I started to name this post ‘inspiration’, but then realized I don’t REALLY need to be “inspired” to travel…it’s always at the forefront of my heart, soul, & thoughts. But, it’s fun, enjoyable, & awesome to read about others' adventures, look at their beautiful photographs, check out places online to travel to & listen to podcasts…all ways to ‘virtual’ travel when I can’t make the real thing happen. There are thousands of options…but here are some of my favorites!
Books (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE to read?):
Anything & Everything by John Muir
Still Going Strong by Talie Morrison
Talie is a friend of mine & she is so awesome to be around. This woman covers all the bases…she’s a year round solo hiker & backpacker; has tackled some amazing long distance trails; she’s had such an interesting work life; she gives back in wonderful ways; she’s fun, smart, soooo energetic, positive & thoughtful. This book is about her solo adventures from age 60 to 70…I couldn’t put it down & am getting ready to read it for the second time.
Take Big Bites: Adventures Around the World & Across the Table by Linda Ellerbee Love, Love, Love this book!
East Towards Dawn: A Woman’s Solo Journey Around the World by Nan Watkins
A Journey North: One Woman’s Story of Hiking the Appalachian Trail by Adrienne Hall
Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd
Sprited Waters: Soloing South Through the Inside Passage by Jennifer Hahn
Honeymoon with my Brother by Franz Wisner
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
The Magnificent Mountain Women: Adventures in the Colorado Rockies by Janet Robertson
How to Shit in the Woods by Kathleen Meyer
Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbeck
I Married Adventure: The Lives of Martin & Osa Johnson by Osa Johnson
We’re in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill by Susan Alcorn (tales & tips from seasoned women backpackers)
Other great travel writers: Bruce Chatwin, Henry David Thoreau, Frances Mayes (I really love listening to her read her books…her voice is like melted chocolate!), Edward Abbey…and many, many more!
A note on travel & literature: I love to read a book that takes place in the area I’m traveling to or by a local author. A lot of authors will refer to real places…fun to visit when you’re actually there or know something about the history of the place. Check out where you’re favorite authors live…sometimes you can visit their ‘home’ book store or go to one of their signings if it coincides with your trip. I’ve done both these things & it’s been really fun.
Social Media sites
Facebook:
Atlas Obscura
Earth Porn
Otts World Travel & Life Experiences
Carrot Quinn Hikes
Overland Bound
She Explores
Cool Works (don’t know why I keep this page…they never have any jobs listed in Kansas!)
Hektic Travels
The Road Chose Me
Just A Colorado Girl
Overland Expo
Overseas Adventure Travel
EarthRoamer
Hiker Adventure
MoJo Coastwalk
Women Who Hike
Hiking Biking Adventures
Think Colorado
Wilderness Scotland
The Real Hiking Viking
Anish Hikes
Van Camping (friends of mine!)
Hike Like a Woman
The Happier Camper
Modern Hiker
Iceland Naturally
A Little Adrift
Camping Road Trip
Outside GO
Great Outdoors Colorado
Colorado Trail Foundation
Travel
Every National Park has it’s own FB page
Instagram:
@permanentroadtrip
@madalynncarson
@cleverdever
@hereuntilthere
@jannikobenhoff
@vanderlost_
@vanventures
@sprintervandiaries
@homesweetvan
@themegansullivan
@bbcearth
@jimmy_chin
@jonathan_irish
@14erskiers
@nellysmagicmoments
@visitcrestedbutte
@kansasgaltravels
@travelcrestedbutte
@pctassociation
@findmeoutside
@anndriggers
@dirtbagdarling
@natgeotravel
@visitgcb
@joeyschusler
Podcast:
She Explores
Blogs:
I do read a bunch of blogs, but I get to them all by links through their social media pages.
Leaving you with some poster happiness!
and finally….
Wishing you many fantastic travels!