Photo by Tom Plant
As I reluctantly left the Gulf Shores of Alabama, I read that psychologist Michelle Shiota said “Awe is a response to things you don’t have a mental template for.”
Our team of worldly, and often world-weary travelers, are sometimes struck by surprise in a moment of beauty or the unexpected. This week, in “Sweet
Home Alabama” I felt an ecstatic sense of wonder each day.
Readers of Where and What in the World, and our other travel columns, will learn the details of where to walk the pristine beaches, complete with sugar white sand, tangerine sunsets and bright stars. We will tell you about the innovative chefs, their recipes, and fish so fresh it was dancing on our tongues. Beyond the beaches of playful dolphins and delectable seafood, we discovered a sense of place filled with natural beauty, nature, art, family fun, and live music that surpassed all of our expectations.
For today, before I unpack and return to my busy life, I want to sing my praises to Alabama’s villages and shores along the Gulf of Mexico. This is a very special place not far away, that I knew existed, but had not taken the time to experience with all of my senses. I know for sure that I will return to authentic and awesome Alabama, perhaps for a vacation, maybe longer.
Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where And What in the World
Author: Brenda Hill
As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.
