Proposal for JoAnna Haugen
Registered on : 2009-05-05
28 year old Female
I am in Las Vegas.
Where in North America I would like to travel this summer and why.
The route I imagine taking.
What I would like to write about and photograph.
As I was growing up, everyone in my family would take a few weeks off of work, pile into my uncle’s overpacked van and head out to one of the National Parks, where we would set up a small town of tents then spend our time camping, hiking, exploring—and driving each other crazy. Nearly 15 years later, here I am, in an 8-to-5 job with two weeks of vacation a year. How did I get here? I would much rather be tying up my hiking boots, eating a picnic lunch beneath a natural bridge, marveling at the explorations of early days and appreciating the beauty of Mother Nature in her true form.
My dad bought me a National Parks Passport when I was young, and while I still add stamps on an occasional basis, there are way too many empty pages. I would like to take a road trip through the western United States filling my passport with stamps and visiting some of the country’s most famous National Parks, such as Yosemite and Yellowstone, as well as some of the lesser-known and out-of-the-way parks and monuments, like Walnut Canyon in Arizona. In the process, I also want to take the time to explore some of the trails protected by the National Park Service, including the Oregon Trail and the Pony Express.
My trip begins with an exploration of Arizona, and while I love the Grand Canyon, I’m going to bypass it in favor of some of the state’s other beauties. High on my list are the Canyon De Chelly, Petrified Forest, Organ Pipe Cactus and Saguaro National Park—home of the icon of the American West, the gigantic cacti. Then I’ll spend three weeks to a month working my way north through California, with stops in Joshua Tree, Mojave, Sequoia, King’s Canyon and Yosemite, one of America’s true national icons and where I plan on spending the Fourth of July. San Francisco holds a wealth of National Monuments that I would love to visit, including the Golden Gate, Muir Woods and Alcatraz. From there I head north again through Redwood National Park and into Oregon, where I’ll spend time hiking Crater Lake before heading east. In Idaho I’d like to climb a volcano at Craters of the Moon National Monument. And in Wyoming, I’ll be sure to spend at least a few days in another one of America’s most famous parks, Yellowstone, but I also want to give some attention to Grand Teton as well. In Colorado, I’d like to see Mesa Verde and the Great Sand Dunes, and, if I have some spare time, spend a few days hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, where some of my fondest childhood camping memories were created (but before I got into getting off the beaten path). I’ve driven through Utah before, but have a growing desire to explore its natural attractions. I want to spend nearly two weeks in the state, with stops in Arches, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. If time permits, I would also like to spend two days in Zion, hiking the Narrows from top to bottom with my dad. And after relaxing in the beauty of southern Utah, I plan to drive north. I’ll stop to visit the Golden Spike, which commemorates the nation’s first transcontinental railroad, a huge accomplishment in America’s history—and the final National Park stop on my road trip and the final stamp in my National Parks Passport, a huge accomplishment in my own history—before heading west to Burning Man.
My goal is not to race through as many parks as possible, but to take the time to appreciate and explore those that I choose to visit. If I am unable to reach some of my desired destinations on my road trip, so be it. My writing and photographs will tell the story of a girl on a quest to reacquaint herself with the beauty of a country we often forget and bypass as we race from one meeting to another. I will hike and camp (except for the occasional stop in a historic park lodge for a shower), and note the details—the smell of the campfire, the hues of the rising sun, the gritty feel of dirt between my toes—hidden in the natural foundation of the American West.
Why I want to travel and what I think I will accomplish.
I travel to get away from it all. Especially now, when money is tight and spending time with family takes on new meaning, I want to remind people how much there is to explore in their own backyards and how important simple pleasures like bird watching really are. Travel is about exploring new places, but it is also about figuring out what is important on an individual level. It makes me realize how much bigger the world is than me, and it helps put my problems—and the world’s issues—into a logical perspective. I hope that through my writing and photographs as I take my road trip, I can also inspire others to step back, relax, breathe and appreciate the natural details that surround us.
On a personal level, this road trip requires that I give up a steady income and 401k plan, which is scary. But if I don’t take advantage of this opportunity now, will I ever do it? It’s easy to say that I’ll break out of my comfort zone next summer or when I have more money or when the economy is better, but I need to jump at this chance now. My application for the Digital Vagabonding Roads Scholarship is a my acceptance of giving up “the safe” in exchange for “the unknown.” Additionally, I would be very proud to accomplish this road trip on my own accord. I usually travel with others, and while I hope a friend or family member will pop up for certain legs of my journey, being able to travel for three continuous months on my own would be a huge achievement for me.
