The Magic of the First TimeTravel, to me, is not just movement, it’s transformational. When you’re on the road or in a new place, you’re suddenly open in ways that everyday life rarely allows. You ask more questions, try unfamiliar foods, and talk to strangers who become fast friends. There’s a kind of electricity in the air when you’re navigating a new city or stumbling upon a hidden beach. Even if you return to the same place later, that first time is always the most vivid—the one that stays with you like a postcard in your memory.

And it’s not just about what you see—it’s about how you feel. On the road, I even dream more vividly, perhaps because I’m processing so much stimulation and beauty. There’s something powerful about displacing yourself from routine; it reminds you that life is more than task lists and deadlines.

The Remote Work RevelationSomewhere in my 30s, long before remote work became the norm, I discovered its potential and made it my mission. I wanted the freedom to live and work anywhere. Eventually, I found a fantastic job with a boss who shared that same vision. It wasn’t just about working from home; it was about designing a life. That flexibility allowed me to travel for extended periods and to live in Northern Michigan, a place known for its natural beauty but limited career options.

There’s an old saying here: “View of the Bay gets Half the Pay.” I’ve always thought that was BS. In recent years, we can no longer get a view of the bay for half the pay, the cost of living has skyrocketed. Happily, Traverse City and its surrounding area has evolved into a year-round community with full-time jobs, entrepreneurs, creatives, and dreamers like me.

Starting LaLa ProjectsWhen that dream remote job ended, I didn’t want to stop the lifestyle it afforded me. That’s when I started LaLa Projects, a design and development company focused on custom websites. It started out as, and continues to be, a remote company with team members who enjoy the remote work lifestyle. I love that I can help facilitate that for others. Over a decade later, it’s still going strong. LaLa gave me not just a career but freedom to travel more and the opportunity to plant some roots in Northern Michigan. I got married, bought a fixer-upper farmhouse in a community I love, and we recently adopted our pup, named ‘Handsome Charlie’.

Travel has become less frequent, but the itch to wander and adventure never leaves. Now my journey has begun to take new forms.

Aging, Aches, and a New Path ForwardIn my late 40s, my body started sending messages. Tendon pain from tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis reminded me that years behind a desk had taken their toll.  I also learned about a new stage in a woman’s life called perimenopause.  I needed to move, not just metaphorically, but physically.

That’s when I returned to yoga, something I’d dabbled in since college. I started small, with 15-minute classes on the Apple Fitness App, but within weeks, I found myself in local studios, craving more. Before long, I enrolled in a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program. I didn’t think I’d get in, every spot was full, but the day before it started, I got the call – someone had dropped out. I said yes without hesitation.

The training lit me up. It reconnected me with my body, creativity, and purpose. Around the same time, I began noodling on a new business idea—Wander with Direction. I wasn’t sure what shape it would take, but I knew it would combine yoga, art, and, dare I dream, more travel. I started to think of it as my “retirement business”, something to grow now and fully bloom into later.

Wander with DirectionAn Idea Gains TractionOver the last year, Wander with Direction has begun to take shape.  I started a community yoga program with the help of the supportive Lake Ann residents who attend regularly.  I’ve found my teacher voice and have been working to hone my yoga teaching skills.  I hosted my first retreat last winter, and it was magic. It felt like every skill I’d gathered over the years—design, planning, teaching, creative expression—had coalesced into a single weekend. I loved every minute of it and knew I wanted to keep going.

Then came another spark.

Turning Detours into New DirectionsFor two summers in a row, I applied to work for a local wine tour company. I wasn’t looking to run the show—just wanted a fun weekend gig to meet people and be out in the sunshine. But I didn’t get hired. Twice. Instead of taking it as rejection, I took it as redirection.

I started researching what it would take to do tours on my own. That’s when I found Atlas—a charming 1975 VW Bus that oozes character and charisma. I bought her with a smile and a sense that this was the start of something special.

The road to getting tour-ready wasn’t short. I already had a chauffeur’s license, but I needed a limousine license, livery insurance, liability waivers, a booking process, and a marketing strategy. This was no longer a punch-in, punch-out easy breezy job. This was a business.

Meet AtlasThe Next ChapterAdding boutique VW bus tours to Wander with Direction feels like the most natural progression in the world. Atlas isn’t just a vehicle; she’s a vessel for experience. Through her, I can offer unique travel experiences, rides to remember, and a return to wonder—something we all need more of.

And just like that, my journey continues. I’m still wandering, just with more direction than ever before. Today, I’m thrilled to say that Atlas is tour-ready, and I’m officially open for bookings. This isn’t just about driving from winery to winery—it’s about creating meaningful, memory-rich experiences for others, while still feeding my own wanderlusting soul.

Hop in, Let’s ride.