Best-Selling Author and Travel Writer, Pam Grout Shares her Story with Us Today!

Good Morning and Welcome Back to Bathroom Blues Travel Blog.

I love Pam Grout's books and have shared many  on my spiritual blog. I've followed her for quite a while and we've exchanged correspondence. I knew from reading her work that Pam wrote several travel blogs, books and articles, so I reached out to her about being our guest and here's what she had to say...

Here's why I wrote my travel books.

First, I LOVE traveling. I've often told the story of how I fell into travel writing. I sent a query to Ladies Home Journal pitching a story on being a freelance writer. I'm not sure what impelled me to think they'd want a story like that, but in a paragraph about recent assignments, I mentioned picking coffee in Nicaragua and renting a villa in Jamaica, both of which were written for non-travel magazines. 

The editor called me to inquire, "Do you ever do travel writing?" Since you never say no to an editor, I said, "yes," even though I wasn't exactly sure what that was.

She asked where I was going next, and even though I had nothing planned, I answered, "Tampa." She assigned me a set number of words, and I promptly called my sorta-boyfriend who WAS going to Tampa with his family to ask if I could join.

Since then, I've written hundreds of travel articles and written travel columns for Huffington Post and The Daily Meal, to name just a few. 

I also happily discovered that travel writers get invited on all sorts of amazing trips and, in that capacity, I've been to 80 countries, writing about everything from cruises in Moscow to mud baths in Philippines to safaris in Brazil. 

It has been magical.

Eventually, travel book publishers called asking me to write books. The first was Kansas Curiosities  featuring wacky things in my home state--everything from the world's largest ball of string to underground cities to a concrete Model T. I went on to write Colorado Curiosities and the Girlfriend Getaway Guide, all of which were assigned to me by Globe-Pequot Press.

An editor there recommended me to National Geographic for which I wrote a three-book series on meaningful vacations. These 2 are still available!

The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life

and

The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life

Today, travel books aren't as popular as you can get more up-to-date information online. But I LOVED my couple dozen years writing travel. 

Pam Grout is the author of 17 books and a reporter for People magazine, CNN, Huffington Post, Men's Journal and many others. Find out more by visiting her website, travel blog or Facebook page. Get a more complete bio Here. Read my posts about her books Here and Here.

Thank You, Pam for visiting with us today. I just LOVE how you "fell into" travel writing. Kinda like how this blog came about LOL!

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends and that you'll check back often for more travel books, posts and articles.

Until next time, be safe on your adventures!

PamT

PS: There are 54 travel books in the "Curiosities" collection. Find them all HERE. Also, check out Pam's other book You'll Know When You are in Kansas When... HERE.

Travel Smart

Good Morning and Welcome back to Bathroom Blues Travel Blog!

Way back in April I mentioned that I was expanding this blog to include articles, essays and guest posts. Today, I'm sharing with you an article I wrote back in 2017 for an insurance company I worked for. I think you'll find it informative and I hope you'll enjoy it...

Months on the open road, hiking in the mountains or forests…

Many people dream of taking an extensive vacation, voyage abroad, long road trip or RV trek across the country. No one likes to think they won’t return from their vacation but, more times than we imagine, some don’t. Therefore, it is important to make sure your legal affairs are in order and that someone knows what your final wishes are and how to carry them out.  

Here are a few things to keep in mind and help you prepare before you begin your journey….

#1: Have a will? Make sure your heir(s) have a copy or know where to find it. Don’t have one? Unless you have a huge estate, several ex-s, and/or a whole passel of kids, a simple list of instructions on who/what/when/where should suffice. 

#2: Are your banking, bills and/or personal financial transactions handled online? Your surviving spouse and/or children need to know how to access these accounts and what to do with them. Put everything on a “thumb/jump” drive or an external hard drive and leave it with your nearest relative/child, in a safe deposit box, or with your attorney. Be sure to list Life Insurance/Burial Policies and/or Retirement/Investment Accounts as well as home/auto and other insurance.

