I was a traveler first…

I was a traveler first—and this fact continues to impact my writing.
The vacation periods from my teaching job were always used for overseas exploration. Never one for a cursory glance at a destination, I lived and worked in Munich for a year and used a second leave of absence for one long, life-changing loop around the Pacific Rim. My bio offers more info, but the point is that I was a traveler before I became a writer—not the other way around. Considering this, I guess it’s not surprising that I enjoy writing for real travelers—for people who want to experience a destination, not just look at it. For people who want to interact with local residents and explore the natural surroundings.

I also lived in Australia and New Zealand and spent significant amounts of time in other Pacific Rim countries. By then, I’d perfected the art of delving beyond the obvious. In fact, I rarely write about “top” tourist attractions, unless it’s to reveal a fresh perspective or a way to go behind the scene. I’m happiest when I can write about hidden gems and the road less traveled and share insider info with my readers.

While I went solo on my earlier trips, I’m now married to photographer Richard Adams. We research and photograph destinations for my monthly feature in Ranch & Coast, for my website Authentic Luxury Travel, and other freelance writing assignments. We don’t accept press trip invitations, but welcome the advice and assistance of public relations colleagues.

In spite of our extensive overseas experience, I’ve probably written more about San Diego than any other destination. I love sharing the “scoop” on my hometown with would-be visitors and helping them get the most out of their stay. To this end, I started La Jolla Travel Information, a blog that’s full of insider information on my backyard.

I’m equally capable of writing about New Zealand—my home-away-from-home for many years. In addition to telling travelers about this country’s highlights, I also enjoy describing the lesser-known beauty spots, off-beat places to stay and dine, and recreational options that are popular with local residents. I’ve spent so much time in New Zealand that one reviewer labeled me a “Californian Kiwiphile.”

Whenever it’s appropriate, I like to write in a casual, first-person style, mixing sense-of-place descriptions with anecdotes and useful information. Click here to see a selection of clips. My bio has a complete list of published writing.