My background, interests, talents and aspirations.
I am a globe trotter, devoted recycler, idea inventor and creativity connoisseur who grew up in the Midwest and currently lives in Las Vegas. I have been a writer for as long as I can remember (my trunk of journals tell me I’ve been going since at least the third grade) and have worked professionally as a copywriter and web content specialist while my evening hours are filled with freelance writing on topics ranging from the arts, cultural events, dance and community service to travel narratives and how-to pieces. I am also an avid traveler. I served as a public health Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and have rafted the Nile, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef and hiked the Inca Trail, but I have so many more places to visit and journeys to experience. One of my life goals is to touch all seven continents. My ultimate goal in life is to work for myself as a writer so that I have the time to explore all the amazing places on my bucket list.
Beyond writing and traveling, I enjoy long-distance running, making up jokes, spending time with my husband and our adopted cats and dogs, reading the classics (because I should) and meeting open-minded, interesting people.
As for my talents, I suppose it is unusual that I speak some Swahili and can flip my tongue upside down, though I can’t do both at the same time.
Some of my writing and photography.
You can see samples of my published work and my blog postings at www.joannahaugen.com, though if you’d like to jump right to some of my travel articles, feel free to view them here:
- Solo Travel: The Pros and Cons – BootsnAll - http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-04/solo-travel-pros-and-cons.html
- Travel: Jeju Island, Korea – Donne Travels - http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/donne-travels-washington-times/2009/Feb/19/travel-jeju-island-korea/
- Redefining Kenya – Vagabondish.com - http://www.vagabondish.com/redefining-kenya/
Below are samples of photos I recently took in Peru:
I've known JoAnna since 1999 when we met in college. She has always talked about how much she loves to get out and travel. The different experiences she writes about and stories she tells has always keept me on the edge of my seat. I'm amazed on how well she can paint the picture of what she has experienced. I know she would be a phenomenal addition to the Digital Vagabonding crew. I promise if she was accepted to post a travelogue none of your readers would be disappointed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cathe Jones says: May 06 2009 01:10:52 PM
I've read many of JoAnna's journey tales and I love this proposal for the same reason as I read her stories- it brings me right to where she is when she sees the world. She makes it exciting to travel- even via an armchair. I know she'd be the best representative of this prize and is always inspiring when she travels. She is a mindful wanderer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Erica says: May 07 2009 09:32:09 AM
JoAnna's a great writer! She's empathetic, curious, with a real "voice." Please help her hit the road!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rebecca Stinson says: May 07 2009 09:39:52 AM
Being JoAnna's younger sister and travel companion for who knows how many of our childhood adventures, I know she is passionate about, and captivated by, the beauty of the natural world. Even though I haven't been with her in her most recent travels, keeping up with them through her blog, letters, photos and phone calls brings them to life for me too. She unequivocally deserves this opportunity, and would use it to the fullest.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jacquie Kubin says: May 07 2009 10:14:59 AM
To follow this young women's adventure, to live vicariously through her journey. To explore this countries many natural wonders which I am sure far too few actually experience. To share a world that I could, and will, someday also visit is a gift to us all. JoAnna deserves this opportunity; she has done such good in her traveling, working with the Peace Corps, seeking to share not just the I went, but the I saw, I changed, I learned. Send JoAnna on her journey so that I can go along!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rae Cooper says: May 07 2009 10:36:24 AM
I like everything I see and hear about this young lady. She is combining dedicated energy and creativity in a most positive way. Good luck JoAnna and I look forward to hearing more about your future adventures Rae Cooper
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Debbie Robins says: May 07 2009 10:51:54 AM
As a best selling author about peace and a business consultant with a focus on social responsibility, I get to meet a lot of people who say they want to make a positive impact on this world. Joanna is in the category of total authenticity - she literally walks her talk. She is committed, she is learning and she is using her knowledge to educate others. That's what our world needs more of. She is ready to receive this opportunity and I know it is meant to be hers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Terre Jenkins says: May 07 2009 10:45:00 AM
Lets hear it for road trips and kindered spirits! Our world is so vast with so many adventures and stories awaiting us. Proust said, "the only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes" , yet there are those of us who can't resist throwing onthe backpack to see for ourselves what is over the horizon. Thankfully, JoAnna, being one of those people, as well as a gifted writer and photographer, allows others to dust off their eyes and see the world with fresh insight. Lets send this girl packing- again- and again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Suzanne Gerety says: May 07 2009 11:33:50 AM
