Harvey Travel Arts

Writing Juxtaposed brought so many memories to the forefront of my mind. I participate in numerous author and reader groups online, and one of the topics that comes up is the issue of writing realistic fiction. Fiction is comprised of many genres, from science fiction to fantasy, from historic to contemporary romance--the list goes on and on. However, many readers often appreciate a dose of reality within the confines of the intended genre.  Paris was the first European city I ever visited--what an intense experience! The trip was the beginning of a love for the charm that came with Parisian architecture, art, history, food, and the people. From my first glance at the (kinda small and unassuming!)  Mona Lisa to a more recent taste of (authentic!) Texas barbecue at the Beast, I have enjoyed exploring the endless possibilities of such a vibrant city that embraces both the modern and the historic like no other. For that reason, I chose the backdrop of Paris for Juxtaposed, the...

Writing A Pinch of Salt was an exercise in finding balance. As a Christian, I want to keep my writing clean and point others to Christ. As a writer, I also want to keep my stories as authentic to life as they can be. The fact is, life is not always clean. Things get very messy, and the characters in my books are not all Christians. All my characters have flaws, and even the ones that are Christians make mistakes. How, then, should I write in a way that shows the grit and grime of the world while keeping the writing clean enough for my audience to appreciate? Balance. For me, that means showing just enough detail in a given situation to be aware of the harsh realities of life without providing graphic descriptions or language to go along with the scene. ​ Writing a scene that makes the reader a little uncomfortable (for the sake of the character) is one thing, but writing a scene that makes the reader throw the book down in disgust is another. My goal is to afford my readers a...

It has been a long time since I've updated my blog!  I apologize for that.  Sometimes life gets in the way and sometimes I just forget and loose track of the things I have started and need to keep up.  With that said, I really appreciate you all for reading this travel blog and hope to get it going again soon.   But first, I want to share with you my latest creation!  The Inheritance Inn, by my alter ego, Rebekah Burton, is now available as a Kindle book at Amazon.  I will also make it available in paperback form soon.    Here's a description to get you started: Avery’s life is turned upside down when she loses her job and a beloved great-aunt in the same day. Before the fateful Monday is even over, she discovers that she has also inherited her family’s inn. Soon Avery is at odds with her own relatives over the planned reopening of the inn. Avery isn’t even sure she wants her inheritance, but eventually discovers that someone else...

This is the New Chapa Lion Mural by Jesse Trevino at the Goodwill building in San Antonio's Market Square.  Brian and I used to live in San Antonio but we have not visited in about seven years.  This past weekend we decided to go and reminisce.  I've seen this mural before but I don't think we had a picture of it until now.  Really beautiful building that adds another layer of character to the already colorful Market Square area.

Brian and I saw similar signs to the one above at almost all the ruins we saw in New Mexico over Labor Day weekend.  They made me wonder how often rattlesnakes approach the area when humans are present.  We also saw mention of what to do when confronted by a large animal, such as a wildcat.  "Make yourself look larger" the warnings said.  How does one do this?  And do people actually remember the warnings if they are approached by a dangerous animal?Honestly, although I was aware of my surroundings the entire time, I was not worried.  I felt relatively safe staying on the trails with other people in the afternoon heat.  The rattlesnakes can have all the privacy they want, however. 

Brian and I spent Labor Day weekend traveling to New Mexico.  Leaving after work on Friday, we stopped in Amarillo overnight and continued on the next day to visit some of the Salinas Pueblo Missions near Mountainair, New Mexico, just south of Albuquerque.  There were three, the first one we visited is known today as Gran Quivira.  The ruins themselves date to the 17th century when the Spanish brought Catholicism to the Native Americans in the area.  Famine, attacks from outside tribes, and disease contributed to the desertion of these missions, but little details remain to fill in the complete history.

On our trip to South Dakota, Brian and I drove through a wildlife refuge and found these guys by the side of the road.  We had been driving for quite a while, and had seen prairie dogs and other small creatures, but were wondering if the buffalo would grace us with their presence.  Finally we turned a corner, and there they were!  A field dotted with them, all different ages, colors and sizes.  They aren't too cute, but they are fun to watch in their natural habitat.  

Hello readers!  I am very sorry it has been so long since I've updated my blog; however, I have been quite busy.  We did a road trip to Mount Rushmore, and thought that would be appropriate for an Independence Day getaway.  I have to admit, I was more impressed with the natural beauty of the surrounding hills, valleys, rocks and nature than I was the stone carving.  Oh trust me, it took a lot of talent and years of dedicated work for Borglum's team to do this.  I wouldn't know where to start.  But just how did that granite and rock get there to begin with?  Our Creator put it there.   Anyway, I have to say, Roosevelt was the one whose face wore the most genuine  expression.  What do you think?

In honor of our nation's upcoming Independence Day celebration, I give you Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of our Declaration of Independence.  The above photo is taken inside his monument in Washington DC.  Below is Jefferson's home, Monticello. It is said that the day before he died, Jefferson asked, "Is it the fourth yet?" He died hours later, on July 4, 1826, as did John Adams.

 It's hard to believe that almost a year has gone by since these pictures were taken.  My mother came for a visit in the fall of 2011, when Brian and I were still living in Germany (the second time around).  We took her to Rothenburg.  It's a small town, where Christmas seems to be a year-round event, but there is a lot of charm and history to be seen. These photos are of a bridge and some of the walls that are left to explore.  There isn't much left of them today, but they are fun to walk through and imagine different times in the city's history.  There are a lot of beautiful photo ops, too.  I recommend this little town if you're driving through Germany and want a quiet afternoon that is off the beaten path.

