Travel Writing Portfolio

I write place‑driven travel essays that blend experience, context, and reflection. My work focuses on sustainability, cultural history, and the ways landscapes shape how we understand the world. Each piece is grounded in careful observation, a social scientist’s lens, and a commitment to ethical, thoughtful travel.

Below is a selection of recent work.

The Magic of Camping in Arches National Park

An immersive account of family camping in Devil's Garden Campground– from the cool and peaceful morning with a cup of coffee, to hiking directly from the campsite to experience multiple arches without getting back in the car, to stargazing in the dark skies of the desert night. This piece helps readers escape the chaos of the busy park and experience the wonder of Arches National Park.

Read: https://inextricably-linked-understanding-the-world-through-travel.ghost.io/the-magic-of-camping-in-arches-national-park/

Five Amazing Nights in St. John, Solo and Car-Free

Finding information on traveling to St. John as a solo woman seeking a safe, car-free, low-impact trip is surprisingly difficult, even in an age of endless online advice. This essay blends practical guidance with environmental and cultural context, highlighting ways to enjoy the island's unique beauty as sustainably and thoughtfully as possible.

Read: https://inextricably-linked-understanding-the-world-through-travel.ghost.io/five-amazing-nights-in-st-john-solo-and-car-free/

A Relaxing Solo Day in Waikiki

Travelers often dismiss Waikiki as a destination, seeking "hidden secret spots" or "local hangouts." This piece focuses on the sensory experience of a slow, restorative day in the heart of Waikiki– malasadas in the morning, the underwater world of snorkeling, socializing at happy hour, and sunset rituals on the beach. It highlights both the joys of solo travel and the cultural sustainability of spending at least part of a trip to Hawaii in this purpose-built tourist hub.

Read: https://inextricably-linked-understanding-the-world-through-travel.ghost.io/a-relaxing-solo-day-in-waikiki-the-last-chords-of-guitar-from-a-cover-of-israel-kamakawiwooles-somewhere-over-the-rainbow-what-a-wonderful-world-drift-away-as-the-man-next-to-me-claps-e/

About Me

I bring the soul of a wanderer and the lens of a social scientist to my writing. My academic background in political communication, the development of the U.S. and its origins in settler colonialism, and a grounding in solid quantitative and qualitative evidence shape how I understand the world. I’m a university professor, traveler, and writer based in Boulder, Colorado, building a portfolio of thoughtful, place‑rooted travel essays. My favorite destinations include the Hawaiian Islands, U.S. national parks, and any place in the world with a deep and interesting history and/or great snorkeling.

Contact

janet.donavan@gmail.com