Welcome to our Journey!
We’ve had such a strong (sometimes positive, sometimes questionable) response to our “Nomad Year” that we figured—why not chronicle the whole adventure? Hopefully, you’ll find travel inspiration – or, at the very least, a fun read to curl up on the couch with.
Reactions to our Crazy Adventure
The Dreamers: “I’d pack up right now and join you if I could!” They’re ready to sell the house, burn the calendar, and never look back.
The Head-Scratchers: “Wait, you sleep on other people’s pillows? Voluntarily? That’s… brave.” These folks are with us in spirit—comfortably nestled in their own beds with their own pillowcases, thank you very much.
The Worriers: “You’re going where?! Is that safe?” Clearly worried about the Contras and Sandanistas from 1985. For them, this blog is basically a wellness check. Yes, we’re alive. No, we’re not drinking the water. Yes, we have sunscreen.
How We Made It Work:
First off, we’re proper empty nesters, with no signs of the kids boomeranging, which means no more lacrosse games to attend, no curfews to enforce, and no one complaining that there’s nothing in the fridge but wine and oat milk.
Secondly, we rented out our dream home—the one that took three soul-crushing years to remodel (it’s practically a Four Seasons resort now, so naturally, we left).
Finally, Doug’s work is mostly location-agnostic and he is possibly the most adaptable human on Earth. So as long as there’s Wi-Fi, something to construct a desk out of, and the time zone works, we’re good.
Why We Made It Work:
Wanderlust plays a role. We’ve always been fascinated by how exploring new places can change your perspective and make you a better person at home and a better citizen of the world.
But most of our travel has been frantic—trying to cram every museum, meal, and moment into one chaotic week. The idea of doing something a bit more immersive is seductive and is something we’ve thought about for a while.
There was the phase where we wanted to follow in Stanley Tucci’s footsteps and eat our way through Italy. There was the phase where we planned to tow an airstream behind our Rivian, and hit every national park. But these ideas are better done when there are no Zoom calls to log into, so will be tabled for a future date.
Stalking may or may not be involved. We may be slightly following the Swailey children, who have left home and, for a hot minute, are all in one place. So naturally, our logic is – shouldn’t we be there too? At least for part of the time.
And then there’s the Life Reset. There’s that sneaky way grief and loss reprogram your DNA. Suddenly, what once seemed critical just… doesn’t. So why not do something purely for the hell of it?
Why Blog?
For one thing, we wanted a better answer for Charlotte when people asked that lovely question: “And what do you do for work?” For years, the answer has been, “Nothing that earns me a paycheck.” But now, she can proudly say, “I’m a writer.” Okay fine, “I’m a writer… nothing that earns me a paycheck.”
But really, we’re here to share our stories – hopefully to inspire, or at the very least, entertain you.
What You’ll Find Here:
Our blog contains our personal stories about how we pulled this off, what we’ve learned, and how it feels to actually settle in a place instead of just breezing through.
We will also provide detailed lists of the best eats, drinks, and experiences wherever we go—because if there’s a ridiculous dumpling spot, you deserve to know about it.
We love the idea of consuming media that is meaningful in a market, so we will share media picks– books, shows, and music, that either capture the vibe of the place or just keep us company while we are there.
We are focusing on the longer Stays, but we will also cover the shorter Trips. We’ve put years of research into side trips, and we’re more than happy to share itineraries, reviews, and tips to shape your next adventure.
So whether you’re a dreamer, a head-scratcher, or a worrier. Welcome aboard, we’re pleased to have you along for the ride. First stop: Amsterdam! Happy reading!