Writing on Travel

Wednesday Window ~ Tiffany-style stained glass at The Mansion Bed and Breakfast, West Dundee, Illinois

2009-08-19T23:14:00.001-05:00

Wednesday Window ~ Tiffany-style stained glass at The Mansion Bed and Breakfast, West Dundee, Illinois

Posted using ShareThis

Looking out my back door

2008-02-03T13:13:00.001-06:00

Autumn arrives in the Midwest

2007-09-27T15:46:00.000-05:00

Discover America Photo Contest

2007-09-13T06:44:00.000-05:00

Discover America Photo Contest

The Nine Commandments of Travel Writing : Condé Nast Traveler on Concierge.com

2007-09-11T18:17:00.000-05:00

The Nine Commandments of Travel Writing by Pico Iyer : Condé Nast Traveler on Concierge.com

Three ounces not just a random choice by TSA

2007-09-11T09:36:00.000-05:00

Turns Out There’s a Reason for Those 3-Ounce Bottles - New York Times

Joe Sharkey's interview with TSA director Kip Hawley reveals there is science behind the policy.

30 dead snakes found in man's luggage - Travel News - MSNBC.com

2007-09-10T13:01:00.000-05:00

30 dead snakes found in man's luggage - Travel News - MSNBC.com

Become a Laird, Lord, or Lady... Lochaber Highland Estates.

2007-09-10T09:02:00.000-05:00

Become a Laird, Lord, or Lady... Lochaber Highland Estates.

The Believer - Stuff I’ve Been Reading

2007-09-10T08:59:00.000-05:00

The Believer - Stuff I’ve Been Reading

The Believer

2007-09-10T08:58:00.001-05:00

The Believer

McSweeney's Internet Tendency: A Convergence of Convergences: A Contest.

2007-09-10T08:58:00.000-05:00

McSweeney's Internet Tendency: A Convergence of Convergences: A Contest.

"Don't Forget to Write"

2007-09-10T08:48:00.000-05:00

826 Valencia - Shop: "Don't Forget to Write"

826 National Writing and Tutoring Centers

2007-09-10T08:45:00.000-05:00

826 National Writing and Tutoring Centers

826 National is a family of seven nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing.

Our mission is based on the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.

Each chapter offers drop-in tutoring, field trips, workshops, and in-schools programs — all free of charge — for children, classes, and schools with particular interests or particular needs.

826 is especially committed to supporting teachers, offering services and resources for English language learners, and publishing student work. Several locations offer unique retail experiences as well.

What is going on here?

2007-09-09T09:11:00.000-05:00

I'm not a big fan of blogger, but I love the handy "Send to" button on my Google toolbar.

As a result, I've developed a habit of using that button to send interesting links to this blog: pages, news items, and other goodies.

My more formal blogs are linked in the sidebar.

myJournal meets Sandbox providing you the best theme ever — BlogoSquare

2007-09-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

myJournal meets Sandbox providing you the best theme ever — BlogoSquare

The Bizarre Story of Joe O'Donnell by Marianne Fulton - The Digital Journalist (August 2007)

2007-09-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Bizarre Story of Joe O'Donnell by Marianne Fulton - The Digital Journalist (August 2007)

NPR : Vatican Airline Officials Seize Holy Water

2007-08-30T09:33:00.000-05:00

NPR : Vatican Airline Officials Seize Holy Water

A doubly bad day for AT&T: Second iPhone unlock announced - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

2007-08-24T16:57:00.000-05:00

A doubly bad day for AT&T: Second iPhone unlock announced - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

ResourceShelf, a treasure-trove for online researchers

2007-08-22T23:24:00.000-05:00

ResourceShelf

An excerpt from the site's About page:

About ResourceShelf

ResourceShelf was founded in 2001 under the editorship of Gary Price, MLIS, a noted library consultant, speaker and trainer. Gary is ably assisted by editor Shirl Kennedy, MLIS, and a team of other editors. Every day, they add high-quality web-based resources, including databases, lists and rankings, real-time sources, and multimedia. They also post comments and observations about news in the information and web industry.

In 2004, a second site was added: DocuTicker guides users to full-text reports published by government agencies, nonprofits and NGOs, and other public interest organizations.

The two sites jointly host an average of 100,000+ page views each month. Our free weekly newsletter has a subscriber base of over 20,000 librarians, information professionals, researchers, journalists and other fans of web-based resources.

ResourceShelf and DocuTicker are published by Free Pint Limited, a UK-based publishing company with a network of sites and publications serving the information industry.

