[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|||10%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ module_alignment=”left” custom_width_px=”500px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Professional Speaker & Outdoor Enthusiast” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
I am honored to have won many travel awards and other writing accolades over the years. But I am most proud of my four <\/span>Lowell Thomas Awards<\/span><\/a>, which are considered the Pulitzers of travel writing. My fellow Lowell Thomas awardees include luminaries such as <\/span>Rick Steves<\/span><\/a>, author and TV\/radio travel show host, <\/span>Andrew McCarthy<\/span><\/a>, a freelance writer, actor and director, and <\/span>Beth J. Harpaz<\/span><\/a>, travel editor of The Associated Press.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Silver Lowell Thomas Award,\u00a0Special Packages\/Projects Judges’ comments:\u00a0<\/em>“The expertise and understanding of the region makes this journey believable. The honest and openness in storytelling connects the humanity to the sense of place. The presentation is a full court press of incredible print and online design. The photography is excellent and well-informed. The project shows a great collaboration between the writer and the photographer. The video journal updates were full of personality. The stories relay the tales of encountering many hikers and the different ways people interact with hiking. Readers learn about the trail, a little more about the depth of pride in a place and the difficulty and joy a journey like this provides.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gold Lowell Thomas Award, Best Short Travel Article Judges’ comments:<\/em> “Their weariness is so palpable that my own limbs begin to tremble,\u201d Melanie Radzicki McManus writes. She then records the other hiker\u2019s comments to a companion. “\u2018The next time we do this, we\u2019ll be smarter about it \u2026 but this is the last time we\u2019re doing it.\u2019\u201d With a vivid, gripping style, McManus puts the reader there with her. Experiencing the steepness of the 2,000-foot climb, the burning with each breath and the strain with each step. There\u2019s a sense of connection visitors make with Manitou Incline\u2019s past and its present, putting the entire experience into context immediately.<\/p>\n SATW CENTRAL STATES AWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n 2nd Place: Best Travel Article Featuring Central States Meeting Sites 2nd Place: Best Travel How-To\/Consumer Reporting Article 3rd Place: Best Travel How-To\/Consumer Reporting Article 3rd Place: Best Magazine Travel Article – International Destinations <\/p>\n SATW CENTRAL STATES AWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n Place: Best Newspaper Article – U.S.\/Canada 3rd Place: Best Newspaper Article – U.S.\/Canada <\/p>\n Gold Lowell Thomas Award, Best Short Travel Article SATW CENTRAL STATES AWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n Place: Best Newspaper Article 3rd Place: Best Magazine Article <\/p>\n Lowell Thomas Travel Writer of the Year Grand Award, Honorable Mention<\/strong> Judges’ comments:<\/em> “Melanie Radzicki McManus surprises readers with stories about places they\u2019ve never heard of. Who knew there\u2019s a museum memorializing a former Japanese internment camp in McGehee, Arkansas? More impressive, though, is how she inspires readers with her outlandish physical feats. At age 52, becoming only the fourth woman to \u201cthru-hike\u201d the 1,100-mile Ice Age Trail across Wisconsin, she set a fast-packing record by running it in 36 days. (35 if you subtract the day she had to log 0 miles to treat a foot infection.) Her reporting entertains\u00a0but almost makes us feel guilty for taking the time to sit down and read it.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SATW CENTRAL STATES TRAVEL AWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n 1st Place: Best Newspaper Article – International Destinations 3rd Place: Best Travel App 3rd Place: Best Travel How-To\/Consumer Reporting Article Honorable Mention: Best Travel Article in a Digital Medium Honorable Mention: Best Travel How-To\/Consumer Reporting Article <\/p>\n SATW CENTRAL STATES TRAVEL AWARDS<\/strong><\/p>\n 1st Place: Best Travel How-To\/Consumer Reporting Article 2nd Place: Best Travel App 3rd Place: Best Travel App Honorable Mention: Best Travel How-To\/Consumer Reporting Article <\/p>\n Gold Lowell Thomas Award, Best Environmental Tourism Award <\/p>\n 1st Place: Best Newspaper Article on U.S.\/Canada, SATW Central States Award<\/strong><\/p>\n 2nd Place: Best Background, Analytical or Interpretive Story, Milwaukee Press Club Awards for Excellence in Journalism, <\/p>\n SATW CENTRAL STATES TRAVEL AWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n 2nd Place: Best Newspaper Article on U.S.\/Canada SATW = Society of American Travel Writers<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” module_id=”bottom-section” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”1037″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ebe6d1″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Read about all of the places I’ve traveled (and hiked!), from the U.S., Spain and Italy to Israel, China, New Zealand and beyond.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles” button_text=”read more” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#a6bd7f” button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ button_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” custom_css_main_element=”margin-top: 5%;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#0b3447″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Need an engaging, enthusiastic speaker? I’m your person for talks about hiking, women in the outdoors, solo travel and more.