My family and I are on the homeward stretch after visiting over ten national parks in the West over the last seven weeks. We’ve made our way from Yosemite to Yellowstone and are now in Denver en route to Tucson. Hard to believe, but this time next week we will be on a plane crossing the Pacific on our way to Australia (!). We are certainly on a huge adventure but, as we still have only limited internet connectivity, I will have to wait until next week’s blog to give a full round up of the trip. Suffice to say we had an incredible experience and one that I hope my twin boys will never forget. They have some fourteen junior ranger badges to remember it by at least! So stay tuned for my full account over the next few weeks…
In the meantime, a question for you – what was the most unforgettable journey you have ever taken? How has it influenced you as a writer? Is there a trip you would love to take and, if so, where? I have warned my husband that Africa is next on my list but I have to say I would be quite happy to retrace our steps from this trip – the national parks are awesome and a true reflection of this amazing country!
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We did the national park trip the year my (twin) sister and I were 15 – yeah, I still remember it, 30 years later.
20 years ago, sister and I went to Greece to see where my Grandfather was born and last year, my mom and I went to Australia. Don’t miss the Great Barrier Reef! We also saw some beautiful vistas in the Tablelands region and the Sydney harbor at sunset. Gorgeous.
Whenever I travel, I come back with more ideas for stories. One of them (a family trip to Alaska) provided descriptions and such for the book I’m polishing now. Sometimes you just need a change of perspective.
Clare, I had a job many years ago that took me to places all around the world including cities in Europe, Asia and Africa. Hands down, the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen are the plains of South Africa. The sight is overwhelming in its beauty and majesty. What struck me the most about it was the stark contrast between extreme opulence and crushing poverty. I was not writing books at the time but I’ve never forgotten the good and bad of that amazing region of the world.
Africa was my most memorable trip, Kenya and Tanzania. But the most fun trip was Europe (primarily Paris) right after graduating from college. There were a whole lotta hijinks goin’ on. And so much fun!
I often talk about my travels to China and it’s influence on beginning my writing career (if that’s what you call it.)
I traveled in China for years and have grown to love the culture and the people. I was there during the height of SARS. I came home and began developing my first biological thiller, A Reason For Dying.
I am working on a suspense novel now that has a female Chinese protagonist and touches on China’s one child policy and it’s negative effect on girl children.
You tripping all over the route of my favorite journey. Two years ago my then 17-year-old daughter and I drove from Maryland to my brother’s home outside Denver. After a week there, we drove up through Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks, through Montana to Little Big Horn, then across Wyoming and South Dakota to see the Devils Tower, Deadwood, Lead, Custer State Park, and the Badlands. Fifteen days and over 5100 miles and I’d do it again tomorrow.
Cool trips! I am planning lots of trips in oz and hopefully the boys will love those as much as this trip. Travel always makes me feel inspired but right now I have to admit I am more tired than inspired!
I’ve done a lot of inspiring travel over the years, including all 50 states and a lot of Europe. Every place has its charm and its grandeur, and every place is tied in my mind to the overall experience I had when I was there.
In terms of sheer, breathtaking beauty, three places that are hard to beat are Tuscany, the Hana area of Maui, and Lake Louise in Alberta.
Ahh, John, it’s the road to Hana that makes the trip.
It’s even more interesting to continue all the way around, even though the rental car companies discourage it. If it’s been dry, it’s doable.
What an amazing experience! You’ll have lots to tell when you get home. My most memorable trip was our honeymoon. We went to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, New Guinea and Figi for 5 weeks. Could never afford to do that again!
I went to Europe instead of Africa for our 30th anniversary. We did England and Ireland. It was all right and was all tax deductible since I was doing research. Problem is I wasn’t impressed by anything I saw enough to write about it. I did almost get hit by a car in London and I had a terrible stomach virus that I enjoyed on the flight home. I did like the duty-free Scotch section of the liquor shoppe.