Sometimes I wish I could just jet to Paris for the day.  Really.  Brian and I have been quite a few times and have seen most of the touristy places we want to see. But to spend a day or two strolling the busy streets, enjoying baguettes, crepes with Nutella, and other tasty treats, visiting art that we can't get enough of: that would be a relaxing day.  It is also amusing to come across places like "Fajitas".  As a native Texan, I would not eat at a Mexican restaurant in Paris.  Most of my experiences with Mexican food in Europe have been weird.  Things like roast beef and carrots in fajitas. Broccoli.  The food is usually okay tasting, but not the flavors one expects. Then there's "Les Deux Magots" which makes the immature kid inside of me laugh.  This place actually has a history with former frequent patrons such as Picasso and Hemingway.  So what are you waiting for?  Just hop in your personal jet for a weekend in Paris...Oh, ...

I just think that living in a little village of winding steps, flat roofs, decks, hills and clear skies might be an adventure.  Imagine waking every morning, opening the shades to take in a sleepy little town where no one else was stirring, existing peacefully in that moment of calm, sipping your tea or whatever it is you prefer.  Listening to the ocean, watching the shopkeepers roll up their doors, opening stores, restaurants with pitchers of water, cafes with old men, their stories and reliving past memories.  Just a few more minutes of peace before a little chaos called a cruise ship comes in, soon the streets flocked with tourists wearing their hats, sunglasses, sandals, women in white cotton sundresses, men in shorts, t-shirts and leather flip-flops.  They'll stop by, pick up some jewelry, a few kitschy souvenirs, maybe something beautiful to be shipped back home. They'll tour the chapels, taste the wine, get some sun, enjoy a salad with feta, tomatoes, cuc...

 We came across several animals while touring the Greek Isles.  Mostly they seemed to be wild or free to explore and go wherever they wanted, without anyone bothering them.  The dog has a collar, so I presume he belonged to someone.  The cat, however, was one of many we saw roaming about.  If they had owners, the cats were certainly still in charge.  I particularly enjoyed the way this cat was turning toward a plant, as though looking for an insect or leaf to enjoy.

"Freedom Is Not Free" as shown on the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC.  Please remember those who have fought all wars this Memorial Day.  

On our cruise last summer, Brian and I visited Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games.  It is now where the Olympic torch is lit, in an unfortunately pagan ceremony.  When we walked around the area, I remember commenting to Brian that it is sad to see all of that time and energy spent building huge monuments to pagan idols when it could have been used to provide for the poor who were likely building such places.  Well, it is now that time of the Olympic season and the torch was lit just a few days ago.  These pictures, from our cruise, show the place where it was lit.  It was a pagan temple, and you can read about it in the below photo. What I would rather do, though, is talk about God: the Creator of the Universe and all that is in it.  He made our bodies capable of so much, as the athletes demonstrate during the games.  I like to watch the gymnasts, diving, track and swimming in particular, because of the fluid movement of the athl...

Does anyone else need some inspiration today?  Sometimes I think back to our Greek cruise last summer and wish I could spend just ten minutes on Santorini or Mykonos with my face to the breezy, salty air and the fresh, beautiful scenery all around me.  These little chapels, of which I have posted several photos, inspire me.  The crisp, refreshing whitewash and the cheerfully colored trim and domes exude peace.  Walking into to the incense-filled chapels was, like I've said before, a different experience from the often heavy, overwhelming decor of the cathedrals in Europe. Homes, hotels, and businesses on these islands are similar in appearance. I just want to sit on a bench in a sundress, enjoying a glass of water or wine, and feel the sun on my face.  Just for ten minutes.

This photo makes me want to relax!  I love the ocean in the distance, the balconies of rooms that are sure to please, the blue sky, soft sand and a beautiful flower at the center of it all.  I absolutely enjoyed our recent Jamaican getaway for my birthday....I think instead of writing, I'll add some additional inspiration for relaxation here: There's a boat and some loungers for you to enjoy, and a tree winding many ways to offer shade....And just a little peek of the swimming pool on the bottom edge.  Whatever life is offering you at the moment that may have you stressed, enjoy a little relaxing moment here.

Brian and I recently went to Jamaica to celebrate my birthday.  We went to Sandals Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, just down the road from where we got married almost ten years ago.  In fact, it was just a short walk down the beach to our wedding location.  Sometimes when we return to such locations, I wish I could have left something there, a handwritten note or time capsule so that I could capture the feelings I had on a given day.  I suppose that is why I enjoy blogging so much; it allows me to relive moments and reflect on life.  Anyway, this peacock was one of about twenty on the property and they were so much fun!  They provided entertainment with their nosy calls (sounded like a cat meowing very loudly) and they followed the food around when dining.  But they didn't get in the way, and the males even showed off their feathers!

Hello Readers!  If you can handle one more post about my book, I'll get back to travel photos soon!  The only other updates I'll include will be the print and other editions and other books as they come available.  Other than that, I'll get back to my original focus for this blog.  I liked the original sunflower design, but it didn't connect as well with the plot for my book.  After thinking about it, I went back to my original idea which was to include a young, hopeful woman on the cover.  (Photo credit Anita Peppers.)  So, what do you think about my new cover?

Hi Readers, Yes, I am continuing with HarveyTravelArts... But for a couple more days you will see a few posts here and there about my new book.  Bear with me, because I have plenty more photos to share from our travels. However, if anyone is interested in my book, here is a link to my new writing blog. Rebekah Burton Writes