Haunting, thought provoking and gorgeous are some of the adjectives that come to mind when looking through the photographs of Ed Alior at CNNTravel. Alior has retraced the route that William Least Heat-Moon made famous when he traveled along the back roads of the U.S. and wrote about it in his book "Blue Highways." Alior's photographs attest to how things can change over the years and what has remained the same.

Along with presenting ten of Alior's lush photographs of back-road scenery, CNN's feature, "Back-road adventurer on America's 'Blue Highways'" includes an interview with Heat-Moon.

In the interview, Heat-Moon talks about how he has seen the U.S. back-roads' landscape change over the years, both for the good and the bad. There's a tone of melancholy for what has changed--most noticeably the Mom and Pop establishments that have given way to hard times or the competition of chain restaurants.

Heat-Moon has also noticed the sprawl of cities into suburbia and on out into rural areas. As he puts it, a "'quarter of a century ago, towns that still had limits -- discernible edges -- now can look like they're getting swallowed by an inoperable cancer. . .'"

The repercussions, he feels, have altered the genuineness of place and that we haven't done much as a country to see what all this sprawl has cost us. On the other hand, he does point out positive change. It's change that is heart-warming.

As Heat-Moon traveled in the last ten years, he's noticed that there's more racial harmony and the racial slurs he used to hear pepper conversations are not being said.

Read the rest of the interview here. I was particularly interested in his take on how travel has been altered. One thing Heat-Moon has found, if you're looking for a cheap place to stay off the beaten path these days, lots of luck.

Thanks to Jaunted for pointing me in the direction of this read.

Photo essay of Blue Highways and what's changed over the years originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Gadling readers compile Belize must-sees

Gadling readers compile Belize must-sees originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Avalon travel writer, Joshua Berman, whose Moon Belize guidebook (8th edition) hit book stands in October, took time from his busy book tour to answer a few questions about travel, writing, and living and breathing idyllic Central America.

Don't forget to enter the Gadling Giveaway of the latest edition HERE (you only have until tomorrow to enter!), or read my glowing review of Moon Belize HERE.

Enjoy the interview!

GAD: Not that I'm criticizing your choice here, but how did you end up in Belize? In your mind, what makes it such a special travel destination?
JB: It was a natural northerly progression, beginning in Nicaragua in 1998, where I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer; followed by Honduras as both a trip leader and guidebook researcher. Then one day my publisher asked if I would take over Moon Belize from Chicki Mallan, the book's original author, who was retiring. I said yes.

GAD: Based on your experiences living and traveling in Nicaragua and other parts of Central America, how does Belize contrast with its neighbors?
JB: Belize is less crowded, more diverse, more expensive, and just as tranquilo as Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America and its heritage as a British colony also makes it stand out from the rest of Central America (including Belizeans' unique affinity for dark beer and stout).

Continue reading Talking Travel with Avalon travel writer, Joshua Berman

Talking Travel with Avalon travel writer, Joshua Berman originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• To enter, identify the one activity/place in Belize that you would absolutely not want to pass up when you go there.
• The comment must be left before Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
• You may enter only once.
• One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
• One winner will receive a copy of Moon Belize, valued at $17.95.
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
• Click HERE for complete Official Rules.

Moon Belize Giveaway originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading The newest edition of Moon Belize is a gem

The newest edition of Moon Belize is a gem originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jason Barger already knew a fair amount about people before he headed off his 7-day, 7-airport travel spree to do nothing but watch them interact. He'd spent many a spring break leading adolescents and adults on house-building ventures in Mexico, a trip that took him through various airports with a band of travelers of all ages, for example.

Wanting more fodder to further develop his ideas about airport behavior and what it says about humanity, he decided to airport hop logging thousands of miles and observations as he zig zagged across the U.S. While he watched people either shine with behavior that would make Mom proud --or in such a way that if they were a piece of luggage no one would claim them, Barger honed his ideas about how the airport is a perfect metaphor for modern day life.

