Customer Reviews

Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales

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Recent poor health had me looking for an escape. When I picked up Linda Ballou's book LOST ANGEL WALKABOUT, I found my salvation. Linda combines her most favorite things to create a book of adventures like nothing I have ever read. She blends her love of travel, and writing, and in several stories her love of horses, and with unsurpassed skill she takes the reader with her to places like Raven's River, Alaska, to windswept Donegal Bay, Ireland, to Waipio Valley in Hawaii, and North Island, New Zealand to name just a few. Linda not only takes you on a journey to exciting places and distant lands she shares herself along the way. Her stories are personal, enlightening, and captivating.
Raven's River is a particularly touching tale because it is a memorial to Matthew Wayne Bell, her nephew. It is a trip that entails a 140-mile journey, on the Tatshenshini, or Raven's River and includes white water rafting and hiking on bear trails. Linda shares her adventure and her love for Matt, as she educates us on the environment. Raven's River is a beautiful story of honor and discovery that is shared with grace and love.
I particularly enjoyed her journey in Golden Horseshoe or Bust. Linda, her 83-year-old mother, and nephew take off on a road trip. Her mother is insistent on driving. It is a typical family argument that adds amusement to this beautiful journey. Linda shares this memory of a courageous woman, with adventure in her soul, with a view in to her own. We learn even more about Linda and her mother in Water Dogs. These personal insights make this book of travel stories more like a novel.
LOST ANGEL WALKABOUT is more than a travel log, it is about Linda, the family she loves, the history of the lands and peoples she visits, and the folks she admires most, including adventure writer Tim Cahill and Horsewoman Lari Shea. I highly recommend this book: whether you are trying to plan your next journey, escape from your own couch, or want to inspire a young trailblazer.

Adventure travel writer Linda Ballou knows how to bring home a great story when she goes on a trip: Get into trouble. For her, the deeper the water, the fouler the weather, the more hazards underfoot and overhead, the better the story will be to tell.

Think about the alternative. You come back from your journey and tell your friends and family that you encountered no flights delays, no bad meals, no lost or stolen personal items, no bed bugs at your hotel, and not a drop of rain fell on your head. How do they respond to this tale of no-woe-at-all? By yawning.
There is no danger that you will nod off reading Ballou's Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales. Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales Instead, you want to yell "No, Linda don't go there!' or "Linda, whatever we're you thinking?", or "Watch out, Linda! Watch out!"

Linda's travels have taken her on a wide path across much of the globe. One of the reason I enjoyed her book such much is that I have actually ventured--albeit as a less adventurous traveler--to several of the places she writes about in Alaska, Arizona, the British Virgin Islands, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, and Wyoming

In "Irish Mist" Ballou is--as often as the case in Lost Angel Walkabout--on horseback. She says "The Irish ride like they drive--with cheerful abandon!" Then she throws caution to the wind in the willows and goes on the equestrian equivalent of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride."

While arm-chair travelers may deem Ballou possessed by a devil-may-care approach to danger on the road, to me her stories express a confident "What's the big deal? I can do this!" attitude that probably comes from growing up in Southeast Alaska where self-sufficiency is an essential trait.

For example, when on a walk in a marshy area frequented by bears near Glacier Bay, Alaska, she found the tide beginning to rise rapidly and herself at risk of spending a cold night far from the comfort of her lodgings. She obviously lived to tell about her escape, so I'm not giving too much away be quoting from the penultimate paragraph of her story, "Bird Walk on the Wild Side," while leaving you, the reader, to enjoy the final, humorous conclusion to it:

"My panic rose at the sight of matted areas of grass where large animals had bedded down the night before. I was over-heating from exertion and lectured myself out loud to stay focused, to mind each step, and to not hurry--twisting an ankle now would spell disaster. Keeping my center of gravity low, knees bent for balance on the boulders, I made a Groucho Marx exit through the marsh to the forest trailhead."

Not all of Ballou's travels involved risk of life and limb; some were emotionally challenging. In "Water Dogs," she recounts a sailing trip in the British Virgin Islands with her mother. It was not their first trip together, and she writes:

"Traveling with Mom is like swimming in embryonic soup. It's as though the cells that once divided and multiplied seek to rejoin themselves. A calm feeling, like being rocked in the lap of creation, fills me when I hold her hand. Our hearts beat in perfect rhythm. I feel grounded in the presence of my eternal witness, the only person who has been waiting for me at the end of all of my twisted adventures."

