Ralph Grizzle

I began my journalistic career at the age of 32, following the conclusion of my 'sabbatical decade.' From 1980 through 1990, I bicycled across America, pedaled through Europe and island-hopped the South Pacific. After backpacking through Bali, bussing through Java, hopping a boat to Singapore and crossing Malaysia to Thailand, I flew into Burma, tramped to Dhaka and endured a 32-hour train ride from calamitous Calcutta to bustling Bombay. From there, I hopped a plane for Greece and traveled to Switzerland before returning home, where I settled, quite naturally, into a career of travel writing. From 1996 to 2009, I contributed to HEMISPHERES, United Airlines' award-winning inflight magazine. The North American Travel Journalism Association, awarded my article, Ship Shape, which appeared in the September 2005 issue of Hemispheres, in the category of 'Best Cruise Writing.' I make my home in Asheville, North Carolina and live part of the year near Copenhagen, Denmark. When in Asheville, I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, lingering in coffee shops and frequent trips to the gorgeous Biltmore Estate. When in Scandinavia, I enjoy biking, lingering in coffee shops and trying to learn Scandinavian words. My work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and numerous consumer magazines. I am the author of four books, including Remembering Charles Kuralt,' a biography that Publisher's Weekly called 'a sweet and lovely homage, a welcome commemoration.' I am currently the Chief Evangelist at avidcruiser.com.