Special Report By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate View from a trail in Topanga State Park. Photo courtesy Linda Ballou. Living in Topanga Canyon is as far outside of Los Angeles as you can get without leaving the metropolis. Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, and the largest urban preserve in the United […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Descanso Gardens This photo and the one immediately below show Linda enjoying the Descanso Rose Garden. The Descanso Gardens, a 150-acre botanical garden and living museum in La Canada Flintridge, California is known for its diverse plant collections. It features themed gardens, walking trails, and the “Enchanted Railroad,” […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate If you’re not a devoted follower of Chinese astrology, you might not realize (a) that the Horse is the seventh animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle, or (b) that February 17, 2026 is the first day of the upcoming Chinese New Year. This is a very special year, […]
By Linda Ballou for the NABBW This current day view of Malibu shot from Serra Retreat is certainly not the view the Rindge family enjoyed in the late 1890s. Photo courtesy of Linda Ballou. Malibu is uniquely isolated from the rest of the coastal towns along the Pacific Ocean primarily because of the efforts of […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Last month Linda offered NABBW readers a handful of trips she highly recommends. Places she’s enjoyed and highly recommends. This month, she’s still urging us to put down our smart phones, walk away from the stress of social media, and get outside to let nature heal our […]
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 […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Scene from the Adobe Arcade in downtown Ojai. Photo by Ranee Ruble-Dotts courtesy of the California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns. 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 […]
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 […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Bandelier National Park protects over 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful country. It is known for its cavates — dwellings like this one — carved into the soft rock cliffs, whose existence pays tribute to the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here from approximately 1150 CE to 1550 CE. […]
By Linda Ballou, NABBW’s Adventure Travel Associate Native American Pottery found in Santa Fe’s El Museo Cultural De Santa Fe (Native American Cultural Museum) located on Museum Hill. Photo courtesy Linda Ballou. Sheltered in the foothills of Sangre de Christo Mountains, Santa Fe has served as a resting place for travelers for centuries. It has […]