JoAnna embodies the perfect balance of someone who embraces technology and what it makes available while at the same time staying true to her passions of travel, writing, and photography. She'll definitely make the most out of this experience and you'll be glad you chose her!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cory Haugen says: May 07 2009 11:42:02 AM
JoAnna and I have been together for close to 10 years now and knowing her has made me a better person. I desperately want her to go on this trip and experience all it has to offer her as a writer and a person. We're finally in a place where she can set off on an adventure like this and feel comfortable doing it. I couldn't be more excited for her and the opportunity this trip provides.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Leah Ntuala says: May 07 2009 11:57:02 AM
JoAnna approaches life with a passion unknown to most. She sees the world through many different lens and she is able to articulate her thoughts beautifully both in word and photo. JoAnna is the perfect person for a journey across North America because the knowledge she gains, the beauty she sees and the stories she is apart of will be shared with many others who will than excitedly get their own State Park Passport Book and attempt to follow in her footsteps.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rachel Ruttan says: May 07 2009 12:22:49 PM
It has been an honor getting to know JoAnna over the past year. Her enthusiasm for life and seeing the world makes me want to be a better person and get out there and live! I am in awe of the places she has traveled to and would love her to continue on her journey around the world.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Leilani Johnson says: May 07 2009 01:27:50 PM
If only I had JoAnna's flair for words and determination for travel! While an avid traveler myself, I am constantly awed by those that are able to depict their thoughts and experiences all the while courting wit, humor and dignity throughout their writings. JoAnna seemingly writes with ease, allowing the reader to engross her/himself into her experiences. From publications in our Returned Peace Corps magazine to pictures posted of her travels to hand-written letters filled with love, I'll always be looking forward to the next JoAnna Haugen, limited edition, piece of work.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jerrilyn K. Spiegl says: May 07 2009 01:48:01 PM
May we enjoy her travels through her pictures and words.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Leland Hix says: May 07 2009 02:11:36 PM
While I may be somewhat responsible for introducing JoAnna to the National Park system and traveling, it has become her continuing and heartfelt desire to share travel experiences with others. There have been numerous people comment positively about her ability to craft an experience, location or mood through words. And she has often told of her desire to spend more time traveling and sharing with others. I'm sure her selection would be both fullfilling for her and will give those who will give those who read about her travels a better appreciation for our National Parks and the western US.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bethany Hanson says: May 07 2009 03:10:07 AM
I met JoAnna in Peru. She is kind and open-hearted. She would be the American West's perfect ambassador. She would showcase the beauty of our country by weaving interesting, informative, funny and heart-warming tales and showing us all what we are missing by staying in our comfort zones.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Linda Mensinga says: May 07 2009 03:19:10 AM
Good luck and your goal is wonderful. I hope that you can contribute something besides writing and photos to the various environments you'll be seeing. Anyway that's what I want to do. Someday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Matthew C. Miller says: May 07 2009 03:19:11 AM
Through travel, writing, and photography, JoAnna would be both a representative of us to the world and a representative of those places she travels to us. I cannot think of a person more dedicated, sincere, and able to achieve all that she wants to accomplish. And so I also cannot think of anyone more deserving to be given this opportunity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ivy Lau says: May 07 2009 04:05:27 AM
JoAnna sounds like she would be a great ambassador. Her stories are all about being with the environment and showing the world that we need to appreciate the beauty of nature while we can. JoAnna is a very deserving candidate for the scholarship.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Karline Koehler says: May 07 2009 08:47:00 AM
JoAnna is the real deal. She wrote for the local arts and culture magazine I used to edit ... and is absolutely the cream of the crop. She would be a wonderful pick for this "Roads Scholarship" and I know she'll do an impressive job of sharing her stories with others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Melissa Walker says: May 07 2009 09:55:47 AM
Jo's the perfect candidate. Sure she can describe the natural wonders of the world - but who better to share a 'campfire' story full of odd "Hix-isms" and real life experiences. Two thumbs way up!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jill Hix says: May 07 2009 10:33:44 AM