How to Change the World: Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn

2007-08-04T12:55:00.000-05:00

How to Change the World: Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn

The LinkedIn Blog: Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn | Guy Kawasaki

2007-08-04T12:53:00.000-05:00

The LinkedIn Blog: Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn | Guy Kawasaki

10 Ways journalists can use LinkedIn » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

2007-08-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

10 Ways journalists can use LinkedIn » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

WritersDigest.com: Your Story contest

2007-08-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

WritersDigest.com

travelgirl: lifestyle trends and fabulous journeys for today's woman

2007-08-02T13:40:00.000-05:00

travelgirl: Home

Ed2010™ - Links

2007-08-02T13:38:00.000-05:00

Ed2010™ - Links

Over-Packing Syndrome

2007-04-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

Over-Packing Syndrome: "Are You Suffering From OPS? Tips to Help Combat Over-Packing Syndrome"

Journey Woman - She Hikes the Inca Trail

2007-04-27T11:07:00.000-05:00

Helpful information for travels to Peru!

Journey Woman - She Hikes the Inca Trail

Writing on Travel: Tips for writers & travelers

2006-07-25T16:08:00.000-05:00

Writing on Travel: Tips for writers & travelers

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/5493810

Tips for writers & travelers

2006-07-23T09:54:00.000-05:00

I'm rethinking my blog design, given the addtional flexibility offered by Moveable Type & TypePad.

The referenced TypePad site is on a 30-day trial. Please let me know what you think.

Tips for writers & travelers

Carafes, Steamboat Ticonderoga dining room, Shelburne Museum

2006-07-21T15:14:00.000-05:00

Sargent House Museum, John Singer Sargent house, Gloucester MA

2006-07-21T14:50:00.000-05:00

Welcome to The Travel Insider

2006-07-21T11:05:00.000-05:00

David Rowell, writer and publisher of The Travel Insider, is a fine writer and one heck of a nice guy!

I highly recommend his free newsletter. His insights on the air travel industry, particularly on security issues, are priceless.

Signum sine tinnitu--by Guy Kawasaki: How to Suck Up to a Blogger

2006-07-19T01:22:00.000-05:00

Signum sine tinnitu--by Guy Kawasaki: How to Suck Up to a Blogger

Erika Dreifus | The Practicing Writer - Advice on the craft and business of excellent writing.

2006-07-18T18:23:00.000-05:00

Erika Dreifus | The Practicing Writer - Advice on the craft and business of excellent writing.

City Guide writers needed for mobiltravelguide.com Sent at: 19th Jul, 06:54

2006-07-18T16:25:00.000-05:00

travmedia.com

The Best Travel Web Sites

2006-07-18T14:10:00.000-05:00

The Best Travel Web Sites

Perceptive Travel Web Magazine Home

2006-07-18T13:27:00.000-05:00

Perceptive Travel Web Magazine Home

The Travel Writing Portal

2006-07-18T13:12:00.000-05:00

The Travel Writing Portal

globeandmail.com : Travel writers' guidelines

2006-07-17T22:04:00.000-05:00

globeandmail.com : Travel writers' guidelines

TravelLady Magazine

2006-07-16T19:34:00.000-05:00

Another good portal for travelers and writers:
TravelLady Magazine

Travel Writers' News

2006-07-16T17:54:00.000-05:00

Travel Writers' News from Laurie King.

I found this resource for travel writers on Carl Parkes's blog, Travel Writers: The Travails of Travel Writing.

Travel writing contest call for submissions

2006-07-16T17:47:00.000-05:00

Check out this site for contest rules and guidelines, plus lots more cool links for travelers and writers:

Travel and Transitions: Your travel portal for travel advice, unconventional travel ideas and ways to connect with other cultures.

Language Log

2006-07-16T17:35:00.000-05:00

Language Log: A must-read for all students of language and linguistics.

Moonlight Canoe on Monee Reservoir

2006-07-16T13:19:00.000-05:00

Another northern Illinois event from Chicago Wilderness magazine's calendar:

Start:	Aug 9, 2006 8:00 PM
End:	Aug 9, 2006 10:00 PM
Location:	Monee Reservoir

Program: Moonlight Canoe

Facility: Monee Reservoir

Fee: $7.00/person

Description: Plan to relax with us as we paddle the quiet, calm waters of Monee Reservoir. Watch the moon rise above the tree tops and illuminate the landscape. Learn moon facts and fiction. Enjoy the serenity and mystery of night as we look and listen for the comings and goings of our nocturnal friends. This program is for participants ages 10 and older; reservations and prepayment are required. Bug spray and a water bottle are recommended. A sandy beach where the canoes are launched is accessible via a short paved trail from the parking lot. Previous canoe experience is also required!

