As a teacher, I love to travel in the summers. I have traveled both nationally and internationally since 1988! I wrote a blog post about why I travel HERE. In short, it is a great way to recharge my emotional batteries. As a teacher however, my budget is tight, so I plan carefully to balance great memories and experiences with cost. In 2010, photographer Tim started to join me in these adventures and the books you see here are the result of this creative partnership. If you like to travel too, perhaps one of these guides may be helpful in planning your own adventure. Each begins with our preparations and planning. Tips and tricks, and conclude with a trip diary noting what worked, what did not, and what delightful surprises we discovered along the way.
Tim & Eric's Excellent Adventure - A coast-to-coast road trip and dining guide
This book, available in full COLOR or economy Black & White, is a guide and a diary of our 5000 mile, four week road-trip from California to New Jersey with a focus on seeing the best of America, and eating at some of the most noted restaurants along the way. We have also included information for those that would like to extend their own road trip to include New England sights through Cape Cod, MA. The total cost of the trip was about $10,000 for two people, including all meals, gas, lodging, park fees, light shopping, snacking, and gambling in Las Vegas. This book contains a GPS list of points and an address guide that follows our route and includes area restaurants and what their specialty items are. Click covers to buy on Amazon. |
Pilgrim-Age To Rome: A travel guide for adult children and their aging parents of faith Kindle Edition;
If you have an aging parent and want to gift them a trip to Rome for a faith-based pilgrimage, this book may be a helpful resource. Though we faced concerns over expenses, mobility issues, and travel, our trip was a wonderful success, so much so that I felt that I should write this book and share the experience and advice with others. Many may choose to take pre-packaged tours, I find them to be expensive and rarely meet the needs of those with mobility issues. They rush through sites and have schedules that may be too rigorous for an older parent. I hope the advice I share here will help others considering a similar adventure. This IS NOT a vacation travel guide. Popular sites like The Trevi Fountain or The Spanish Steps are not even mentioned. Though I and my siblings are not particularly "religious" people, my mother is devoutly Catholic. At 80 years old, and with emerging mobility issues, my siblings and I knew this may be our last opportunity to gift my mother an experience like this. This book covers accommodations, pre-planning, accessibility options, restaurant advice, navigating language issues, obtaining tickets, seeing the pope in person, visiting important historical churches, transportation options, and more. The assumption is that the child of a parent would act as a chaperone to ensure their parent has the best possible experience. Click the cover image to see this book on Amazon. |
Japan In Your 40s 50s & 60s: A Travel Guide for the Mature Adventurer Kindle Edition by Eric Gibbons (Author), Tim Lin (Photographer)
This book isn’t your average travel guide—If you’re an “influencer” or looking for your next social media viral moment, DO NOT buy this book. It’s designed specifically for the savvy traveler diving into Japan for the first time. We’re all about soaking up the culture without breaking the bank. Forget shopping sprees; we’re here to create meaningful memories, whether you’re flying solo or with a partner. And let’s face it, at 40 and up, our bodies might not be as sprightly as they used to be, so comfort is important—but that doesn’t mean we’re skimping on adventure! Initially, we toyed with the idea of a cruise, but after digging deeper, we realized it wouldn’t scratch our itch for an authentic Japanese experience. This guide assumes you’re all about maximizing your two weeks with quality, not just ticking boxes. If that sounds like your kind of trip, then you’re in the right place! I’m Eric Gibbons, a blast from the past having lived in Japan back in the late 80s, eager to return. Joining me is Tim, a Chinese American photographer with an understanding of traditional kanji. I can handle hiragana and katakana, and we’ve thrown in some basic language tips for you, though Japan’s got you covered with English signage and nifty translation apps. Pair those with Google Maps, and you’ve got all you need for a stress-free adventure. Click on the book's cover to see the book on Amazon. |
A Beach Bum’s Vacation Guide: Plan An Amazing Trip On A Budget Kindle Edition by Eric Gibbons (Author), Tim Lin (Photographer)
Budgets can be tight and our author has found ways to explore beach locations without breaking the bank. Author Eric Gibbons & photographer Tim Lin have lived in coastal communities all their lives and have traveled to beaches all over the world from Main to Key West, and Seattle to San Diego, Hawaii, The Red, Black, Dead, and Mediterranean Seas, Japan, Greece, Korea, as well as lakes and rivers of all sizes. This book will cover how avid beachgoers like Tim & Eric make it all work in very simple ways so you too can have a great experience wherever you travel. This book excludes information about RV travel and booking expensive resorts, focusing instead on the “do-it-yourself” traveler. Families that travel together will have additional concerns not addressed here but likely part of any travel adventure, beach or not. Water safety is something families should become aware of before traveling to any beach location. Click on the cover to see this e-book on Amazon. |