But this time, it was stress, not calm, that both mother and daughter encountered. Her mother, who had wanted for years to make this trip, became frustrated when neither swim fins nor mask fit properly, thwarting her initial attempts at snorkeling. The story has a happy ending in the water that involves food--hot dogs-- but you will have to buy the book to learn how this humble American wiener saved the day and the trip.

"Lost Angel" in the book's title comes from her place of residence--Los Angeles, the City of Angels, not from Ballou being constantly lost when away from home. And the "Walkabout" part? Well, if I lived in L.A., I'd be wanting to head for remote parts of the world as often as possible to get away from the press of humanity in that city, too.

In this collection of short stories, author Linda Ballou takes the reader on journeys near and far. Escaping the pressures of civilization in her hometown, Los Angeles, Ballou seeks personal growth and enlightenment, testing herself against the elements.

After reading a review copy I came away with an appreciation of the barriers to exploration and discovery that had to be faced by the author, such as fear of heights. Ballou is to be commended for challenging herself so she could experience the exhilaration of mastering new skills, and sharing her successes to inspire others. Many of Ballou's quests take place on guided trips, which reduce the risks and makes it practical for a single woman traveling alone to experience challenges that might not otherwise be possible.

Horses are a special passion of the author, and her writing comes alive as she describes flying over obstacles on Ballymerrigan, a horse she was paired with in Donegal, Ireland, after a rough start. You'll find yourself tense and nervous as they approach four foot fences on the cross-country course, cheering every successful jump.

Disparate stories from around the globe are tied together with a spiritual theme. Early on, Ballou introduces us to her spirit horse, Winddancer, a dream traveler of the Anasazi Indians of the American Southwest. Her spiritual companion encourages her to push beyond her fears. Ballou maintains this spiritual theme, stimulated in Hawaii as she seeks the trail of King Kamehameha I, who united the islands two centuries ago, and again shooting rapids on the Tatshenshini River in Alaska, channeling the spirit of her deceased nephew who was raised there. She uses the awakening of her senses to vividly illustrate the special places on our planet and how they have been revered through the ages.

Several stories are accompanied by short Eco-alerts, where Ballou cites evidence that some of the places she has visited are in danger from various man-made activities. It is her hope that some will be inspired by her experiences to join in the efforts to preserve these exceptional locations for future generations.

Lost Angel Walkabout is a good read that will take you around the world, experiencing it through the escapades of a daring traveler.

Beautifully descriptive passages, inspiring adventures, and reminders of the bounty of nature combine to make Lost Angel Walkabout an intriguing read. Author Linda Ballou's stories of adventure will leave you breathless. In this fascinating collection of trips she's taken far and wide, she not only goes horseback riding on perilous cliff side trails in Ireland, but also learns how to jump fences. On the Green River near Moab, Utah and the Salmon River of Idaho, she starts out on kayak trips that she thinks will be mostly a serene glide. Sometimes it is peaceful and idyllic, other times... "I found myself flying out of my boat and falling into the center of a six-foot hole." As in most of her tales, Ballou emerges from her experience -- in this case being hurtled downstream in the Salmon -- feeling stronger and even more courageous.

Note of disclosure: I received Lost Angel Walkabout as a review copy with the option of reviewing it if I was so inclined. I was happy to be able to give it a 5-star review. I am also a travel writer and share Ballou's love of adventure and the outdoors. She does not travel as a tourist, she travels as an adventurer seeking to immerse herself in the culture and surroundings of her destination.

LOST ANGEL WALKABOUT
By: Linda Ballou
ISBN: 1449971520
ISBN:-13: 9781449971526

This review is based on a review copy provided by Linda Ballou in exchange for review, all reviews being my own opinion without guarantee or assumption of liking or disliking.

Linda Ballou is a travel writer and this is evident in her collection of travel stories, Lost Angel Walkabout. Linda travels as a single woman and encounters a world of cultures from Hawaii to Alaska to the mists of Ireland.
Linda speaks candidly of her fears, her frustrations, and her triumphs. Her gift of descriptive language takes her readers on journeys to far off places while sitting comfortably in the comfort of their own homes. Linda has taken these adventures for us, her readers.

