Tales from Bootlegger Bay
a place to share stories from the globe
Category: Uncategorized
Cool Gear I Like to Travel With
What seems like a millennium ago, a young backpacker from Ramona found herself hitchhiking the wilds of Southern Africa. Her backpack carried few items, yet each was integral and multipurpose or it simply didn’t get to join the party. Flash forward to modern gear,… Continue Reading “Cool Gear I Like to Travel With”
Español en Ecuador
The full moon shimmered through my balcony, gently waking me as she beckoned me. I stepped outside to greet the Southern Cross and Venus, my dear companions. This month’s full moon coincided with the vernal equinox, only too happy to celebrate spring, even in… Continue Reading “Español en Ecuador”
Iceland: I Do NOT Want to Eat a Whale Taco, Thank You
I’m drawn to Iceland’s extreme raw nature and the unpredictability of not only the ever changing weather but the knowledge that a volcanic eruption could occur at any given moment. Crawling through an ice cave inside a glacier on an active volcano feels slightly… Continue Reading “Iceland: I Do NOT Want to Eat a Whale Taco, Thank You”
Scottsdale, a Cowgirl Feels at Home
The daughter of a rancher has never owned a pair of cowgirl boots. Well, things are about to change. What better place for a western wear shopping expedition than the bustling pueblo of Scottsdale, Arizona. Sauntering into Saba’s, family owned since 1927, I’m cheerily… Continue Reading “Scottsdale, a Cowgirl Feels at Home”
A Victorian Gem in British Columbia
Jennie Butchart had a vision. Faced with a former limestone quarry as her backyard, in 1904 she started a transformation with a few sweet pea seeds and one rose bush. Today, over a million visitors a year enjoy the tranquility and beauty of Jennie’s… Continue Reading “A Victorian Gem in British Columbia”
Baja Ha Ha, a Floating Fiesta
The appropriately named Baja Ha Ha is a fun filled sailing rally, designed to transport your vessel to the sunny shores of Mexico in company with like-minded ocean explorers. While some mariners choose solitude at sea, many, including this sailor, enjoy the camaraderie provided… Continue Reading “Baja Ha Ha, a Floating Fiesta”
Pirates, Poachers and Peru
What does a girl have to do for a little adventure? Volunteer on a Sea Shepherd vessel of course! Fulfilling a long time goal, a few months ago I found myself barreling through the Mexican outback on a bus from San Diego to San… Continue Reading “Pirates, Poachers and Peru”
Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Onboard Fiji airways, there was a video ad for an eco-resort in the Yasawa Island chain that had a marine biology lab that encouraged guests to plant coral gardens and study sea life, ahh right up my alley! I couldn’t forget the quirky name… Continue Reading “Yasawa Islands, Fiji”
New Orleans Meets Fiji
Always on the search for character bars, I now have an outlet to document unique watering holes. Being a Ramona native, the bar has been set, so to speak, by the infamous Turkey Inn. Kathy and Gail, where are you? I need help documenting… Continue Reading “New Orleans Meets Fiji”
Taveuni, the Garden Island
When asked if I’ve been here before I mention I visited 30 years ago. I see them calculating, trying to figure out my age, hmmm, I joke that I was only 10. My most prolific memory is of snorkeling over a shallow reef that… Continue Reading “Taveuni, the Garden Island”