Gold Boat Journeys: Live. Write. Travel. Explore.

This week’s newsletter: Follow the Stars—On the benefits and joys of stargazing; how light pollution is preventing us from seeing our own galaxy; and where to find the darkest skies and be alerted to upcoming celestial happenings. (Heads up: Tomorrow night in the early evening in the Western Hemisphere, all three of our nearest neighbor planets will be visible without a telescope.) Learn and be inspired! Subscribe to Wanderer’s Weekly! Photo: Lia Bekyan via Unsplash. https://tinyletter.com/goodnewsmuse/letters/wanderer-s-weekly-from-gold-boat-journeys-follow-the-stars

Wanderer's Weekly from Gold Boat Journeys: Follow the Stars "For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."

This month's newsletter: Although disaster coverage can lead us to believe a place has suffered total devastation, this is often untrue. For example, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and California's wine country all need tourism to support their recovery. In this way, your trip can become its own engine of positive change. Subscribe today!

Wanderer's Weekly from Gold Boat Journeys: Facing the Flame Autumn burned brightly...a torch flung to the trees.

A Berlin tribute on the anniversary of the wall’s fall!

I Love Berlin: 15 Pop Culture Quotes | Gold Boat Journeys Here's a treasury of quotes from Twain to Dietrich, Bowie to Obama, with video from the historic day the wall fell.

On challenging my bionic knee with a bike tour, and why bicycles are still one of the best and most innovative inventions on the road to a better future.

Wanderer's Weekly from Gold Boat Journeys: Pedal Power One of the most important days of my life was when I learned to ride a bicycle.

Afternoon hike at Smith Rock State Park, named one of the seven wonders of Oregon. Misery Ridge Trail offered a big payoff for a long uphill: views of rocks, valley, the Crooked River and snow capped Cascade range over 6 miles and the equivalent of 67 flights of stairs.

Slow World Scrapbook Afternoon hike at Smith Rock State Park, named one of the seven wonders of Oregon. Misery Ridge Trail offered a big payoff for a long uphill: views of rocks, valley, the Crooked River and snow capped...

Wise words from Christine Ambrose Merrill on what's missing in that perfect(ly) boring Instagram shot.

Op-Ed: Traveling? Put down the selfie stick and be in the moment The allure of posting vacation shots on Instagram is warping how we experience the world.

Retracing Truman Capote’s Moment in the Mediterranean Sun via NY Times Travel #literary #italy #spain Before the author reached the height of his fame, he escaped to seaside idylls in southern Italy and Spain to write, swim and bask under the sun with his great love.

Let's celebrate the all-American way! (No tanks allowed. Everyone's welcome.)

At Home & Abroad, 4th of July Means Much More than Fireworks | Gold Boat Journeys #holidays #traditions #family Ellen G. Kempler

Follow in the footsteps of England's legends and literary giants: Interests Photo Gallery by 10Best.com via USA Today https://buff.ly/2Xx2SKr

Travelling back in time: Five of the best old Italian travel books - The Local #CultureTrav #bookish #armchairtravel #italy Ellen G. Kempler

The celebration continues.

On Walt Whitman’s Big Birthday, 10 Glorious Relics - The New York Times #literarytravel #poetry #exhibits #history #CultureTrav #Brooklyn Ellen G. Kempler

Visit and support these places!

Enslaved People Lived Here. These Museums Want You to Know. - The New York Times #CultureTrav #USHistory #responsibletravel Ellen G. Kempler

Japan's Craft Beer Movement Takes Off - Modern Farmer via Gold Boat Journeys #CultureTrav #craftbeer #beertraveler Ellen G. Kempler

A Journey to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Where Sleeping Beauty Awakens - The New York Times https://buff.ly/2LdGvDy

8 Author-Owned Bookstores Every Book Lover Needs To Visit #bookish #literarytravel Ellen G. Kempler

Beat the crowds.

A Journey to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Where Sleeping Beauty Awakens - The New York Times #CultureTrav Ellen G. Kempler

Food for thought.

If Seeing the World Helps Ruin It, Should We Stay Home? - The New York Times #ClimateCrisis #ResponsibleTravel #Overtourism Ellen G. Kempler

40 best non-music festivals in the UK: from food and drink to literature, yoga and meditation via inews #CultureTrav Ellen G. Kempler

2 Weeks in Greece For Every Budget - Days to Come Forgot about budget woes. We’ve mapped out 2 weeks in Greece for every budget so you can focus on the fun stuff, like planning your trip!

Plastics.

To Escape Our Plastic Future, We Need to Get Back to the Garden Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.

10 Places Where the U.S. Dollar Is Really Strong Right Now Let's be real: If money wasn't an issue, we'd be traveling non-stop. But all those life-changing meals, rejuvenating hotel stays, and outdoor adventures can add up to a painful hit to your wallet.

Skip the Golden Circle—Take Iceland's New Arctic Coast Way Instead Waterfalls, beer spas, volcanic lakes—with none of the crowds.

8 Author-Owned Bookstores To Visit On Independent Bookstore Day Today is the fifth annual Independent Bookstore Day — and these shops owned by authors like Judy Blume, Louise Erdrich, and more, are a great place to celebrate.

Squaw Valley offers $5 lift tickets for spring skiing and riding Every Friday in June, you can hit the slopes at Squaw Valley for $5 — and help local efforts to make the Tahoe area more bike-friendly.

Although, if you're already on the west coast, I'd recommend you explore on your own!

Explore Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, from wild beaches to mountain passes Gondwana EcoTours takes participants on a comprehensive tour of Olympic National Park on a nine-day guided tour.

Danish vagabond Eiler Larsen settled in Laguna Beach in 1942, when he became the self-appointed town greeter. The mayor named him official greeter in 1964, establishing a tradition that has continued since his death in 1975. The town’s current greeter, Michael Minatouli, still greets visitors on this corner today.

In Turkey, Keeping a Language of Whistles Alive Before cellphones, Turkish “bird language” allowed farmers to communicate across long distances in the Pontic Mountains.

Like watching the sunset, seeking out the Big Dipper is a vacation ritual. The term “astrotourism” has evolved to describe more intentional travel to places with dark skies and more visible stars.

Your Next Trip? It’s Written in the Stars Resorts, parks and attractions in the United States, Canada, Mexico and beyond are expanding the galaxy of what has become known as astrotourism.

Alone, Happily Alone, in the Tatra Mountains Empty hiking trails and winding roads suit the the 52 Places Traveler’s mood in Slovakia.

Finding the green soul of Costa Rica.

Pura Vida Magic A vivid narrative of a trip to Costa Rica by the 2015 Narrative Travel Writing Contest Finalist.