For more than 40 years, Mel and Judy Malinowski traveled the world as partners, with their three children. This led them to visit 63 countries in search of diverse world cultures.
In 2015, leukemia took Judy’s life.
Click to see Judy’s life video (15 minutes) or view the Judy Malinowski Memories PDF for higher resolution pictures.
In the wake of this, in accordance with Judy’s wishes, Mel distributed their possessions among family, friends and charities, trimmed his beard and hair, and set out to continue what he and Judy enjoyed doing so much, exploring more countries, and trekking to remote places that they had missed.
Trinity Alps, California
“Freedom is a word I rarely use without thinking of the times that I’ve been loved.” —Donovan Leitch
This blog is the ongoing story of these travels, of a second life lived on the road around the world for a time with no more possessions than can fit in a 65 liter (mid-size) trekking backpack. Perhaps it is just a diary of sorts, a la “Travels with Charlie”. It will be here for your enjoyment if you wish to follow along. You may be inspired to go to some of these places yourselves one day.
Mel has recently began spending 6 months each year taking care of the family farm he grew up on in rural Washington State. That story will not appear here, but rather on http://amboy.malinowski.com
A big, unexpected change has happened in my life: I fell in love, and have re-married (June 15, 2019). For the next few years, I’ll be busy building a new life, and probably will not have time to post for some time. I will post an explanation soon.
Many years ago, Mel was a rock climber and mountaineer, and he has headed back up to the high country, and also to the lowland trails. These are spiritual places for him.
“The sea that calls all things unto her calls me, and I must embark. For to stay, though the hours burn in the night, is to freeze and crystallize and be bound in a mould.
Fain would I take with me all that is here. But how shall I? A voice cannot carry the tongue and the lips that give it wings. Alone must it seek the ether.
And alone and without his nest shall the eagle fly across the sun.”
—Khalil Gibran: “The Prophet.”
For our children, grandchildren and friends,
that they may share in this adventure,
dream of their own adventures,
and follow their dreams.
Mel’s email: mel@malinowski.com
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river ran,
Through caverns measureless to man,
Down to a sunless sea.
—Samuel Coleridge
How to view photo collages as a slide show