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/speaking” button_text=”learn more” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#a6bd7f” button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ button_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” custom_css_main_element=”margin-top: 5%;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ebe6d1″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Check out my photos from popular and remote locales. They’re for sale, too.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/photography” button_text=”learn more” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#a6bd7f” button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ button_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” custom_css_main_element=”margin-top: 5%;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#0b3447″ custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Planning a hike on trails I’ve conquered? Read my daily diaries to help you prepare. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/trail-journals” button_text=”learn more” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#a6bd7f” button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ button_font=”Montserrat|||on|||||” custom_css_main_element=”margin-top: 5%;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AWARDS I am honored to have won many travel awards and other writing accolades over the years. But I am most proud of my four Lowell Thomas Awards, which are considered the Pulitzers of travel writing. My fellow Lowell Thomas awardees include luminaries such as Rick Steves, author and TV\/radio travel show host, Andrew McCarthy, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this:\r\n\r\n2019<\/h2>\n
“Feeling Superior”<\/a>
<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n2018<\/h2>\n
“Testing your lungs in Colorado’s fresh air”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>“No cars allowed: Michigan’s Mackinac is an island of bicycles” <\/strong><\/a>
Judges’ comments:<\/em> Of the varied looks at Mackinac Island, this bicycle tour through the whimsical island village made it sound most appealing. It was hard to not want to be on a bike cruising through the island.<\/p>\n
“No cars allowed: Michigan’s Mackinac is an island of bicycles” <\/a><\/strong>
Judges’ comments:<\/em> A whimsical trip to Mackinac Island on bike sounds like the kind of fun one might only have in Key West otherwise. Great idea for a story and very well-written and informative.<\/p>\n
“How New Zealand Became the Home of Extreme Sports”<\/a><\/strong>
Judges’ comments:<\/em> Adventure junkies are always looking for new things and this article offers plenty of that. Informative and descriptive.<\/p>\n
“Taking on a Tiger”<\/a><\/strong>
Judges’ comments<\/em>: The writer really brings readers along on the trip through China in a way that is personal and also revealing.<\/p>\n2017<\/h2>\n
“Isle Royale promises moose, wolves and wilderness”<\/a><\/strong>
Judges’ comments:<\/em> Excellent storytelling that gave a strong sense of place. Well-described scenes that transport the reader into the location. A strong narrative that brought reader to moments of tension on trip followed by surprise.<\/p>\n
“Sledding at Great Sand Dunes National Park”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n2016<\/h2>\n
“Island Disputes”<\/a><\/strong>
Judges’ comments: <\/em> This story does a fantastic job weaving information into a light, fun, readable narrative. Readers learn about disputed territories and the politics that still haunt some, such as this tiny rocky island off the coast of Maine that is claimed by both Canada and the U.S. Melanie Radzicki McManus makes her audience want to go on this same adventure by boat to see puffins on the island, even though her outing ultimately ended in failure.<\/p>\n
“D.C. shines in the off-season”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
“Island Disputes”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n2015<\/h2>\n
This award is given based on a portfolio of your work.<\/p>\n2013<\/h2>\n
“New Zealand’s walk on the wild side”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong>“V\u00eda de la Plata”<\/strong><\/p>\n
“A Guide to Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
“Hiking Spain’s Camino to Santiago de Compostela”<\/strong><\/p>\n
“10 Great Camping Spots for Star-Gazing”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n2012<\/h2>\n
“10 Ways to Keep Your Kids from Driving You Crazy on a Road Trip”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
“Wisconsin Dells”<\/strong><\/p>\n
“V\u00eda de la Plata”<\/strong><\/p>\n
“How to Avoid Travel Fees”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n2011<\/h2>\n
“On the backs of giants”<\/a><\/strong>
Judges’ comments:<\/em> Melanie Radzicki McManus does an excellent job of telling the big story by getting the reader to care about the small story. “She had me at the first wave of her trunk” is the introduction to Khuan, a 19-year-old pregnant elephant at Patara Elephant Farm in Thailand. McManus tells about the care of elephants at the compound by a richly detailed account of caring for Khuan for a day.<\/p>\n2010<\/h2>\n
“Invasive Species”<\/strong><\/p>\n2009<\/h2>\n
“Where time stands still”<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWRITING<\/h4>\n
\nSPEAKING<\/h4>\n
\nPHOTOGRAPHY<\/h4>\n
\nTRAIL JOURNALS<\/h4>\n
\nHi there! I'm a bike messenger by day, aspiring actor by night, and this is my website. I live in Los Angeles, have a great dog named Jack, and I like pi\u00f1a coladas. (And gettin' caught in the rain.)<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n...or something like this:\r\n\r\n
The XYZ Doohickey Company was founded in 1971, and has been providing quality doohickeys to the public ever since. Located in Gotham City, XYZ employs over 2,000 people and does all kinds of awesome things for the Gotham community.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a new WordPress user, you should go to your dashboard<\/a> to delete this page and create new pages for your content. Have fun!","_et_gb_content_width":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n