Directions: Monee Reservoir is located on Ridgeland Avenue, west of Route 50 and south of Pauling Road, 2.0 miles south of Monee IL.

View an Event, Calendar

Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Visitor Center, Plainfield IL

2006-07-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

I just learned of this local destination through Chicago Wilderness magazine:

Lake Renwick Bird Viewing

Start:	Jul 26, 2006 10:00 AM
End:	Jul 26, 2006 11:00 AM
Location:	Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Visitor Center

Description: Lake Renwick is a 150-acre lake with several small islands that are used for nesting by great blue herons, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, double-crested cormorants, and cattle egrets. Today this lake provides critical nesting and feeding areas for these birds. Come learn more about the birds, their behaviors, and the site history. The preserve is open May through August on Saturdays, from 8:00 a.m. - noon, and on Wednesdays, at 10:00a.m. for an hour-long interpretive walk.

Directions: Lake Renwick is located on Renwick Road, 0.5 mile east of Route 30 (Plainfield Road), in Plainfield IL

Chicago Wilderness magazine

2006-07-15T21:21:00.000-05:00

Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA

2006-07-15T19:57:00.000-05:00

Weathervane, Shelburne Museum, Vermont

2006-07-15T19:38:00.000-05:00

Model A Ford, Shelburne VT

2006-07-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

Good Harbor Beach

2006-07-15T19:28:00.000-05:00

Rugosa rose at twilight II

2006-07-15T19:25:00.000-05:00

Rugosa rose at twilight

2006-07-15T19:13:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: the dance lesson

2006-07-15T19:07:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: house for sale

2006-07-15T19:06:00.000-05:00

Good Harbor Beach: another sunset view

2006-07-15T19:01:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: Chick's Roast Beef

2006-07-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: Chick's Roast Beef

2006-07-15T18:59:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: Chick's Roast Beef

2006-07-15T18:58:00.000-05:00

Hanging out on Main Street in Gloucester

2006-07-15T18:56:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: art deco meets postmodern

2006-07-15T18:48:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: former bank building

2006-07-15T18:47:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: Empire

2006-07-15T18:45:00.001-05:00

Gloucester Main Street: The Joy of Socks

2006-07-15T18:45:00.000-05:00

Gloucester Main Street

2006-07-15T18:44:00.000-05:00

Downtown Gloucester: stars for sale

2006-07-15T18:42:00.000-05:00

Downtown Gloucester: "The Perfect Storm"

2006-07-15T18:41:00.001-05:00

Dogtown Book Shop

2006-07-15T18:41:00.000-05:00

Downtown Gloucester: wide angle

2006-07-15T18:39:00.000-05:00

Downtown Gloucester: bay windows

Looking out from Anderson-Abruzzo Balloon Museum, Albuquerque

2006-07-15T18:31:00.000-05:00

Ballooning in Albuquerque: Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, www.balloonmuseum.com

2006-07-15T18:28:00.000-05:00

Ballooning in Albuquerque: navigation aids

2006-07-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

Ballooning in Albuquerque: safety check

2006-07-15T18:25:00.000-05:00

Ballooning in Albuquerque: making hot air

The NY Times Photo Editor Answers a few Questions

2006-07-15T11:24:00.000-05:00

Information we may never need:

blog.photoblogs.org » Blog Archive » The NY Times Photo Editor Answers a few Questions

I think it's about time to start a photoblog

2006-07-15T11:20:00.000-05:00

Photoblogs.org - The Photoblog Resource

As I was shooting like mad on the boardwalk at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, CA, earlier this week, I began to reflect on the attractive danger of creating beautiful but cliched images.

I am challenging myself to select and edit my best photographs for presentation in a daily photoblog and in themed galleries.

Another challenge: no more trips until I address several story ideas I've gathered on both coasts and here in Illinois during the last 6 weeks. I've been away from home nearly all that time, with only short respites to recover and repack.

A Job With Travel but No Vacation - New York Times

2006-07-13T18:32:00.000-05:00

A Job With Travel but No Vacation - New York Times

Look here for commentary on this NYT article about the joys of writing travel guides:
Lawyers and Business Executives in the News™: THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY IN TRAVEL WRITING

I Want to Be a Travel Writer, Now What? Jen Leo's advice

2006-07-13T17:25:00.000-05:00

Jen Leo's blog on travel writing is one of my favorites. Here is a recent post:

I Want to Be a Travel Writer, Now What? - Market Leads - Written Road

From natural wonders to supreme artifice: Moonstone Beach, Hearst Castle, and the Pageant of the Masters

2006-07-13T16:14:00.000-05:00

Just back yesterday afternoon from a two-night trip north from Huntington Beach to the Central Coast of California, followed by an evening in Laguna Beach at Pageant of the Masters, now in its 74th year of production as part of the town's summer Festival of Arts. This 1932 photo shows the temporary structures set up for the first festival, which coincided with the Olympic Games held in Los Angeles.