As I read the stories, I was particularly taken by Linda's commitment to the ecology of our planet. She informs her audience with tidbits of "eco-alerts," wherein she gives information about ecological problems we are facing.

I found Linda's collection of thirty stories to be entertaining and informative. She has a knack for drawing the reader into her adventure, so I felt like I rode next to her as she attempted to jump her horse in Ireland and struggled with her up a mountainside in New Zealand. She has an affinity with nature and strives to leave no footprint as she travels. She doesn't stay in five star hotels or fancy resorts. She sleeps in tents, bed and breakfasts, and small out of the way home situations. She enjoys the local food as well as the local scenery. She doesn't shy away from trying to drive a car on the wrong side of the street or ride a horse into a snow story. She embraces life and the adventures it holds. All this is evident in her writing and her presentation.

I enjoyed reading Linda's stories and hope, if you are an "armchair traveler," you will as well.

This is a spirited collection of travel narratives, a beautifully written collection of personal experiences of Linda's many travels in different continents and environs.

It is easy to see why Ballou is a well-known adventure travel writer, each of the stories takes you to a special place and allows you to share the sensual experience of being there without straining a muscle, getting altitude sickness or losing control of your horse.

Her use of words is commanding and her descriptions so vivid you will feel you have traveled alongside her and seen all the beauty of the surroundings which she so deeply appreciates. Here's an example, from the chapter titled, "Stepping Outside of the Big Box," which describes a February trip to Arizona's Sonoran Desert:

"...A warming lunch and a snooze later, the sun was shining. I headed up the canyon to walk along a path tracing a chatty creek full of itself from the recent rains. Fast-moving clouds morphed from threatening gray to billowing white in a cobalt sky. The granite spires of the Baboquivari Range were now cloaked in a dazzling cape of fresh snow. I rock-hopped the bulging creek lined with gray willow, sycamore and cottonwood trees bereft of leaves... What is often described as a "vast wasteland" by those hurtling through the desert at 75-miles per hour in hermetically sealed automobiles, is, upon closer inspection, an on-going act of cooperation between plants, animals, and sometimes humans to survive."


Ballou's tales of her intrepid soul's search for beauty in the wilds and her ability to physically handle the demands of her settings will thrill you. (Not to mention that they may possibly incite you to become fit enough to actually see yourself doing some of the things she is daring and athletic enough to do.)

Some of her tales, like "Falling in the Footsteps of John Muir," about an accident she experienced four days into a horse-pack trip into the High Sierras, and "Look Both Ways on Small Islands," which details her interrogation by French gendarmes while visiting a Club Med in Tahiti, will make you glad you're just reading of her painful experiences - not actually living them.

But don't despair. She not only lived to tell these tales, she actually manages to make them somewhat funny. Besides, MOST of the stories are upbeat and inspiring, while those that contain her "Eco-Alerts" are also informative.

You'll enjoy this book and come away wanting to read it again!

Lost Angel Walkabout by Linda Ballou is one of the most beautifully written travel books I have ever read. Linda tells her personal experiences of her many travels in different continents and environs. She is well-known as a top adventure travel writer, and her tales of her intrepid soul's search for beauty in the wilds and her ability to rouse physically to any demands of the setting will thrill the reader. She increased my desire to become more physically fit so that I could do some of the things she is daring and fit enough to do. She grew up in Alaska and has always loved horses. Her travel tales about returning to that wonderful environ and her experiences in many different places which involved riding horses are so beautifully inspiring. Linda also leads walkabouts in Los Angeles. I highly recommend her book as a treasure you will want to read, and then to re-read aloud to anyone who might want to listen. Her use of words is very commanding and her descriptions so vivid you will feel you have traveled alongside her and seen all the beauty of the surroundings which she so deeply appreciates. This is a MUST READ!

Bonnie Neely-Editor [...]

With each story I read in Linda Ballou's book, Lost Angel Walkabout, I thought, "This is the best story in the book." Then, I would turn the page and find that the next adventure was even more interesting.