#3: Have a DNR or Living Will? Make sure the party you are travelling with has access to these documents. 

#4: Have food or medicine allergies? Be sure to let the party you are travelling with know these things. Keep a list in your wallet and/or wear a medical bracelet or tag.

#5: Back up your computer files to an external hard drive and give it to your next of kin. That way, he or she can close any email/social media accounts/groups you belong to.

#6: List the details of your funeral and/or burial for your spouse, significant other and/or children/heirs. These decisions are difficult for grieving loved ones, so make it easy on them by letting them know whether you want a funeral or cremation and other such particulars.

#7: Along with special instructions on how to finalize your earthly existence, write a letter to your loved ones. Let them know how proud you are of them, make amends or simply voice your love. These words will last much longer than any harsh memories they have (or may have had) of you in the past.

These are a few ideas to help make your summertime fun and should you not return, the shock less intense for those you leave behind. Before you get on the road, board that train or plane, or head out with your RV or in a motorhome, talk to your insurance agent about a final expense or travel policy for just in case.

Traveling with kids and pets? Here are some items you may need...

*Pet records. Having your dog or cat’s shot records with you will make finding hotel rooms or temporary shelter for your furry friends a whole lot easier.

*First aid kit. Include baby, antiseptic and disinfectant wipes.

*Laptops, I-Pads, Electronic reading devices. These are easy to carry, don’t take up much room and will help keep the kids occupied while travelling. Make sure you pack car and home chargers! Books, Coloring books & Crayons and card/board games work well also.

*Granola/Cereal bars, peanut butter, fruit snacks, trail mix, bottled water, etc.

Until next time, take care and travel smart.

PamT

©2017 All Rights Reserved.

Image provided by Pixabay via Freerange

Guest Post: How to Find Clean Public Restrooms in Major Tourist Cities

Good Morning and Welcome Back to Bathroom Blues Travel Blog!

You know, it never ceases to amaze me how God works.

I mentioned back in April that I had opened this blog to guest posts, and reiterated the info several times since. When I first put the call out, not many people responded. Then I get a message through my website from Sara M @ NZtourism... Yep, you heard that right and they wanted to provide articles for us!

I've never been to New Zealand but the heroine in one of the stories in my book, A Hint of Holiday Romance, goes to Wellington Harbour and finds her long-lost father there.

Coincidence?

I don't think so.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this article as it fits right in with our theme of bathroom cleanliness...

How to Find Clean Public Restrooms in Major Tourist Cities

Introduction

Exploring a new global metropolis is one of the most exhilarating experiences a traveler can enjoy. You can spend hours wandering through historic cobblestone streets, admiring towering architectural wonders, and immersing yourself in vibrant local markets. However, a lengthy day of sightseeing inevitably brings a common, universal challenge. Every traveler eventually faces the urgent need to find a clean, safe, and accessible public restroom. In an unfamiliar destination, this simple biological necessity can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal. The challenge is magnified by varying cultural norms, hidden fees, and diverse urban layouts. A lack of preparation can easily disrupt an otherwise perfect travel itinerary, forcing you to cut your excursions short. Fortunately, urban centers around the world offer numerous resources for the savvy explorer. Navigating these options requires a blend of digital tools, cultural awareness, and strategic thinking. By mastering a few straightforward techniques, you can ensure that your urban adventures remain comfortable and uninterrupted. This comprehensive guide provides the essential tools, hidden strategies, and practical insights required to locate pristine facilities in any major tourist city. With the right approach, you will never have to worry about finding a quality restroom during your global travels.

