A former educator, Nicky Leach was born in the seventh-century cathedral city of Ely, near Cambridge, England. She moved to the western United States over 40 years ago, where she has worked as a publishing executive and freelance writer/editor ever since. She has authored or contributed to more than 60 guidebooks focusing on the natural and cultural history of the United States, from Florida to Hawaii to the West, and has received awards of excellence from the National Park Service for her visitor guides to US national parks. A meditator and healing practitioner, she believes that inner travel is as important as travel in the outside world, and that both are necessary for a balanced life. In addition to writing and editing books, she is a certified bodyworker and biodynamic craniosacral therapist. She may be reached through her website: nickyleachwriter-editor.com.