Happy Anniversary Juliet – Four Years on the Path

April 30, 2013 by
The Blissful Adventurer - Anniversary

An Infinite Path (Photo by Loren J Root)

I like tradition. I like it when it evolves from something so simple and becomes its own existence. Writing to you Juliet on significant dates has become my cherished tradition. In this act of sharing with the world my unceasing love for you I find keys to understanding my own existence. I discover new elements of you and me that were not there only an occasion before now. What is this four years together? What is the significance of the constructs we hold closely as if they are inalienable? Why do I sound like the narrator from a Terence Malick film when I wax philosophical? I am not sure I can answer any of these questions, so I will share some insight into us and let the world decide who we are. [Read more...]

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Twenty Five 25 Word Travel Essays

April 23, 2013 by
Travel Photos - The Blissful Adventurer

Maroon Bells, CO

Twenty Five 25 Word Travel Essays is a quick link to the very cool-

TRAVELING ALONE: 25 Very Very Short Stories  (click this link to read)

I am # 25 and I encourage you to read them all before you get to mine. Also, please subscribe to the wonderful Your Life is a Trip experiential travel blog. I am a regular contributor.

Cheers,

Michael

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Italy Images – iPhone 5 Editing Tutorial

April 22, 2013 by
The Blissful Adventurer - Italy

A Solitary Vineyard Near Marsala

Italy Images – iPhone 5 Editing Tutorial is a sampling of my recent work editing standard DSLR images using only my iPhone 5. I am very excited about the quality and style of these photos and I want to share with you today some details on how and why I edit as I do. [Read more...]

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Italy Rules – Expanded

April 17, 2013 by
The Blissful Adventurer - Michael Housewright

Spaghetti with Clams – Le Marche

What a wonderful and sometimes intense set of responses from my previous post – The Italy Rules. I want to take a little time today to expand and expound on some of my thoughts and provide further insight into traveling in Italy.

1. Italy Guides – Here is my short list of who I would travel with and why in Italy.

  • The Rome Digest - This new and wonderful consortium of talented Rome guides includes my dear friend Katie Parla, who is my champion of all things Roman (pork, gelato, beer, wine, art, history, and life) If you are going to spend time in Rome, and you should, let the Rome digest draw a map for you
  • Venice – Row Venice Nan McIlroy is one of the most knowledgeable people in Italy regarding living life, eating well, and getting out on the water. Don’t pay 200 euro for a snooze on a gondola. Pay less and get out there and learn to do it yourself. Easily one of the greatest experiences I have ever had in Italy
  • Tuscany – Judy Francini will cook with you and teach you what it means to truly experience life in Tuscany. Reach out to her. She has been cooking successfully for her Italian husband for years. She will teach you how to impress anyone.
  • Puglia – this is a bit biased but I can vouch for the unbeatable quality of Southern Visions Travel. Antonello Losito leads this superior company leading the most authentic excursions into Italy’s tastiest region. From 1 day to 1 month, these guys are amazing
  • Le Marche – Mariano Pallottini - the best guides are sometimes not guides. For this truly under-the-radar region no one can show visitors the ropes like Mariano. Please tell him I sent you.
  • Travel for Teens - If you would like to send your son or daughter on one of the most amazing experiences to be had. I strongly suggest using Travel for Teens. Managed and operated by a group of passionate, intelligent, and experienced men and women, TFT is the leader in volunteer and cultural travel in Italy for students. Ask for Ned or Nick and your young adult will be blown away
  • For other Italian regions I have friends of friends and would be happy to do some research for you [Read more...]

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The Italy Rules

April 15, 2013 by
Sicily - The Blissful Adventurer

Cathedral – Mazzara del Valo

The Italy Rules are my set of guidelines for the first-time and infrequent Italy traveler. I have traveled to, lived, and worked in Italy frequently over the past 20 years. In this time I evolved from a curious tourist to hardened, salty veteran of the trials, travails, and pitfalls of one of the world’s most visited countries. One usually dreams of Italy for years before finally setting their foot into the proverbial boot. The dream usually crashes in much less time. This post is really for the traveler who has not been deep into the Amazon or climbed to base camps in Nepal. This post is for those of you who enjoy modern conveniences, large bathrooms, and the amenities of a comfortable Western life. For the most part, I am you. I love my big bed, my central heat and air, and my very fast wi-fi connection. However, Italy is reason enough for me forego these luxuries for a few weeks or months out of every year. [Read more...]

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Lost Images of Turin, Italy

April 8, 2013 by
The Blissful Adventurer - Turin

View from the Church Steps – Turin.

Lost Images of Turin, Italy

I made my first trip to Turin, Italy in August of 2010. I was simply blown away by the architectural influence of the French Savoy family. However, like most of Italy in August, the city was practically deserted. The empty streets along with the general resignation on the faces of the locals, during this holiday month, gave one of Europe’s richest cities an eerie and sickly feel.

The Blissful Adventurer - Torino, Italy

A haunting bridge over the Po.

I love the ghostly light emanating from the center tunnel in this image. This one ray of sunshine seemed to encapsulate the spirit of this very challenging summer in Italy. [Read more...]

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Life Not Always a Beach in San Francisco

April 4, 2013 by
The Blissful Adventurer - San Francisco

Some Days Life is Not a Leisurely Stroll

The San Francisco bay area is considered to be one of the most dynamic, fascinating, and beautiful places to live on the planet. 99 days out of 100 I agree wholeheartedly, and enjoy my walks, drives, thoughts, meals, and discoveries. The one day out of 100 that goes south, usually goes straight to hell. [Read more...]

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Point Reyes Images #2

February 28, 2013 by
The Blissful Adventurer - Point Reyes Images

Ripples and Reflections

Point Reyes Images is a series of shots from my recent exploration of one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the Pacific coast of California. Today’s image is McClure’s Beach just below Tomales Point (yesterday’s image). I have a fondness for the patterns in the sand made by the surf and tides. This lovely dusk reflection of the sandy promontory in the background adds a lovely yin to the yang of ripples in the foreground, The surf in the distance seems so inviting but is alas quite chilly and inhospitable. [Read more...]

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Point Reyes Images #1

February 27, 2013 by

 

The Blissful Adventurer - Point Reyes Images

Tomales Point above the Pacific

Point Reyes Images is a series of shots from my recent exploration of one of the most remote and beautiful parts of the Pacific coast of California. The allure of Point Reyes comes from its isolation, gorgeous waters, access to roadside oysters, and surprising to me, its wildlife. [Read more...]

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Palo Alto Trees

February 21, 2013 by
The Blissful Adventurer - Palo Alto Trees

The stark beauty of a bare oak

Palo Alto Trees is a selection of images from my recent hike up to The Dish in Palo Alto, California. Although I have lived here for nearly six months this was my first walk up to the iconic dish overlooking Stanford University. In this first image I love the curvature of the background suggesting this is a particularly special tree rising alone on the top of the world. [Read more...]

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