The result was Step Back from the Baggage Claim, a book that Barger hopes people will leave on a bench somewhere for someone else to pick up once they're done reading it. The result of passing the book along will be that people will think about how they interact as they move through their day.

Ever since I read Barger's book, I've made my own observations about airport interactions. It does seem he's onto something. Over the past months since his book came out, gaining steam through venues like the Washington Post and ABC News, I've kept up with Barger's efforts. Yesterday, there was a post on his new video.

Today is a Talking Travel interview with questions Barger answered through e-mail in between a trip to the Dominican Republic to help with a house-building effort there. If you are looking for a tasty bite to eat that's not expensive while passing through an airport, Barger has a suggestion.

With Thanksgiving travel rapidly approaching, listening to Barger's advice to step back from the baggage claim is not a bad idea.

Continue reading Talking Travel with Step Back from the Baggage Claim, Jason Barger

Talking Travel with Step Back from the Baggage Claim, Jason Barger originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Back in April, Gadling reviewed Step Back from the Baggage Claim, a book Jason Barger wrote about human behavior based on a seven- day trip he took to seven airports without leaving any of them.

For the entire week he observed how people conduct themselves in airports and on planes--places he sees as metaphors for life.

This video, just released yesterday, encapsulates what Barger was looking for when he went airport hopping and what he hopes might occur because of his experiences and the book he wrote as a result of them.

Yes, dear Gadling readers, according to Barger, if we learn to behave at the airport, we might change the world.

Along with Barger's message, this video captures airport bustle and interactions in a nutshell.

Stay tuned tomorrow for an interview with Barger. All airports are not created equal.

Step Back from the Baggage Claim: Good airport behavior could change the world originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Bookmobile: swapping stories and hitting the road originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

During this week, the start of Gadling's 5th birthday celebration, we've also highlighted aspects of eco-friendly travel and have continued to ferret out travel bargains. Brenda found a screaming deal on a trip to China. Heather's weighed in on how to get free beer from a flight attendant and provides a reminder as to what NOT to do as well. I haven't been given free beer on a flight, but I have been given free wine.

Here five other posts that cover subjects from sports to destinations to eats. This week was filled with such goodies, it was hard to pick.

• Although it may not be the cheapest destination to reach, Alice Springs, Australia has much to offer. Mike was fortunate enough to see this Outback location from the vantage point of a hot air balloon. Lucky him!
• In one of the most creative ways to fund travel that I've heard about in awhile--if ever, Daniel Seddiqui lined up 50 jobs in 50 states. Katie's post highlights how Daniel did it and gives just enough of a taste to make us want more details about Seddiqui's grand idea. We'll have to wait for his book. Here's hoping he'll send it Gadling's way when he's done.
• One of the great things about traveling is being exposed to the variety of ways in which people entertain themselves around the world. Grant found an amazing video of people playing Sepak Takraw in Thailand, something he relates to volleyball and hackey sack with an acrobatic twist.
• Sepak Takraw isn't the only unusual aspect of Asia we've highlighted this week. Catherine found out about a dwarf village in China. This village near Kunming is actually a theme park where 80 dwarf residents perform musical numbers. I have to say, this place sounds odd, but very intriguing. Catherine's wondering if she should go there after she moves to Kunming in the next couple of weeks. I'm wondering how can she not?
• In Chicago, Felony Franks is an intriguing restaurant that hires ex-convicts to serve up the dogs and french fries. Tom also points to similar establishments doing good work while serving the public in San Francisco and Trenton, New Jersey.

And one more. Here's some music for your weekend. In the "Top 10 travel-themed 50's songs," a follow-up to Jeremy's post on the "Top 10 travel-themed '80's songs," there are some songs you probably know. One song I didn't know before has become my new favorite. "Wayward Wind" captures so much about how hard it is to pin a world traveler down.

