Linda Ballou
Linda's mission is to experience as many beautiful places on our planet as she can before they are no more. Travel tales relating her experiences while kayaking, horseback riding, sailing, birding and hiking about the globe have appeared in numerous national magazines. She had great fun collecting travel stories, and profiles of people she met in “naturally high places” for her book, Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales. Her latest book Lost Angel Unleashed is the third book in her Lost Angel Trilogy
Go to LostAngelAdventures.com for more adventures.
For more about Linda’s novels and media offerings go to. www.LindaBallouAuthor.com
By Linda Ballou for the NABBW Malibu is uniquely isolated from the rest of the coastal towns along the Pacific Ocean primarily because of the efforts of one feisty and highly accomplished American businesswoman, Rhoda May Knight Rindge, also known as May Rindge or May K. Many people call her …By Linda Ballou for the NABBW Malibu is uniquely isolated from the rest of the coastal towns along the Pacific Ocean primarily because of the efforts of one feisty and highly accomplished Ameri…By Linda Ballou for the NABBW Malibu is uniquely isolated from the rest of the coastal towns along the Pacific Ocean primarily because of the efforts of one feisty and highly accomplished American businesswoman, Rhoda May Knight Rindge, also known as May Rindge or May K. Many people call her the "Queen of Malibu," or alternately the "Founding Mother of Malibu." In 1893, May's husband, Fredrick Rindge, purchased the 13,315-acre Spanish Land Grant, which he dubbed Rancho Malibu. His "corner of paradise" enjoyed a sea breeze, the shade of stately oaks in the mountains, trout filled stream…
Linda Ballou
January 9, 2026
Review by Anne L. Holmes for the NABBW: The first thing that grabs your attention when you behold this book is the gorgeous photo on the cover, which depicts two beautiful horses running across a grassy field, tails flying, against a backdrop of rolling hills and a forest of trees, starting to …Review by Anne L. Holmes for the NABBW: The first thing that grabs your attention when you behold this book is the gorgeous photo on the cover, which depicts two beautiful horses running across a…Review by Anne L. Holmes for the NABBW: The first thing that grabs your attention when you behold this book is the gorgeous photo on the cover, which depicts two beautiful horses running across a grassy field, tails flying, against a backdrop of rolling hills and a forest of trees, starting to display their fall colors. You start to really suspect that horses are an important part of this highly readable memoir when you turn to the book's back cover, and see that the publisher is Bold Horses Press, in Ringgold, Georgia. Leaf through, and you'll find yourself reading chapter titles that…
Anne Holmes
December 13, 2025
By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate NOTE to READERS: Last month Linda offered NABBW readers a handful of "giftable" travel-related books related to trips she highly recommends. All books she's enjoyed about places she would visit again in a heartbeat. This month, she's sti…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate NOTE to READERS: Last month Linda offered NABBW readers a handful of "giftable" travel-related books related to trips she highly recommen…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate NOTE to READERS: Last month Linda offered NABBW readers a handful of "giftable" travel-related books related to trips she highly recommends. All books she's enjoyed about places she would visit again in a heartbeat. This month, she's still urging us to put down our smart phones, walk away from the stress of day-to-day life -- not to mention the siren call of social media -- and get outside to allow time in nature to heal our souls. Hopeful that we are listening, today she's sharing seven of her all-time favorite trips. Which one wi…
Linda Ballou
December 5, 2025
By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Hello friends! It's my hope that today's article will be a timely and practical one which is designed to help you find the perfect gift for any number of upcoming gifting events. Below you'll find a healthy helping of gift ideas designed to ap…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Hello friends! It's my hope that today's article will be a timely and practical one which is designed to help you find the perfect gift for any…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Hello friends! It's my hope that today's article will be a timely and practical one which is designed to help you find the perfect gift for any number of upcoming gifting events. Below you'll find a healthy helping of gift ideas designed to appeal to your friends, family and associates who are fans of -- or actively involved in adventure travel. (And yes, you can also gift any of these ideas to yourself. Or add them to your personal holiday and birthday gift lists.) Yes, I'm sharing my personal list of great gifts designed to appeal to a…
Linda Ballou
October 27, 2025
By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate A moisture-laden, bone chilling wind funneled up from the canyon as I stood on a vista point on California’s Highway 1, aka the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH. The aquamarine sea laced in frilly white, lapped at the rocky cove below. Formed …By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate A moisture-laden, bone chilling wind funneled up from the canyon as I stood on a vista point on California’s Highway 1, aka the Pacific Coast…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate A moisture-laden, bone chilling wind funneled up from the canyon as I stood on a vista point on California’s Highway 1, aka the Pacific Coast Highway or PCH. The aquamarine sea laced in frilly white, lapped at the rocky cove below. Formed by relentless energy crashing on its shore for millennia, the rugged coast of Big Sur remains free and wild. Humans have tried to bend this beauty to their will, but thankfully, Big Sur remains unconquered. Presently, a six-mile portion of the highway from one mile south of Esalen to two miles nort…
Linda Ballou
July 25, 2025
By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Nestled in the heart of the fertile Willamette Valley, Corvallis, Oregon is located just forty-five minutes from the Oregon coast. It enjoys mild temperatures year-round, without the dense fog and blustery winds of typical coastal towns. It …By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Nestled in the heart of the fertile Willamette Valley, Corvallis, Oregon is located just forty-five minutes from the Oregon coast. It enjoys mi…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Nestled in the heart of the fertile Willamette Valley, Corvallis, Oregon is located just forty-five minutes from the Oregon coast. It enjoys mild temperatures year-round, without the dense fog and blustery winds of typical coastal towns. It is also just far enough off Hwy 5, the main artery from Portland south, to avoid industrial development. Corvallis offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown. In addition, a tapestry of organic farms as well as vineyards that…