Leverage Digital Tools and Crowdsourced Mobile Applications

In the modern digital era, technology serves as your primary asset when searching for nearby facilities. A variety of dedicated mobile applications have been developed specifically to address this universal human need. These platforms rely heavily on crowdsourced data, allowing global citizens to map out, rate, and review restrooms in real time. Popular smartphone applications such as Flush, Toilet Finder, and Where is Public Toilet offer vast global databases containing hundreds of thousands of registered facilities. These applications use your smartphone's real-time geographic location to pinpoint the exact coordinates of nearby restrooms instantly. They also provide crucial contextual details, indicating whether a specific location offers wheelchair accessibility, requires a specific entry key, or charges a small usage fee. Furthermore, standard navigation tools like Google Maps and Apple Maps have vastly improved their databases. Simply typing basic keywords into your search bar can yield surprisingly accurate results. Beyond standard maps, specialized regional applications exist for specific destinations. For example, visitors exploring Australia can utilize the National Public Toilet Map, a government-supported platform tracking over thousands of facilities. By downloading these digital resources before departing on your journey, you gain access to an interactive safety net that functions even when you are offline.

Explore High-End Commercial Hubs and Hospitality Spaces

When mobile applications are unavailable or provide limited local data, targeting specific types of urban businesses is a highly reliable strategy. High-end department stores, modern shopping malls, and multi-level commercial centers are premium destinations for clean facilities. Major retail hubs in retail districts prioritize consumer comfort, maintaining beautifully designed restrooms that receive frequent attention from custodial staff. Similarly, luxury hotels offer an excellent alternative for travelers seeking immaculate spaces, making this approach especially useful for those exploring New Zealand tourism. Large international hotel chains typically feature well-maintained restrooms located near their main lobbies, conference rooms, or lounge areas. To utilize these hospitality spaces discreetly, you should walk confidently past the reception area as if you are a staying guest or visiting the main restaurant. If you feel uncomfortable entering a hotel without reservation details, transit hubs present another viable option. Major central railway stations, modern subway terminals, and airport arrivals sections frequently host large public utilities. While some European transit hubs require a small coin payment to pass through turnstiles, the small fee ensures a higher standard of hygiene. Recognizing these architectural anchor points allows you to scan an unfamiliar skyline and immediately identify multiple locations likely to house pristine facilities.

Master the Rules of Cafes, Restaurants, and Customer Etiquette

Food and beverage establishments form the backbone of urban restroom access, but utilizing them requires an understanding of local commercial etiquette. Casual dining spots, global fast-food chains, and independent coffee shops are ubiquitous in heavy tourist zones. Establishments like Starbucks or McDonald's often maintain accessible facilities, though many urban locations protect their restrooms with digital keypad door locks. The access codes for these electronic locks are typically printed at the very bottom of a valid customer purchase receipt. Instead of attempting to slip past the cash register unnoticed, the most polite and effective approach is to purchase a small, low-cost item. Buying bottled water, a quick espresso, or a light snack transforms you into a paying patron, granting you legitimate access to the facilities without causing friction. In many traditional European cultures, independent cafes expect a polite, direct inquiry before you utilize their space. Simply greeting the counter staff and asking for permission reflects excellent travel manners. If the establishment restricts use to patrons, offering to pay a direct nominal fee to the staff is widely accepted. This transactional approach ensures you receive a high level of cleanliness while supporting the local merchants who maintain the infrastructure.

Understand Regional Customs and Prepare Emergency Kits

Restroom accessibility standards and sanitation customs vary dramatically across geographic borders. In many prominent European destinations, public facilities are routinely managed by professional attendants who collect a small fee, typically ranging from fifty cents to one euro. Travelers must carry a small selection of local coins to ensure they can easily pass these physical payment barriers. Conversely, East Asian tech centers like Tokyo or Seoul provide an abundance of free, exceptionally clean public restrooms inside subway stations and public parks. However, these modern spots may not always supply paper products, as local commuters routinely carry their own pocket tissues. To safeguard against unexpected maintenance gaps, every international traveler should assemble a compact personal hygiene kit. This pocket-sized emergency kit should contain a travel pack of flushable wet wipes, a small bottle of high-quality hand sanitizer, and a few folded sheets of durable toilet paper. Additionally, learning the correct local terminology for restrooms in the native language of your host country is incredibly beneficial. Knowing how to ask for the toilet, the water closet, or the washroom helps you communicate clearly with residents during urgent moments, bypassing confusing language barriers entirely.

