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BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON September 15, 2014

Where Artists Play: Whidbey Island, Washington

Pacific Northwest Art School

Whidbey Island, Washington prides itself as “a community that loves the arts.” Spectacular panoramic vistas of land and sea, natural habitats and abundant wildlife invite artists to stay for a day or a lifetime. Art galleries, studio tours, hands-on classes, and special events abound, inspiring creative expression as a way of life.

Just follow the Whidbey Art Trail, a self-guided, free studio tour of local artists, to see for yourself. After all, what’s more inspiring than watching artists at play in their creative space?

Mary Ellen O'Connor Artist

Listen to artists explain their creative process as they demonstrate a work in progress. Observe their rituals. Or simply soak up the energy in the indoor or outdoor studio environment. You can’t help but feel energized to explore the island and your own creative imagination.

Linnane Armstrong Artist

Celebrating its fourth year in 2014, The Whidbey Art Trail features local artists with a passion for printmaking, painting, pottery and photography as well as jewelry making, sculpture, glassblowing, weaving and woodworking.

Rob Schouten Studio

Pick up a few tips for your own creative projects, converse with the artists or become the happy owner of original, beautiful art to enrich your travel experience and support the local economy.

Dig deeper into the Whidbey art experience with a visit to an art gallery like Penn Cove Gallery in Coupeville or Rob Schouten Gallery at historic Greenbank Farm. Want to brush up on your photography skills? Invite a few friends, enroll in a class and bring out your inner artist.

Kim Tinuviel Photographer

For more information on Whidbey’s love of the arts, visit:

Whidbey Art Trail

Whidbey Life Magazine

Pacific Northwest Art School

Northwest Institute of Literary Arts

Sue Taves Artist

Wander on!

Nancy

What’s your favorite art experience, wanderboomers? Share with us here.

Filed Under: Activities, Culture, Pacific Northwest Tagged With: artists, creativity, imagination, visual arts, Whidbey Art Trail, Whidbey Island

BY Nancy Mueller 10 Comments ON December 5, 2011

Passports with Purpose Needs You!

What if you knew that your donation of only $10.00 had the power to totally transform a child’s life? Would you consider that a good return on your investment? Now in its fourth year, Passports with Purpose, is an annual fundraiser hosted by the travel bloggers’ community to spark positive change in the world through travel. This year’s fundraiser supports Room to Read, with the goal of $80,000. to build two libraries in Zambia. Last year’s event brought in nearly $65,000. to build 25 homes in a small village in South India. And in 2009, travel bloggers raised funds of almost $30,000. to build a rural school in Cambodia.

Think back to how your own life has been changed forever because of books. Maybe a teacher introduced you to a favorite author. Perhaps a librarian kindled your imagination with a book carefully selected just for you. Reading offers the thrill of escapes and adventures, magic and mysteries, even problem-solving strategies – opening up a wide world of possibilities you might never have discovered otherwise.

Your gift of $10.00 between now and December 16th can have precisely that impact. Donations go directly to the fundraiser minus a small charge for using PayPal. As if that weren’t enough, how about this? For each $10.00 donation, you have the chance to win prizes donated by event sponsors! Prizes include clothing, electronics (Kindle Fire, anyone? Or maybe you prefer a Nook tablet?), gift certificates, hotel stays, tours and travel gear. See for yourself. Please consider making a difference this holiday season through your donation to Passports with Purpose. Just one click will take you to the site. Thank you!! How has your life been influenced by the books you read as a child, Wanderboomers? What were your favorites?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Gifts, Holidays, Make a Difference Tagged With: Cambodia, children's books, Clothing, donations, electronics, fundraiser, gift certificates, imagination, India, investment, Kindle Fire Nook, librarian, libraries, Passports with Purpose, prizes, reading, Room to Read, South India, tours, travel bloggers, travel gear, Zambia

BY Nancy Mueller 32 Comments ON October 31, 2011

It Started with a Pith Helmet

At least I think there’s where my wanderlust all began . . .

More years ago than I care to remember, I was standing among my childhood friends a week before Halloween. Mrs. Banner, our elderly neighbor, had asked us to come over because she had a surprise for us. As she led us up the creaking stairs into her attic, we were wide-eyed with curiosity. What would we discover?

Across the room in the farthest corner stood a dusty, dilapadated suitcase. Mrs. Banner picked it up, placed it on a chair, and said, “Go ahead. Open it.”  I don’t remember who of us unlatched the fastening, but I do recall an overpowering smell of moth balls as we all joined in to open the suitcase.