Our buy-one-get-one-free tickets, a special offered to fill seats during opening week of Laguna Beach's Festival of Arts, put us in the last row but one of the Laguna Bowl, an open air amphitheatre formed by the slopes of Laguna Canyon. Nevertheless, with the aid of binoculars, we were dazzled by the performance.

This was our first time at the pageant; I'm considering a 2007 membership, beginning October 1, 2006, so that we can get better seats next year. Members can order up to 18 tickets months before they are available to the general public.

More later on the pageant and on our trip to Cambria and Hearst Castle, as soon as I can upload and choose photos to share.

Gossip Scribe Finds Bumps in the Road as Travel Writer

2006-07-08T00:19:00.000-05:00

Sad but all too true:
Gossip Scribe Finds Bumps in the Road as Travel Writer

Dead end at Golconda

2006-06-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

IOOF Cemetery, Golconda, Illinois

"Quack!" said Jerusha

2006-06-19T08:31:00.000-05:00

I'm looking for this book or an anthology containing this poem. I've only recently found the author, Mildred Plew Merryman.

The poem's most memorable line (to me at least):

"Quack! said Jerusha. I like my taters smashed."

Some day, I'd like to use that quote in a restaurant review.

Amazon.com: "Quack!" said Jerusha: Books: Mildred Plew Merryman

Writer's Blog: Google Launches Shakespeare Site

2006-06-18T10:50:00.000-05:00

Writer's Blog: Google Launches Shakespeare Site

''Making Meaning'' with Guy Kawasaki at eBay Live

2006-06-14T10:48:00.000-05:00

''Making Meaning'' with Guy Kawasaki at eBay Live

My schedule didn't permit me to attend eBay Live, going on in Las Vegas now until tomorrow night. Missing Guy Kawasaki's session is just one of the reasons for my disappointment. Another is the missed opportunity to attend as a PowerSeller.

Follow-on note, June 16:

Based on reports from Live attendees, I'm somewhat relieved to have avoided a crowd of 15,000 eBayers.

I do look forward to eBay Live 2007 in Boston, as New England offers many more enticements that might convince my family to travel with me.

Parlor Press: Writing Travel

2006-06-14T10:22:00.000-05:00

Googling my domain name, writingtravel.com, I discovered "Writing Travel," a series by Parlor Press in Chapel Hill, NC.

Parlor Press: Writing Travel

Parlor Press is an independent publisher and distributor of scholarly and trade books in high quality print and digital formats.

Writing Travel

Series Editor
Jeanne Moskal
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Parlor Press announces a new series, "Writing Travel." We seek manuscripts related to the new field of travel studies. Proposals for books on any of the following are welcome:

Original travel writing
Editions of out-of-print travel books or previously unpublished travel memoirs
English translations of important travel books in other languages
Theoretical and historical treatments of ways in which travel and travel writing engage such questions as religion, nationalism/cosmopolitanism, and empire; gender and sexuality; race, ethnicity, and immigration; and the history of the book, print culture, and translation
Biographies of significant travelers or groups of travelers (including but not limited to pilgrims, missionaries, anthropologists, tourists, explorers, immigrants)
Critical studies of the works of significant travelers or groups of travelers
Pedagogy of travel and travel literature and its place in curricula.

Writing on Travel, the WordPress edition

2006-06-14T09:21:00.000-05:00

Writing on Travel

My parallel blog, not always in synch with this one.

The biggest one of these you'll ever see

2006-06-13T23:01:00.000-05:00

In the desert garden at The Huntington. This enormous plant, a giant member of the Aloe family, was preparing to flower when I visited The Huntington Botanical Gardens with my daughters last year.

According to a docent, the plant's flowering would be a rare, celebrated event. Alas, my trip to southern California ended too soon to allow me to return to see the bloom.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

2006-06-13T22:47:00.000-05:00

Digging through some of my favorite photographs from the last couple of years, I came across this serendipitous shot taken on a solo trip in October 2004. When I captured this image, I was on my way to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, all on my own. I had hoped to catch the Beach Boys touring band at Epcot that afternoon but decided on a leisurely day hanging around the resort instead.

