Travelin' On . . . by Margaret Dornaus

Down Under Dream by Margaret Dornaus

   Welcome to the world of my new blog!  Here, you’ll find information about my life as a travel writer–a life I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy for more than a decade.  One that’s taken me to such exotic locations as the Australian Outback (the sunset view above is one that I captured at an Outback billabong while the beach at left is one of Australia’s most beautiful) . . .  and to more humble locales, virtually in my own backyard.  Here, too, you’ll frequently find posted excerpts from my works-in-progress –like my newly completed memoir House of Thorns, as well as announcements of upcoming projects, and links to many of the stories I’ve published already.  Feel free to explore the world with me (click on the links–About Me, More Stories, Travelin’ On Blog & The Writer’s Life–here or above to find out more about me and my travels), and feel free to leave comments of your own along the way.                             

 Happy Journeys,                             

 Margaret                             

Yours truly . . . Out back in the Outback by Dave Houser

That’s me, at right, surrounded by a bunch of “billies” in the tiny Outback town of Pooncarie.  You can learn more about my adventures there in the following excerpt from my newly completed travel memoir, House of Thorns:                  

     . . . When we stop for lunch in the tiny dot called Pooncarie, we’re amazed by the road traffic.  A convoy of El Caminos in every imaginable color has converged on this dusty back road village.  Mick tells us that a B&S Ball is planned for this evening.  “Bachelors and spinsters,” he explains.  Otherwise known as “billies” and “nannies.”                          

           “I haven’t seen an El Camino in years,” Andy warbles as we gape at the long line of Cowboy Cadillacs double-parked on the side of a sheep paddock.                          

              The B&S Ball is a once-a-yearly brawl designed to help potential mates from outlying areas find each other.  Clearly, it is the social event of the season.  We stop in for a preview at the dust-covered field surrounding the giant party tent staked out for the evening’s festivities.  At two o’clock in the afternoon, the pioneering bachelors have already circled their wagons and are heavily into swilling beer after beer as they perfect their ballroom swaggers.  By the time the dance band kicks in at eight, they’ll be lucky if they’re standing.                          

             I sidle up to a group of these wildlife bachelors with my camera.  Their welcoming response gives new meaning to the words “photo opportunity.”  Soon, I find myself ensconced on a billy’s lap; I’m surrounded by half a dozen others.  One of our group’s guides is muttering something about not being able to take me anywhere. . .