New Life in An Old World

NADUR, GOZO, MALTA – Travel Journalists, photographers, and hotel scouts, Mary Charlebois and Kevin Scanlon are making Malta their new home.

Finding a Galway Pub

Back home in CA after 60-days in the EU, photos and stories are in the works. Here’s the first one to go live on TravelAwaits.

Westin Rancho Mirage: Up, Up & Away

Balloons performed a’ balloon glow’ for the stage backdrop during Grooves @ The Westin. The jazz concert premiered the outdoor concert venue – The Backyard.

Little River Inn ~ Mendocino Coast

Little River Inn in northern California, is spectacular, but that’s not the best reason to stay there. Yes, it’s a stunning and historic property on the edge of Northern California’s wild Pacific in the town of Little River. The backside of the grounds are embraced by Redwood Forest. There is an Audubon-Certified golf course. Yes,…

A Perfect California Group Tour

Group tours have been something I avoid when traveling. Huge, hot busses, packed with complaining passengers; standing in long lines for everything, including bio-breaks, were my past tour experiences. No thanks.

A Walk on Marsaskala Harbor

A Walk on Marsaskala Harbor in Malta led me to fisherman with awfully long poles, salt pans, a raided palace, street art, the ghost of Muammar Gaddafi, and a Bulgarian stalker.

The fishing boats of Marsaxlokk…

It’s early morning. The sky is changing from deep indego to gold. The fishing boats of Marsaxlokk bob quietly in the harbor. Fisherman sit under a shelter drinking coffee and eating Maltese pastries. On a stripped bench, a deckhand catches a few winks. The conversations are mostly in Maltese, but I hear English, Italian, and a language I think might be an African dialect.

Avila Beach California…

Avila Beach is a small but lively beach community on California’s Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County.

Sofa Tour 4—St Augustine Beach…

White sand dunes, sea oats, sea turtle nest, gentle surf, and clouds swelling on the Atlantic horizon. The uncrowded beach is quiet as the sun rises. It’s standard on St Augustine Beach Florida.

Sofa Tour 2 – Santa Rosa…

Sofa Tour Two – Santa Rosa is a mélange of cultures, art, history, a vibrant foodie scene, classic and progressive wineries and breweries, one of the largest farmers markets in Northern California, and very friendly folks.

Wow, I Am a Winner!

The 2020 Captain Jetson Airline and Travel News Journalist Awards go to our top-10 professionals whose articles consistently caught our eyes delivering riveting content in 2019. Captain Les, Publisher, Captain Jetson Thank you Captain Jetson for honoring me with your 2020 Captain Jetson Airline and Travel News Journalist Award .I’m very proud to be included in this…

Love Letter for an Airline…

I was already a fan of Virgin, both domestic and international, but this experience placed the airline at the top of my list.

They Say I’m a Travel Expert…

I’m pleased to be included in Travel Awaits’ Travel Experts Reveal Their Favorite U.S. National Parks article. In this parks roundup, I talk-up Yosemite, a place I’ve visited many times over the years, in fact, as recently as August 2019.

Libations anyone?

Yes, I have become one of those people, … … you know, the type that photographs everything they eat and drink; but I have a good excuse, “it’s my job.” Being a freelance travel journalist and photographer is the best gig ever. It may not pay so well, but the perks are delightful. Enjoy these “my…

Wine Country – Napa Alternatives

Captain Jetson is the one-stop hub for aviation, travel, and flying news. The website and newsletter are expanding to include destination and general travel content.

30-Days in Malta—Chapter 3

The Maltese are great cooks and renowned chefs. In the center of the Mediterranean, the best ingredients in the world are at Malta’s doorstep. Seafood from the Mediterranean Sea, fruit, veg and spices from Morocco, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and the Middle East.

London Steam Train Expeditions

Steam train service will offer vintage train journeys from London’s Waterloo Station to Windsor. While aboard indulge in a champagne brunch in elegant Pullman Style Dining carriages.

30-Days in Malta – Chapter 2

The Maltese Islands are known for their celebrations. There are numerous festivals throughout the year. Feast days, harvest festivals fireworks festivals, music festivals, art festivals, village festas, regattas, and many more.

Road Trip ~ San Simeon

Along California’s Central Coast, in San Simeon you’ll find wildlife, waves, wilderness and wine. Soak up nature and Old California history.

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Depart from the tiny yellow Garibaldi station. A ride behind a historic steam engine along Oregon’s Tillamook coast.

Thank you, we made it!

“We published hundreds of stories….from all over…and your story rose to the top of the heap!”
–Max Hartshorne, Editor, GoNOMAD

Top-10 Stories of 2018

I’ve traveled like a mad woman. I spent 30-days in England and 17-days in Central Coastal California. I’ve made short getaways to San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Gualala, Point Arena, and Bodega.

Welcome to MendoLand…

California is falling into the ocean and has been, for thousands of years. There is a remote and wild place where you can see every stage of the geologic process happening. It’s an area so dynamic, yet so fragile; it’s protected in perpetuity as a national monument.

100-Words—1-Photo

The Travel 100 shares snippets of real-life travel experiences from around the globe.

In Case You Missed it…

I spent a week on the backroads in my rented car. I surveyed the desolate Bodmin Moor on the interior and fell in love with water worlds on both Cornish coasts.

CHAPTER 2 – England, I’ll be there soon

Five months from now, I’ll be in England Hopefully, my body clock will adjust quickly. I’ll fly 11-hours non-stop, to reach my destination which is five hours ahead by the clock. Hummmmmm? Is this what jet lag’s all about? Arriving in London August 2nd, I’ll spend a couple days and evenings looking for rooftop locations…

2017- My Favorite Photos

Prolific doesn’t say enough when it comes to my photography. I take 1000s of pics in a year. 2017 was photo-op filled from my travels around the country. California, Oregon, Florida, Washington DC (twice), Chicago, New York City, and all the states between Chicago and San Francisco filled my travel card in 2017. I traveled…

Top-10 Stories For 2017

What a year. 100s of photos, 1000s of words, 12,000 miles or more, and lots of adventure. 2017 has been my best journalist year, life-changing in fact. I didn’t see my work in any of my publishers 2017 top story lists. I decided to review my efforts for the year and name ten of my…

i Flew at iFly

April and May were filled with my Great Oregon Road Trip. I spent five weeks immersing myself in Oregon, its people, food, history and nature. It will take months to write about it all. Here is one little bit I just had to share… Thanks for stopping by, MaryGo

Great Oregon road trip

My great Oregon road trip needs a list for my lists… I’m headed north on April 22, 2017. I’ll be driving to Oregon where I’ll spend five weeks roaming and wandering, getting to know the people and places that call my neighboring state home. My solo trip will take me to a writer’s conference in Salem,…