Learning to Travel Hurt

I'm a Florida native - so flat comes naturally - whose itchy feet have paused in Albany and St. Simons Island, GA; Newport, RI; Bremerton, Tracyton, Seattle and Kirkland, WA; and Izmir and Sinop, Turkey.
Sand in my shoes from Atlantic Beach insured an eventual return to Jacksonville, Florida, but the itch continues.

Turns out I wasn't the female Picasso so expression turned to words which were much better at relaying what it's like to hold down a sports car's canvas top during a howling snowstorm on the Jersey Turnpike...
... Or what to do when my Turkish neighbors thought I was giving them the evil eye...
... Having a blown-out knee tended by an Iranian physician in a Norwegian emergency room who turned out to be a graduate of the University of Florida and the cousin of a good friend...
... Then there was the challenge from a bull sea lion in the Galapagos Islands.

Backing into travel writing was inevitable and I've been there ever since, in health and in pain - which inspired the Travel on the Level blog, because when you hurt, flat is where it's at.

Along the way, professional experience includes 20 years as humor and society columnist, travel writer/photographer, food, film, visual and theater arts critic and senior feature writer for The Florida Times-Union * Editor, Folio Weekly Magazine * Partner, The A Team Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Agency * Novelist, New American Library * Freelance writer/photographer.

Member, Society of American Travel Writers.

Do I know accidents or what?

That's me with the rapidly swelling taped and ice packed knee in the photo. Had just checked out of Red Mountain Spa after a blissful stay when I was accidentally backed over by the kid driving a cart truck! Unfortunately it was the knee that hadn't been replaced - yet. Made it back home that night and was at the orthopedist's the next day.

Disclaimer

Some of the trips described in this site have been provided or subsidized by tourist boards and public relations reps, others have been taken independently and at my own expense. In many cases I have received discounted media rates.

In no instance has this influenced my reporting, nor have I ever been paid for an opinion or favorable writeup. Flat is flat, hilly is hilly, steps are steps (and I count them!) and no amount of spin can change that.

If my hosts, fellow travelers or locals can suggest an easier way to reach an attraction, I try it.

If an attraction isn't worth the effort, I say so.

Much information comes from simple but informed observation. If I'm getting special treatment but another person or group isn't, I base reports on their experience.

Such travel opportunities merely make it possible for me to provide you with advice and tips.

I've been reporting and writing about destinations and services for more than 25 years. Reputation and credibility are my most important possessions and it would take MUCH more than a free trip, meal or drink to risk jeopardizing them.

Travel on the Level because Flat is where it's at when you hurt!