I love the way the author weaves accurate and little known native history into each story. This information isn't what your typical tour guide might spout from a memorized script. This book and its information comes from roughing it in the wilderness in some very remote sites where most of us would not go with a group much less alone, which is Linda's favorite way to travel. The aloneness is rejuvenating for her as she listens to nature and the spirits that dwell in each mesmerizing place speak to her. As for aloneness, Linda says, "Much is said of the virtues of connecting with local cultures, but in aloneness you can connect with the forces that shaped them." I agree with her profound wisdom!

Not all of the trips were taken alone, however. I was especially touched by the story titled "Water Dogs" because of the tender way Linda showed grace and understanding to her 75-year-old mother who was along on a snorkeling trip. Linda was so creative in bringing the fish to her mom since Mom couldn't dive under and hold her breath long enough to see them near the cave entrance below the water. But this story is also a favorite because of the humorous way Ballou depicts the cast of characters. In fact, her sense of humor in telling the story not only made me feel like I was on location with her, it gave me a sense of her lively personality.

What I didn't expect, but found pleasantly refreshing was the spiritual aspect Linda brought into each tale. Her trips are inspired by her spirit guides, of whom she says, "Guides are simply that--guides. They try to direct you on an ever-changing path to soul-stirring moments, but the responsibility for the journey is ultimately yours."

So, I guess that's why Linda doesn't blame her guides for forgetting to take her silk underwear with her on the trip to Dorothy Lake. She nearly froze to death when the zipper of her sleeping bag broke and exposed her backside to the elements. What's an adventure without risk, right? And a little aroma from being wrapped in damp horse blankets to survive that night.

Tim Cahill's interview was a very special treat and served as an interlude to gear up the reader for more action and adventure in the second half of the book. Having taken the time to chat with one of her favorite travel writers shows that this author has credibility in both the writing and traveling world.

Another thing that makes this book intriguing and sets it apart from other travel/adventure books is the ecology alert at the end of many chapters. It's sad to know that many of the places Linda recounts in her stories are no longer the quaint, rural, peaceful spiritual nests they were at the time of her visit. They have been ruined by greedy deforestation, over-fishing, and toxic waste. This was an unexpected call to action in our effort to care for the beauty of our Mother Earth.

Throughout the book, the author's storytelling style is a great blend of travel journalism and real life experiences and spiritual insight that entertain and inform. Highly recommended reading.

First, I must applaud the author for being able to write BOTH non fiction and fiction and write both well. That's not an easy task. Having read and enjoyed her novel Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i - Her Epic Journey, I was interested but a bit weary of reading her travel memoirs. From my personal experience, it's rare that an author can pull off both fiction and non fiction.

I won't say it's a perfect book. At times it grew more educational that entertaining and my mind started drifting. However, some of the stories made me laugh so hard, my dog jumped off of my lap and gave me a dirty look. I must give credit where it is due... Every story, be it about the author driving on the wrong side of the road, having loose ribs and being transported by helicopter, being accused of being a drug mule, horse jumping in Ireland, or getting stuck on a sailboat in a nasty Hawaiian storm, taught me some tidbit of information I didn't know before. Heh, I wish I had read this BEFORE my trip to Alaska.. If I had known there was a million dollars undiscovered in Skagway.... (sigh).

My peronal favorite story: Water Dogs. I'm not going to say why. I will just say it has nothing whatsover to do with dogs, not the four legged kind, but the story really touched me.

My laugh out loud moment: The New Zealand fart tax!!! Priceless piece of information I will never forget.

Lost Angel Walkabout by Linda Ballou is one of the most beautifully written travel books I have ever read. Linda tells her personal experiences of her many travels in different continents and environs. She is well-known as a top adventure travel writer, and her tales of her intrepid soul's search for beauty in the wilds and her ability to rouse physically to any demands of the setting will thrill the reader. She increased my desire to become more physically fit so that I could do some of the things she is daring and fit enough to do. She grew up in Alaska and has always loved horses. Her travel tales about returning to that wonderful environ and her experiences in many different places which involved riding horses are so beautifully inspiring. Linda also leads walkabouts in Los Angeles. I highly recommend her book as a treasure you will want to read, and then to re-read aloud to anyone who might want to listen. Her use of words is very commanding and her descriptions so vivid you will feel you have traveled alongside her and seen all the beauty of the surroundings which she so deeply appreciates. This is a MUST READ!