Linda Ballou
June 6, 2025
By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Just thirteen miles inland from the coast, Ojai enjoys a moderate climate all year round. Long heralded as a place of health, serenity and a cradle of creativity, the valley nestled at the base of the Topatopa Mountains, harbors secrets for …By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Just thirteen miles inland from the coast, Ojai enjoys a moderate climate all year round. Long heralded as a place of health, serenity and a …By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Just thirteen miles inland from the coast, Ojai enjoys a moderate climate all year round. Long heralded as a place of health, serenity and a cradle of creativity, the valley nestled at the base of the Topatopa Mountains, harbors secrets for you to discover. There are only 8,000 permanent residents in Ojai, but since it is about an hour away from Los Angeles, weekends in Ojai are a beehive of activity. Many music and other events take place at the Libbey Bowl and Park. The 9-mile Ojai hiking and biking trail traces the entrance to the v…
Linda Ballou
May 21, 2025
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Now is the time to plan your summer holiday. Here are some tips to help you streamline the process. Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in shaping travel experiences. Travelers are utilizing AI-powered tools for personalized trip p…By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Now is the time to plan your summer holiday. Here are some tips to help you streamline the process. Artificial intelligence plays a significant …By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Now is the time to plan your summer holiday. Here are some tips to help you streamline the process. Artificial intelligence plays a significant role in shaping travel experiences. Travelers are utilizing AI-powered tools for personalized trip planning, enhancing convenience, and customizing their journeys. Expedia, Travelocity, and others provide flight, lodging, and car rental information, but there are new AI tools to make your travel planning easier and more efficient. Roam Around helps you find places that are not on everyone’s h…
Linda Ballou
March 24, 2025
By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate As if The City of Santa Fe isn’t fully wondrous enough on its own, it further serves as a springboard for multiple exciting northern New Mexico day trips. I suggest visiting Georgia O’Keeffe’s Home and Studio in Abiquiú, Ghost Ranch, Lo…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate As if The City of Santa Fe isn’t fully wondrous enough on its own, it further serves as a springboard for multiple exciting northern New Mexi…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate As if The City of Santa Fe isn’t fully wondrous enough on its own, it further serves as a springboard for multiple exciting northern New Mexico day trips. I suggest visiting Georgia O’Keeffe’s Home and Studio in Abiquiú, Ghost Ranch, Los Alamos, Bandelier National Monument, Nambe Falls, and -- for a bit more action -- signing on for a rafting excursion or two on the Rio Grande. Sixty miles north of Santa Fe in the scenic Chama River (Rio Chama) Valley is culturally rich Abiquiú (pronounced "a buh kyoo," the word means "wild cho…
Linda Ballou
November 12, 2024
By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Sheltered in the foothills of Sangre de Christo Mountains, Santa Fe has served as a resting place for travelers for centuries. It has become a cradle of creativity for artists of all stripes. With over 250 art galleries representing art from…By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Sheltered in the foothills of Sangre de Christo Mountains, Santa Fe has served as a resting place for travelers for centuries. It has become …By Linda Ballou, NABBW's Adventure Travel Associate Sheltered in the foothills of Sangre de Christo Mountains, Santa Fe has served as a resting place for travelers for centuries. It has become a cradle of creativity for artists of all stripes. With over 250 art galleries representing art from around the globe, the most ardent collectors will find the perfect piece to take home. The Spanish conquistadors who arrived in Santa Fe in the 1600s were quick to seize this prime northern New Mexico haven. They subjugated the native Pueblo people and used them to build their churches and gover…
Linda Ballou
October 14, 2024
In 1961 Douglas Rainsford Tompkins was one of the first to summit Mt. Fitzroy in the depths of southern Chile, and he fell in love with the magnitude and majesty of one of the few remaining wild places on Earth. An avid outdoors man, he founded The North Face outdoor clothing and gear company and wa…In 1961 Douglas Rainsford Tompkins was one of the first to summit Mt. Fitzroy in the depths of southern Chile, and he fell in love with the magnitude and majesty of one of the few remaining wild place…In 1961 Douglas Rainsford Tompkins was one of the first to summit Mt. Fitzroy in the depths of southern Chile, and he fell in love with the magnitude and majesty of one of the few remaining wild places on Earth. An avid outdoors man, he founded The North Face outdoor clothing and gear company and was co-founder of Esprit, both hugely successful enterprises. But his passion for the land prompted him to drop out of society to live in a small cottage in southern Chile with 150 million dollars in his piggy bank. He became an environmentalist with the dream of buying huge swaths of land and working…
Linda Ballou
August 28, 2024
Hello! After along unanticipated break, I am back to posting my blogs on NABBW and BabyBoomer.org. My recent hiatus, not by my own choice, has come to an end, finally. The past 10 months have been a whirlwind for me. Ups and downs, for sure, along with finding some joy in the ride. It all began las…Hello! After along unanticipated break, I am back to posting my blogs on NABBW and BabyBoomer.org. My recent hiatus, not by my own choice, has come to an end, finally. The past 10 months have been a …Hello! After along unanticipated break, I am back to posting my blogs on NABBW and BabyBoomer.org. My recent hiatus, not by my own choice, has come to an end, finally. The past 10 months have been a whirlwind for me. Ups and downs, for sure, along with finding some joy in the ride. It all began last July when I went to New York City to visit a friend. There were storms along the way. That meant I ended up sitting in both the LA and Boston airports for a total of 5 hours due to grounded connecting flights. What should have been a 5-hour flight took 10 hours. Needless to say, I started my visit…
NABBW
June 21, 2024
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