Hi everyone, and welcome back to another inspiring interview. This week we are proud to feature Donna Hull, a baby boomer traveler who has so far been unable to satisfy her itchy travel feet. Donna travels far and wide with her husband Alan, and documents their stories on her blog My Itchy Travel Feet. Her stories remind us that it is never to late to discover something new and exciting in a faraway land. We hope you enjoy the interview and feel free to ask more questions in the comments below!

GO!: Let's start with a brief introduction. Who are you, where are you, and what do you do?

Donna: I'm Donna Hull, a freelance writer specializing in travel and human interest content for online and print publications. My photographer husband Alan and I live in Tucson, Arizona where the sunny weather means plenty of outdoor adventure. At My Itchy Travel Feet, The Baby Boomer's Guide to Travel, we publish a blog about active travel for baby boomers. Travel and writing are my two passions. I'm lucky to be able to combine them.

GO!: From what age did you start traveling?

Donna: Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, I didn't have many opportunities for travel except for family trips to Daytona, Florida or to the North Georgia mountains to see the fall colors. My real travel began when I married Alan in 2000 and we discovered a mutual love for travel.

GO!: What came first, travel writing or blogging?

Donna: Travel writing came first for me but blogging has really increased my online presence. The challenges of selling articles, whether online or in print, remains the same.

Blogging has complicated travel for me. Not only am I researching for future articles, I also must keep up with posts for My Itchy Travel Feet. Plus, there's the business side of keeping up a blog that doesn't end when I'm on the road.

GO!: Your blog is clearly targeted at an older generation of travelers. What is this audience looking for in a travel experience?

Donna: With an estimated 77 million baby boomers in the U.S., this generation covers the gamut in travel expectations. But we have many traits in common, including more free time, increased discretionary income and curiosity about experiences we might have missed earlier in life. Slow travel, cultural connections and soft adventure are some of the experiences that baby boomers seek. Many also feel they've earned the right to travel in comfort.

GO!: What are the challenges of getting your content to this intended audience?

Donna: Obviously, I am only reaching those baby boomers who feel comfortable online. Besides maintaining the My Itchy Travel Feet, I also try to go where baby boomers congregate on the internet, which means participating on forums. Starting a page on Facebook has netted quite a few new readers as that is a big boomer hangout.

GO!: How do you separate your blog from the numerous other travel blogs?

Donna: From the beginning, I made our mission clear, to advise baby boomers about where to go, what to do and how to plan for an active trip based upon our personal experience. Our content delivers. Also, the photographs at My Itchy Travel Feet are very popular. I'm proud to say that 90% of them have been taken by Alan or me.

The travel blog community is friendly, helpful and extremely supportive. I welcome competition from other baby boomer travel blogs. It increases the number of baby boomers reading blogs which will eventually lead them to My Itchy Travel Feet.

GO!: Do you feel that travel blogs such as yours have replaced the need for large scale travel publications (e.g. Lonely Planet)?

Donna: There's a place in the travel writing world for large scale travel publications and blogs. I certainly can't write the amount of detail in a blog post that National Geographic Traveler is able to print in a 1,500+ word article. Right now, I'm reading an Eyewitness Travel guide in preparation for a trip to Italy this fall, then I'll supplement with internet research including reading blogs.

GO!: Many people perceive the profession of traveling writing as an endless vacation. Do you believe this is true?

Donna: Travel writing is definitely hard work. When I'm at a destination, I'm looking for article material, observing other tourists or talking with the owner of the bed and breakfast where I'm staying. Although I'm able to experience wonderful places, writing about them is always on my mind. The surprising part for me is just how much I love working 10-hour days.

GO!: What impact, if any, has travel writing had on your relationships with friends and family?

Donna enjoying life as a baby boomer traveler.

Donna: Traveling certainly keeps me from seeing my family and friends as often as I would like. And, I don't think people in general understand how much time it takes to run a blog. It's a full time business that requires marketing, constantly learning new technology, selling (advertisements), writing, editing and connecting with readers.

We combine travel with visiting family. Alan and I just completed a road trip that included traveling for article research as well as stops to see family. And Skype is wonderful, especially for staying connected with our grandchild.

GO!: What in your opinion, is the best way to travel?

Donna: I don't think there is a best way to travel. Each person should experience travel in a way that works for him or her. I have a big problem with travel writers or bloggers who advocate only one way to travel as the right way.

GO!: It is August 8th, 2015. Where are you and what are you doing?

Donna: Today, I'm in Tucson, Arizona. After exercising at the gym, I've written a blog post, edited a guest post, performed a few blog maintenance duties, conducted email discussions with advertisers, connected with readers on Facebook and Twitter plus answered your interview. Oh, and a bobcat streaked by my window trying to jump onto the roof of our house.

GO!: Any last words?

Donna: Don't put off travel. Go as often as your budget and time allows.

Thanks so much for interviewing me about travel writing and My Itchy Travel Feet. It's been a pleasure talking about my two favorite subjects – travel and writing.