As her mother, I know the opportunity for JoAnna to focus solely on her travel writing, uninterrupted, would be a dream come true. For as long as I can remember she has been interested in traveling. Even as a young child she would sit patiently, turning the pages of large coffee-table travel books and study the pictures. Fortunately for all of us, she is able to convey through her writing not only the physical reality of a place, but also the essence of the experience of "being there". No one deserves this opportunity more than she does.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gregg Lipkin says: May 07 2009 12:38:49 PM
I am prone to fits of wanderlust and indecision, a horrible dual illness that leaves me suffering from a need to go somewhere new while also suffering from an inability to decide where it is that I should go. Why do I think that JoAnna is ideally suited for such an enriching opportunity? JoAnna is the cure for people like me. Whenever I talk to her about one of the trips she's taken or read one of the pieces she's composed, I suddenly know exactly where it is I want to go. JoAnna's writing doesn't make me feel as though I'm on the trip with her; it's better than that. Her pieces make me wish I was on the trip with her. They prompt me to do internet searches, and make travel plans. They encourage me to go, experience, record and create some travel stories of my own.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Matt Harbourt says: May 07 2009 01:29:15 PM
I met JoAnna in Peru during an adventurous trip though the Inca Trail. She is not only sweet and personable, but a very educated traveler at that. I was so impressed at how she was able to take it all in and live every traveling moment to its fullest, and then at night, grab all those impressionable moments from the day and put it together in the most compelling and honest way. JoAnne is a great writer, photographer and traveling companion. She is the ideal candidate for this next adventure in her life and will be a valuable asset to your team.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gabrielle Winter says: May 08 2009 09:54:50 AM
JoAnna's plan to travel to many of the National Parks in the western US is something I have always wanted to do. The same constraints of job and responsibilities have always stopped me. By taking this adventure, she can share with us her dream adventure and make it real for all of us. Let's all go with JoAnna on her trip by granting her this opportunity!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ren Stinson says: May 08 2009 11:02:38 AM
I would love to see this trip through JoAnna's words and photographs! There is so much beauty in the Western United States that often goes unnoticed by many including myself. I'm excited for her to take the lead so that I can later visit some of the amazing locations that she has explored.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Teresa Watts says: May 08 2009 11:01:54 AM
Joanna is a travel bird at heart. Her writings and photographs are inspiring and insightful. A perfect choice for a Road Trip of the great West.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Christa Dutter says: May 08 2009 03:12:32 AM
JoAnna is a natural explorer! This is a great opportunity for her and for Digiatal Vagabonding. Her nature and expertise as a writer will keep me following her adventures for years to come! Good luck and they will be lucky to have you on their team!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Joseph Szadkowski says: May 08 2009 08:32:43 AM
JoAnna has great skills as a writer, photographer and traveler. She will surely provide your readers wonderful coverage of our natural parks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bethany Doddridge says: May 09 2009 10:06:50 AM
I met JoAnna in the Peace Corps and we shared many problems there that never got her down. She was sweet and kind in halping me through mine and is outgoing and personable. Her writing is amazsing and you feel apart of her travels, that I can't wait to read and hear about more. I also love the National Parks and think its great she is going to try seeing them all and take us all along for the ride!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Laura Ritzenthaler says: May 09 2009 06:49:57 AM
JoAnna has the verbal skills and knowledge to describe things with such interesting details...it will be exciting to hear and see what she sees on this road trip. I too love to travel and hear of outdoor adventures, expecially in our great land of America.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Matías Colaneri says: May 10 2009 06:25:01 AM
I met Joanna during my trip to Macchu Picchu. After walking several hours we were exhausted, eager to rest, but Joanna had the temple to take notes about the wonderful places she had seen... I would like to read more about her adventures!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Michael Langford says: May 12 2009 12:29:58 PM
I met JoAnna in college, and though I never got to know here closely, I got to know her well enough to know that she is passionate about everything she pursues. For me the outdoors, national parks, and such are something that I appreciate are there and yet do not hold much interest to me. However, just reading this proposal makes me want to read what Jo has to write about them; to see them through the eyes of someone who does car deeply about them and conveys that so readily. As far as I'm concerned that is a true testament to a great writer, one who would be an incredible asset for drawing readers to this site. Her words and pictures could inspire people who might otherwise never see these places to break out of their own comfort zone and experience things they otherwise might never have. Jo deserves this opportunity, and I hope the folks choosing the winners can see that too.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Shelley B says: May 12 2009 05:12:47 AM