Ballooning over the volcanic field in Albuquerque

2006-06-13T22:37:00.000-05:00

Just testing

2006-06-13T22:03:00.000-05:00

I just sent back two lenses I was trying out on a 3-week rental from www.rentglass.com. This shot is a quick test of the Canon EF 85mm 1.8 prime lens. This lens is much heavier and less versatile than the Sigma 18-200 zoom I was also trying. Consequently, I didn't use the Canon lens as much as I would have liked. Even so, it's on my wish list of best-value Canon lenses.

Frederick Franck (1910-2006)

2006-06-13T21:18:00.000-05:00

Frederick Franck, artist and author of The Zen of Seeing (1973), died on June 5 at the age of 96. He is the subject of a profile in the Summer 2006 issue of Tricyle.

Do You Speak English? - Google Video

2006-06-13T19:52:00.000-05:00

Do You Speak English? - Google Video

Ballpoint Wren » Do You Speak English?

2006-06-13T19:42:00.000-05:00

The author of the referenced blog files this entry under the keyword procrastination.

See the next entry for a link to the original source, Google Video.

Collage: Sunset over Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA

2006-06-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

Sunset over Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA

2006-06-10T11:03:00.000-05:00

Red sky at night, the last shot in a series. Just a few hours later, a nor'easter dumped almost three inches of rain on the greater Boston area.

Time to come in

2006-06-10T10:48:00.000-05:00

At dusk on Good Harbor Beach, a fisherman walks in from the surf.

Morning after the nor'easter, Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA

2006-06-10T10:39:00.000-05:00

View from inside the enclosed porch of Samarkand Inn, a homey bed and breakfast right on Good Harbor Beach.

Locals say this is the best beach in Gloucester because it's the only one with waves that get you wet immediately. No standing in cold water shivering while finding the nerve to plunge in!

Friends in Gloucester, June 6, 2006

2006-06-10T10:36:00.000-05:00

Boys on Main Street in Gloucester asked, "Would you take our picture? Will this be in the paper?"

Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog

2006-04-05T11:22:00.000-05:00

Geoffrey Chaucer Hath a Blog

Chaucer could be considered one of the first English-language travel writers. This blog is a hoot!

Traveling well with a hidden disability

2006-02-19T15:26:00.000-06:00

I've decided to focus on a difficult subject, at least a subject that is difficult for me: traveling well with a hidden disability.

Traveling with any physical limitation is a challenge, and lots of writers cover the practical aspects of limited mobility, wheelchair access, dietary restrictions, and many other such issues.

But what about people with hidden disabilities, who look healthy enough to the casual observer but suffer debilitating symptoms that can flare up unexpectedly?

With the right makeup and a smile, I can pass for normal under the right conditions, so I won't go any further into my medical history here. Perhaps another time I will carry on about my healthcare nightmares. What I do want to offer here, in future posts, are some suggestions and observations based on my research and travels.

NATJA conference registration opens!

2006-01-12T15:48:00.000-06:00

NATJA's email today, which linked to the online conference registration form, showed a 3:00 pm CST time stamp. Fifty minutes later, give or take 90 seconds, I fired back my registration.

Had to deliberate a few moments on choices for conference tours and pre- and post-conference FAM trips.

Something new this year is an a la carte offering for do-it-yourself FAM trips. I made this my second choice... as much as I like to take my time touring a new place, I also enjoy spending time with other writers on press trips, even if we are all fatigued, grouchy, and feeling rushed.

Going back to Santa Fe

2006-01-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

I just jumped at an opportunity to return to Santa Fe in March for a travel writing seminar sponsored by National Geographic Traveler.

Santa Fe is one of those destinations that keeps drawing my attention. I love the light and the high desert climate, and I'm looking forward to another opportunity to take it all in, this time at my own sweet pace. The seminar is only one full day, so this visit I plan to spend lots of time in the museums and galleries.

My first time in Santa Fe was last May for the annual conference of NATJA, the North American Travel Journalists Association.

NATJA and the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau put on a great show. One of my favorite excursions was a lesson in Southwestern style cooking at the Santa Fe School of Cooking.

Another hightlight of the conference was a walking tour for photographers. I had as much fun observing the other photographers as I did taking my own shots.

As a result of attending writer Linda Formichelli's session at NATJA, I've signed on for her e-course, Write for Magazines. Linda is a great coach and superb writer. Don't miss her new release, The Renegade Writer : A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success, by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell.

NATJA's 2006 conference will be in Stowe, Vermont, at the end of May. Registration should begin very soon.

If you are interested in attending, it's best to register right away to increase your chances of securing a spot on one of the popular pre- and post-conference trips for journalists. Last year, I was extremely fortunate to join one of these trips for a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Albuquerque.