Gadling Take FIVE-- Week of Oct. 10 to Oct. 16 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cockpit Chronicles: "Flying Drunk" by Joe Balzer

Cockpit Chronicles: "Flying Drunk" by Joe Balzer originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, was the guest of last night's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Stewart, with the energy akin to an adolescent Golden Labrador, gave Sullenberger-- one of the more reserved and modest people on the planet, a venue to talk about his new book and rehash details about that day and its aftermath.

Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters is not only about that day back in January. It's about all the moments that led up to the point when Sullenberger decided to go for the river landing. For Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles, that decision changed how they view their purpose in life.

As Sullenberger says, the plane landing was much needed good news for people. Last January, when the river event happened, the economy was in shambles. Job loss and foreclosures were taking up much of the news and producing a sense of hopelessness. The plane landing gave a boost towards hopeful thinking.

As a result of that day, and the response afterwards, both Sullenberger and Skiles have looked for ways to continue to make positive contributions--in essence to keep hope alive.

Along with highlighting Sullenberger's book and rehashing the details of that remarkable airplane landing, the interview with Sullenberger was seasoned with Stewart's brand of wacky fun. Pick a situation and Stewart can find the absurd.

Continue reading Chesley Sullenberger, of Hudson River plane landing fame, touts new book on the Daily Show

Chesley Sullenberger, of Hudson River plane landing fame, touts new book on the Daily Show originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been a long time since I've read a book I couldn't put down. In fact, your book, Time of my Life, made me wish my commuter flight from New York to Los Angeles would never end. It's that good! With heavy issues like abandonment, divorce, escape and fate, what inspired you to write the book?

Well, I'd been contemplating doing a time-travel story, but I wasn't quite sure how to go about it. I mentioned it to my agent, and I think she was deeply perplexed by both the idea and me! But I didn't know how to sort it out in my mind. But then one afternoon while the idea was brewing, my best friend called while she was on vacation where her ex-boyfriend lived, and she said, "I'm so weirded out...I can't stop thinking about what my life might have been like."

Then we had one of those intimate life conversations that you can only have with your closest friends, about her what-ifs and my what-ifs, and I assured her that this was all very normal, even though people didn't really talk about how much they wonder about what could have been. We hung up, and I headed out for a run, and BAM...the idea, characters and plotlines just presented themselves very clearly. I came home, wrote what are now the first 14 pages, and sent them off to my agent, who flipped for them. I think, as so many of us get older and look back on our younger years with nostalgia, it's very easy to consider what the other possibilities could have been --and I wanted to explore that.

As a flight attendant, I love my job because it allows me to jump on a plane and go wherever I want whenever I want, as long as there's an open seat available. Just knowing I can travel like that brings a sense of calm to my life. My job also allows for a little "me time" since I'm gone for a few days at a time each month. Women today are so busy working full time jobs and then going home to clean the house, make dinner and take care of others, they have a tendency to forget about themselves. Which is why I believe escape is a popular theme for women and why so many women wonder about what could have been if they had made different choices in life. Have you as a wife, mother, and a New York Time's best selling author, ever wondered - what if?

Continue reading Galley Gossip: Interview with New York Times best selling author Allison Winn Scotch

Galley Gossip: Interview with New York Times best selling author Allison Winn Scotch originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Hungry Planet: What the World Eats

Hungry Planet: What the World Eats originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• I love traveling to remote places in the world. Here's just a sneak peek at a few of Earth's final frontiers. [via Open Travel]
  
• Even grown adults (such as myself) can't get enough of Harry Potter, so to quench that thirst a bit Universal Studios in Orlando is opening a Harry Potter Theme Park next spring complete with a Hogwarts School, Hog's Head Pub, and more. Hooray! [via Faster Times]
• Maybe it's because my cousins are on a safari of their own that I happened upon this. Check out these 6 ways to see endangered species without endangering them anymore. [via Treehugger]
• And finally, if you're brave enough and have the stomach enough, then give these weird foods from around the world a try. [via BootsNAll]

Gadlinks for Friday 9.18.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With summer coming to a close, don't despair. Use Labor Day's respite from work as a time to set your sights on future travel. Pouring over the pages of National Geographic's 10 Best of Everything for Families by Susan H. Magsamen is an eye-candy path to an ideas bonanza. Having future travel goals can help one feel better about being back to work or school.