I would love to follow JoAnna on a trip through the western US! As a seasoned traveler, JoAnna has a knack for getting off the beaten path and finding that special something about a place that may not be well-known or obvious to others. As a talented writer, she has the ability to share that experience in an accessible and vivid way. JoAnna is incredibly dedicated and focused in everything she does, so I'm confident she would produce a captivating and informative travelogue. Let's get her on the road!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Melissa Latrell says: May 12 2009 10:48:01 AM
Since the first time I read an article by Joanna about life in Africa, I've wanted to read more! Reading about Joanna's stints worldwide gives me a glimpse of a world I'd otherwise never see and reminds me of the dreams we've all had to conquer the world through travel. Although it's unrealistic to think I'll see the globe with my own eyes, I relish the thought of seeing it through Joanna's. Having the courage to give up the security of a full time job to see more of a planet most people don't care about show's Joanna's determination and conscientiousness. Who wouldn't want to live vicariously through her?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lawrence says: May 11 2009 09:27:48 AM
JoAnna is a fabulous writer, and would be the best choice for bringing our National Parks to life with her words!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kimberley Trueman says: May 11 2009 11:43:30 AM
I just met JoAnna this year and instantly knew that she was a great person. She has this "thing" about her that captivates you when she speaks, and when I read her work it was exactly the same. I couldn't stop reading it. This is such a fabulous opportunity and I could not think of anyone else better suited for it!!! I am in awe of the amazing things that she has discovered and the path that she has yet to discover!! Good Luck to you Jo!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Claire Phelps says: May 11 2009 12:25:22 PM
I've known Joanna for almost 7 years and all of these comments combined can't do her justice. She is beyond amazing. Her drive and passion make her one of a kind. Not to mention her positive attitude. Reading her words makes things come to life and it's always a pleasure to experience that. To sum it up, she's pretty much a rock star.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Justin Brooks says: May 11 2009 12:38:08 PM
I too enjoy JoAnna's blog postings and travel memoirs; they are so vivid and feel like a mini-vacation of my own. After reading them, I feel refreshed and motivated to further explore the many wonders of our great planet. As a borderline workaholic with over 10 weeks vacation piled up and a fresh 3 weeks added each year, I would love to read of JoAnna's adventures, it would make me feel like less of an addict.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jaclynn Rasnick says: May 11 2009 09:51:17 AM
I have known JoAnna for nearly two years, and, I must be honest, I am completely jealous of the life experiences she has had. I must live vicariously through JoAnna. Luckily, her vivid descriptions bring her adventures to life and enable the reader to feel like they are right there with Jo. JoAnna would do a phenomenal job traveling the National Parks and bringing them to life for those who of us who might never get that opportunity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Amanda L. Swan says: May 11 2009 10:01:58 AM
I only met JoAnna once but our brief meeting proved to me she is one who walks her walk and talks her talk. She is quite an amazing person. As an editor, I find it rare to read something which encapsulates the spirit of an event or place. JoAnna has a great gift for this. For someone to even think of giving up a stable job with a 401k in this economy proves to me she has the courage, conviction and passion to fully chase her dreams.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lance Speirs says: May 12 2009 12:33:44 PM
The day I was first introduced Jo all most 10 years ago I knew that she was driven and a fighter. She has a great passion and love for our environment, the earth, and all the people that walk it. I have all ways been impressed and in awe in her uniquely positive outlook on life and the way that she seems to infect everyone around her with it. These are just a few reasons why I think her writing is so engrossing and moving. I would love for Jo to have this great opportunity so that she can do what she loves to do. I know that she would take what some people would think of as a small gift and turn it into a great part of her interesting life story. I recommend her to you with all my heart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brian Ngugi says: May 13 2009 05:44:10 AM
An amazing, rare, storyteller, of my time! This perhaps, best sums up Jo's remarkable ability to convey with great depth and success, the world, any world, to her lucky readers. In quick retrospect however, it is a depressing understatement of her wondrous and unworldly way, with the world and words. I just can't bring myself to imagining, sampling North America through her eyes. It's just so much for me. It's so much, just thinking it, overwhelms me...already!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Peter J. Stankiewicz says: May 13 2009 08:49:42 AM
