Wander Woman

The dream began in 1995 with a Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia and its original owner—my mother-in-law, whose memory still makes me smile. She loved the freedom of the open road: visiting family, exploring new places, and choosing campgrounds from her trusty Woodall’s Campground Directory.

Over the next three decades, that dream changed shape again and again. It stretched, shrank, and morphed as life moved along, turning into questions I kept coming back to—how I would travel, why I would do it, and what the reality might actually look like. Maybe something like this image?

So… Why a Blog?

I’ve kept a journal for years—to remember big moments like the birth of my children, trips I’ve taken, and to sort through whatever happens to be rattling around in my head.

In my last job before retiring, I managed a blog and wrote posts both as a ghostwriter and under my byline. Over time, I found myself liking the writing more than I expected. A blog feels like a natural way to keep friends and family up to date on my travels without repeating the same stories over and over. I enjoy telling stories, and I do have a bit of dramatic flair and questionable comedic timing—but now it all lives right here.

My DIY Mini Van

I love my little van. It’s easy to drive, and with the help of #2 son, we built a simple bedroom on wheels. The rest of the “camper” mostly lives outside, with the recent addition of a car tent—an outer room with screens. That addition turned out to be very important on my maiden voyage. More on that later… especially the no-see-ums.

I’ve named her Goldilocks—because she’s gold in color and just right.

So that’s where things begin: one long-held dream, one small van, and me finally deciding to stop imagining and start moving. I don’t have it all figured out yet, but that’s part of the fun.

If you’re curious how this unfolds, I hope you’ll come back and wander along with me. Goldilocks and I have a lot to learn, plenty to laugh about, and who knows what kinds of stories are waiting down the road.

Stay tuned. The next chapter should be interesting.