When I leafed through this book, it was clear, it could take years to sample even a fraction of the ideas. Close to home or far away, the "10 best of everything" includes 10 several times over. For example, do you want to know where you can find the 10 best sandcastle competitions? The 10 best coastal cliffs? How about the 10 best farm visits? The 10 best African gatherings? It's all here and more.

Magsamen must have had a time of it keeping track of her notes and figuring out how best to organize this vast body of information. The result is impressive.

Continue reading Travel Read: The 10 Best of Everything for Families

Travel Read: The 10 Best of Everything for Families originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of summer´s last weekends has come and gone. Enjoy the warm sun while it lasts! ... and take some time to enjoy these travel tales as well.

• What´s more fitting when visiting tragically romantic Italy than catching a great opera -- or a opera festival! The Verona Opera Festival ends August 30! (via Intelligent Travel)
• I love sweets and I love the idea of Iceland sweets. You see, I haven´t been to Iceland yet, so I wouldn´t know, but based on this article, I´m all for Iceland -- and sweets. (via Faster Times)
• I feel Tom Gates´s pain. I too am writing a book and have found countless ways to not write it. I guess traveling is a great way to procrastinate -- or be inspired. (via The Traveler´s Notebook)
• I miss Cuba. At least I can say I miss it, though. Many Americans just want the chance to see it legally. Follow the link to hear all about Cuba´s allure. (via World Hum)

'Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

More Gadlinks HERE.

Gadlinks for Monday 8.24.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Craig and Linda Martin have been traveling the world together since 2006. In that time, they've launched the Indie Travel Podcast and turned it into a successful website (they were named Best Podcast in Lonely Planet's 2009 Travel Blog Awards) and an excellent source of information for the independent traveler. Now, in a time when major glossies seem to be folding right and left, they've launched a magazine. You've got to admire that kind of moxie.

The Indie Travel Podcast website combines inspiring destination features with practical advice, like how to use Skype and other internet phone services or what to look for when booking a hostel. There are also entertaining and informative podcasts, videos and hotel reviews. The newly launched magazine combines the best features of the website with the same Indie Travel focus - it's geared towards independent, adventurous travelers, and budget and long-term travelers.

The Indie Travel Podcast Magazine launches September 1. There will be four issues per year, available at NZ$40 (around US$27) including postage. I had a chance to take a sneak peak and was quite impressed with the quality of the production and the writers (familiar names in the blogosphere) attached to the project.

Continue reading Indie Travel Podcast launches new magazine

Indie Travel Podcast launches new magazine originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It was just about four months ago that Gadling reported the launch of a great new travel resource and bookstore, GuideGecko.com. Now, GuideGecko, the innovative publishing platform for travel, lifestyle and entertainment guides, has just announced its first travel writing contest in conjunction with the world's largest book fair in Frankfurt, Germany.

From now to September 24, authors from all over the world can submit their own travel, lifestyle or entertainment guides, and the winning titles will be showcased at the fair. The top prize is a personal trip to the fair in October 2009.

Continue reading GuideGecko's travel writing contest

GuideGecko's travel writing contest originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Listen to Times Online's eco-holiday discussion today! originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Katie offers you not 10, not 20, but 28 (!!!) ways to save money for traveling. I didn't even know I spent my money in more ways than one! [via BootsNAll]
• I can't tell you how many times I've been underwhelmed by a travel destination because my expectations of the place were too high. This article about tourist traps for real travelers helps us understand this phenomenon. [via OpenTravel]
• Gadling just wrapped up Hotel Month, so I guess I've had hotels on the brain. Our witty friends over at Travel Rants give us several things to consider with regard to the future of quality hotel reviews.
• If you own a Kindle or are willing to lug these doozies around, they make for great travel reads -- especially if you're on a very long journey somewhere. [via Vagablogging]

Gadlinks for Wednesday 8.5.09 originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.