection from predators. The giant clam
that can reach 400 pounds and the giant green turtles are a thrill to spot. I
almost walked on water when I spied two 5-foot moray eels slithering through
the reef near the ocean floor. The reef which is over 125 miles in length and has
over 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands, is endangered. The temperature of
the water has been getting warmer each year for the last four years. Climate
change is causing acidification, and bleaching of the corals which means death
to the reef jeopardizing all the marine creatures that depend upon it to
survive.
Great Barrier Reef from Above
Linda Ballou is an adventure travel writer with a host of travel articles on her site www.LostAngelAdventures.com. You will also find information about her travel memoir, Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales from Alaska to New Zealand, and Lost Angel in Paradise where she shares her favorite hikes and day trips on the coast of California.
Alice Springs is a desert
flower in the middle of the striking MacDonnell Range. Hundreds of cockatoos
dive-bombed the trees by the welcoming pool and spa in our hotel. A refreshing
dip under the full moon and dazzling desert sky took the kinks out of a busy
travel day. Alice Springs is literally in the red center of Australia. The
famous Larapinta Trail across the spine of the MacDonnel Range to Sleeping Woman Mountain that calls to
trekkers from around the globe begins here.
At Simpson Gorge, a
billabong that has sustained aboriginal people for thousands of years, we
learned about the ways of the tribes who call this land home from Lindsey, a
local guide, who is also a wonderful artist.The history of the aboriginal people in
Australia is a sad, dark affair. From the time of the early colonists the
natives were considered savages and treated as sub-human.But today, steps are being taken towards
reconciliation.
Lindsey with Dr. Lorin Rice and wife Charlotte Derenne
Albert Namatjira was the first of
the aboriginal artists to capture this world in watercolor landscapes. He
became quite famous for his haunting Ghost Gum trees. So much so, that in 1957
he was the first aboriginal to be deemed human, not just fauna in the natural
environment with no rights. He was granted restricted Australian citizenship, which
allowed him to vote, own land, build a house and buy alcohol.
Albert Namatjira-Western Range
Adventure-travel writer,
Linda Ballou’s mission is to get to as many beautiful places she can before
they are gone! She shares a host of travel articles on her site, along with
information about her travel stories on www.LostAngelAdventures.com