I haven’t known JoJo for very long but I believe that what I read somewhere 25+ years ago pretty much sums up her ability. With apologies to the author - “What can my tongue say, that matches what my eyes see: can the beauty of a bird be told by the colors of the feathers or the glory of a star by the counting of it rays?” JoAnna can indeed make her pen match what she sees and experiences. Get her from behind the desk and on the adventure of a lifetime … so far.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jack Bulavsky says: May 14 2009 11:51:17 AM
If JoAnna wasn't applying for this scholarship, you would actively seek her out to represent Digital Vagabonding. She is a solid writer who I recommended to one of my editors, knows her way around peaks and valleys, and is a strong minded individual who will begin and finish this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with flair and enthusiasm. What you want is someone who can bring your readers along for a ride that is as exciting as the one taking it. You want JoAnna. She will know how to drive this scholarship.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Elizabeth Schneider says: May 14 2009 06:58:59 AM
I've known JoAnna since college, and one of the most wonderful things about her is her excitement for travel and trying new things. I have lived vicariously, over the years, through her emails and blogs about traveling in Kenya, Korea and all over the world. JoAnna is such a fabulous writer that you feel like you are traveling along side her to wonderful destinations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Selene Ammaccapane says: May 19 2009 04:46:41 AM
I'm not surprised. When I heard about JoAnna's intention to submit a proposal for the Digital Vagabond Rhodes Scholarship, I knew it was a perfect fit. So many comments made in the posts above "hit the nail on the head" about her. What stands out the most about her? You can see it in her picture. You can hear it in her words. That's the point. She's good. It's true what all these folks have taken the time to write about her - heart, compassion, energy, respect, talent, expression, clarity, inspiration - it's a total package deal with JoAnna. I wish I could covey in just the right way how RIGHT she is for this opportunity, how thrilled you will be with her work - but I can't. I'm not JoAnna Haugen. Send her out there. You'll see.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pat the Digital Vagabond says: May 19 2009 04:26:42 AM
JoAnna, I admire your willingness to quit your steady job and gamble on living free in the wildernesses of the Great American West. I agree that, now more than ever, Americans need to rediscover the natural beauty in their own backyard. We’ve become a nation of debt slaves who have been sold a fake American dream. Most Americans are so busy racing to pay for all the junk they've been sold that they can’t afford the time to enjoy our greatest treasure – our own natural wonderland. Those who are too shackled to run free in this natural wonderland could at least experience it vicariously through you. What you share would remind others of the beauty, serenity and freedom that’s theirs if they have the bravery to step out and claim it. Kudos to you for your brave vision! Given your strong track record of solid writing and mindful travel, I agree with your many supporters - you have the ability to pull this off and inspire!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sarah Miller says: May 19 2009 10:33:54 AM
Joanna's writing always draws me into her experience so that I can imagine it for myself. I would love to hear her perspective on these American landmarks, especially the Oregon Trail. My 7th grade students study it, and it would be great to connect them with a person who has seen the real thing!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Linda Lubin says: May 19 2009 10:35:53 AM
I met JoAnna at a friends wedding in Ohio. What struck me about her was her genuine wonder, her propensity to see to the heart of things. We sat and spoke throughout the weekend and it was refreshing to meet someone so down to earth, so in touch with herself. JoAnna above all else inspires me. I have so many stories in my head but that's where they stay, in my head. She has a clarity and point of view that draws you in and keeps you there for hours. I think she would be perfect for this scholarship. I can think of no one better for the honor!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Erin Moller-Johnson says: May 19 2009 11:33:43 AM
I met JoAnna in college through a class that took a two week trip to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. I instantly was drawn to her exuberance for life, and for travel. She made my first trip overseas extremely amazing, as she is truly amazed by every new experience that she has. She is such a talented person, and someone who would truly appreciate an experience such as this!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wista Johnson says: May 22 2009 03:17:00 AM
Joanna and I are members of the same writers group in Las Vegas. I admire her talent, dedication, and no-nonsense approach to her craft/art. She produces countless articles for online and print media on topics ranging from travel to dance. She's an inspiration to many in the group and is always willing to share her ideas, contacts, and resources. She's a whiz with online networking and systematically pursues new outlest for her work. Her passion for travel and the outdoors, makes her the perfect candidate for the "road trip." Her vivid descriptions draw readers into local cultures and landscapes. I believe she is the perfect candidate for this opportunity.
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