Conclusion and Final Travel Strategy

Successfully navigating public utilities in major international cities does not have to be a source of travel anxiety. By combining modern mobile applications, identifying premium commercial properties, practicing proper business etiquette, and preparing a personal hygiene kit, you can easily conquer this common travel hurdle. Maintaining your personal comfort ensures you have the physical stamina and peace of mind to fully enjoy your global vacation. Do not wait until you are caught in an urgent situation in the middle of a crowded historic plaza. Take a proactive approach to your travel comfort today by downloading a reliable restroom finder application and reviewing the cultural customs of your next destination before you step onto the airplane. Safe travels, and may your upcoming urban adventures be entirely stress-free!

* * * *

I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I and I pray the different font makes reading a lot easier on the eyes. 😎 Even though provided by NZTourism, I believe we can all utilize this information to our benefit.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and Travel Happy!

PamT

Final Leg of 2025 Vacation Trip: Oklahoma City

Good Morning and Welcome Back to Bathroom Blues Travel Blog!

I hope you enjoyed our previous post with Nikki and Nissa and I really hope you're looking forward to more guest visits. I have several lined up for you. There will be travel books, articles and stories from fellow sojourners on the road of life.

Today we're going to finish up our 2025 Vacation with our trip to Okalhoma City. Normally we avoid big cities on our travels but my Honey wanted to spend some time at the National Cowboy & Western Museum in OKC. I've been there a couple of times while attending the OWFI Writers Conference, but he and his (now deceased) wife had gone one time only to be cut short due to the time they got there in relation to the time the museum closes.

Anyway, if you've never been to this beautiful facility, put it on your bucket list!

We left South Dakota and the Badlands heading toward OKC making a stop at the rest area located on I-81, exit 219. This one was nice but had no seat covers or paper towels. I'm getting more comfortable with the fact that not many have those amenities any more so the cleanliness of this one had me humming a happy tune. 

Continuing our journey, we stopped for the night at Dakota Sunsets Campground in Salem, SD. This beautiful, shady country campground had full hookups and a nice, big dog park. 

Here's a - little Late Show trivia for you... While traveling the next day, we passed through Norfolk NB home of Johnny Carson where 81S turns to Johnny Carson Blvd. 😊

Our next destination was Brome Ridge RV Park in Concordia, KS. Not exactly primitave (full hookups with 30/50/110 amp electricity) this is country camping for sure! No amenities, no dumpster but super-friendly owner, roomy, grassy spots and lot's of room to take the dog out walking. Bandit loved trying to chase rabbits while on a leash (and there were plenty of them!). Located 7 miles from town, we decided to forego additional driving and had hotdogs for supper.  

We finally checked in at Road Runner RV park in OKC and settled in in time to have dinner with my dear friend and fellow author, Winona Bennett Cross. This is a huge park where they host people both short and long-term. Not a lot of grass between the sites, but with full hookups, a beautiful community center where they host activities for long-term guests, complete with gorgeous bathrooms, meeting room, sitting areas, kitchen and laundry, AND places to walk you dog, you can't go wrong.

The next day we toured the museum and headed home the day after.

Our last night on the final leg of our trip was spent at Tyler Oaks RV Resort in Tyler, TX another really nice, countryfied campground with roomy sites, fish ponds, dog park - the perfect place to stay whether  just for one night or many.

This wraps up my 2025 vacation memories, folks! I hope you've enjoyed coming along for the ride and that you'll check back for more travel related fun.

Until next time, take care and drive safe!

PamT