At first we were puzzled. “What’s this?” we asked her. “Why, that’s a pith helmet, of course!” When we still looked confused, she elaborated. “World explorers wear pith helmets when they go on safaris in Africa, looking for animals like elephants and jaguars.” “And what about this?” we asked as we continued pulling out more clothing pieces. “Well, this is part of a kimono that women wear in Japan. And this one I’m sure you know. It’s a witch hat. But not just any witch hat. Oh, no. This one will take you on a broom around the world in one night – but only on Halloween, of course.”

Was that the moment my wanderlust took flight? I wonder. All I know is that Mrs. Banner had given us a priceless gift – the gift of imagination and its power to lead us beyond the border of our tiny town into a world of daring adventure. The pith helmet may be long gone, but my lust for travel goes on.

What about you Wanderboomers? Can you remember when your wanderlust began? Share your story with us here.

Have a Happy Halloween! Boo!

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Holidays, Uncategorized Tagged With: adventure, Africa, animals, attic, big game, big game hunters, brooms, costume, costumes, daring, elephants, Halloween, Halloween costume, Halloween costumes, imagination, Japan, jaquars, kimono, moth balls, pith helmet, safari, safaris, suitcase, surprise, travel, wanderlust, witch hat

BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments ON August 31, 2011

Who Was That Unmasked Man?

What is it about a man in uniform? Or the sighting of a famous actor that turns otherwise sensible movie-lovers into mush?

“Did you see him?” asks my guide, Giovanna.

“See who?” I wonder.

“Well, you know, I was having breakfast in the dining room. At first I wasn’t sure it was him. So I asked my friend who it was. He told me the man was supposed to be a famous actor but he didn’t know who. But when he told me his first name, I knew it must be him.”

“And you didn’t come to get me!?” Hmm . . . Maybe that explains the strange dreams I had last night.

I’m staying at Hacienda Cusin, a beautifully restored country estate in the northern Andes. Just the name hacienda stirs up romantic fantasies. Am I the only one who remembers (sing along with me here): “Out of the night, when the full moon is bright . . . ?” But I’m pretty sure there have been no reported sightings of Don Diego de la Vega, aka Zorro, in this country. Spain, Mexico and California, yes. In Ecuador? Not likely.

But an unmasked actor? You never know.

My visit to Hacienda Cusin comes at the recommendation of friends who dream of returning here for a week without the kids (not that they didn’t have a wonderful time here with the kids). With one panoramic glance, I can understand why.

After clattering across cobblestones, our car comes to rest in an intimate, lushly landscaped courtyard. Inside nearby scattered cottages, the first evening lights begin to flicker, creating a warm and welcoming way station for any wandering travelers off the beaten path.

Historically, these large estates were working ranches deeded to well-connected families during Spain’s colonization. The properties have long since been divided and sold off, leaving the main house and smaller buildings as lodging for travelers. Walking into my cottage room is like stepping into a time capsule. With its beamed ceilings, antique furnishings and kiva fireplace, the setting is stunning. A vase of ever-present Ecuadorian roses, colorful paintings and bed coverings complete the tableau.

The dining room is cozy and equally lovely. I overhear guests planning their next day activities, including horseback riding, Spanish classes and tour of a craft village nearby. While I love the traditional Ecuadorian meal of pork, potato cake, fried bananas and corn, my favorite meal is breakfast for its abundant fruit juices, jams and breads.

In the morning I stroll through the gardens on my way to the Establos (stables) and Monasterio (monastery) before our departure. The area is so peaceful and lovely, so restorative, that I leave with much less baggage than I had brought with me. It’s hard to ask more of my hosts than that, except maybe an introduction to that famous actor.

So who was that unmasked man? Well, even famous actors need somewhere to unwind without worrying about being recognized. And I never really saw him myself. Perhaps it’s best to leave our story with a bit of mystery and a place where our imaginations can play.

* Zorro photo courtesy of Flickr – PopCultureGeek.com

* Z photo courtesy of Flickr – LosAnheles

Next Up: The Galapagos Islands!

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations Tagged With: actor, Andes, antique furnishings, beamed ceilings, California, cobblestones, cottages, Ecuador, establos, estates, famous actor, fantasies, Guy Williams, Hacienda, Hacienda Cusin, horseback riding, imagination, kids, kiva fireplace, Mexico, monasterio, monastery, mystery, off the beaten path, ranches, romance, roses, Spain, Spanish, Spanish colonization, stables, tour, Zorro, Zorro song

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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