For much of my life, I have been a highly successful, driven entrepreneur. My first passion was to become a sportswriter (at a time when there were no women sportswriters!) And with my total focus, I was able to land at the Detroit Free Press, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Washington Post and host of Dodger Dugout on TV by the time I was 22.
After that, I launched a 20-year journey owning and managing one of the world’s two largest sports-special events-cable TV public relations agencies with a world-class client list—Toyota, Avon, Seagrams, National Hockey League, Golf Channel, LA Marathon, Showtime, AMC, Ice Capades, Harlem Globetrotters and Top Rank Boxing just to name a select few. Quite an accomplishment when you realize I was the only woman running a sports agency.
And then I segued to doing podcast tours for authors making a difference in the world—and I still continue to do that work. We’ve done 400 and I am happy to say, they have garnered 90 raving testimonials, including from leading personal growth figures. All that is to say, I’ve been in service to other people for more than four decades.
But what few knew was that when I could escape the grind, I would run off and indulge myself in historic travel, photographing amazing cities and places around the world that spoke to a slice of history. I was a closet photographer! All the time thinking, “Someday I will share these fabulous images.” Even my friends despaired of actually seeing the pictures as I’d just immediately jumped back into work.
My other escape, if I couldn’t go, was to read historic novels, mysteries, history books or biographies that took me back in time. So if I couldn’t physically go, I time-traveled through books.
When I hit my 70th birthday, something clicked in. There were far less years ahead than behind. Until then, I’d been telling myself I had plenty of time. But a new reality was hitting me!
The first thing I did was make a list of all the bucket-list cities I wanted to visit and shoot before it would be too challenging to lug a suitcase and a backpack full of cameras across a continent. So, in the summer of 2023, I just took the leap—left my business to my remaining team members—and did a 9-week tour of Europe! Regardless! 20 cities in France, Croatia (Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Kortula island), Austria (Vienna), Hungary (Budapest), Czech Republic (Prague), Switzerland (Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva) and Northern Italy (Milan, Lake Como, Bellagio, Verona, Genoa, Pisa and Lucca).
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It was simply life changing. All the pressure to see these things before it was too late, was off! I had done it and loved every minute! But something else had changed, too.
When I got home, I decided it was time to do what was in my heart. Nothing else was as important. I would say no to anything that didn’t light me up and yes to ONLY what lights me up.
And that turned out to be The Historic Traveler, a blog and membership community devoted to people like me—who love history, travel and historic novels. And here is where I can share my images -- in all their glory! In every blog post (twice weekly) I feature up to 30 amazing images from one particular location that has historical significance—cities, villages, landmarks, churches, libraries, palaces, castles and so much more! I showcase this place with my storytelling skills. But what makes the blog unique is the book recommendations. I draw on my deep bank of knowledge of historic novels, mysteries and history books to provide reading that make you feel as if you lived it! It’s far from your usual, everyday travel blog!
Furthermore, I like nothing more than hunkering down with a bunch of women—and occasionally men—who love to read historic novels and sharing our finds. I also love exploring new places through the eyes of people who have already been there. So I decided to create a community, as well, where like-minded folks could get together and discover more with each other. Futhermore,, since I now write an 80-page magazine on Historic Travel and Historic Reading, I have contacts with many experts and famous historic novelists, so I invite them for group chats! Best of all, I’ve launched a photo gallery as part of the blog (Lapin Gallery) with more the 35 individual collections of images from all over the world, plus things that just offer beauty -- roses, animals, landscapes, coastal panoramas, hot air balloons, fall colors, sunsets, other florals, faces, and, of course, historic places.
What could be better than that!
So, yes, I am still “working” but my podcast tours for clients are fun and easy. It’s another way to share books with seekers of knowledge, answers and inspiration. But my passion is The Historic Traveler. That never feels like work. It’s sheer joy. (Even digitising 35,000 slides that date from before digital cameras and cell phones!)
When I am asked to do something now other than these two, I ask myself, “Does it light me up? Is it worth my time? If I am going to spend the last part of my life investing in something, does it open me up or contract me?” That’s my rule. Would I rather be taking a group of folks to Eqypt, sharing the rich history there—or sitting at my desk doing work that makes me wish I was out exploring the world?
So my gift to you is to say don’t wait as long as I did to give in to your heart! Whatever you’ve been denying yourself, shrinks your soul -- which is always seeking expansion. Your heart calling may be something entirely different than mine, but follow it. Don’t let it slip away!
Fortunately, I am still vital enough to do this pivot joyfully. I just love sharing my pictures, what I have learned about these amazing places and the books that bring history to life. I call myself The Historic-Traveler-in-Chief. It makes me feel ALIVE! So if you love any of these, don’t be a stranger. Come visit me at The Historic Traveler and share your stories—or books! Let’s light up both our hearts—and the world!
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