Award-winning travel writer Bud Russo first came to New Mexico as a student in 1960s. When he graduated from New Mexico State University, he began work as a technical writer for the Manned Space Flight Program at the very beginning of America’s venture into space. After earning a masters degree from Johns Hopkins University, he turned to industrial journalism – making a career of writing about factories and manufacturing technologies all over North America as well as Europe and Asia. After 40 years, he returned to New Mexico to retire; his retirement was quite short. When not writing young adult novels and about travel, Bud devotes his leisure to hiking, camping, and visiting natural and historic sites and parks. Bud makes his home in the enchanted Chihuahua Desert of Las Cruces. He is actively involved with the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Las Cruces and New Mexico Press Women, and American Southwest Theatre Company.