Meet our Family

We’re a normal middle-class family with a dream to travel. We got a taste of adventure in 2019 with trips to Seattle, Aruba, DC and the USVI. Our vision of a summer sabbatical grew into years as we eliminated our debt and snowballed savings through the pandemic. Now, after the longest marshmallow test known to man, we’re ready to jump. We have acquired all the things, sorted all the things, packed all the things, and sold all the things. Our belongings fit into backpacks and a broom closet – and that is so FREEING! We’re currently plotting a lap around the globe from Mexico to Singapore, Spain to Australia.     

DJ is our visionary. He planted the wanderlust seed and tended it to harvest. His special skills include budget wizardry, IT genius, and driving on treacherous roads (while his wife quietly soothes a panic attack). He channels calm from the heavens! You’ll find DJ snorkeling off the coast, sailing, or enjoying the peace & quiet. But he has bad karma with red lights and security checkpoints. He is most looking forward to exploring different cultures.

Martha is our logistics machine, aspiring poet, & explorer (inside & out). She prefers beach picnics to fine dining, hot weather to cold, shorts to dresses, and margaritas to wine. Martha is most curious about the personal impact & character evolution to come. How will this experience change us, individually & as a family? She’s our family group therapist & packing queen. But she gets hangry & emotional if things get too rocky. She is most looking forward to protecting baby sea turtles as they make their way to the ocean. 

Martha & DJ met on a blind date and the rest is history. The crew grew to 4 with the addition of our two brave, articulate, fun-loving daughters. They poured gasoline on the flame of excitement and made huge sacrifices themselves to make this possible. (If I’m making a huge parenting blunder, I’m really sorry…and your therapy is on me.)

Addie is 10 years old. She’s our logical, dedicated, creative first born. You’ll find her negotiating a bargain at market or making friends (with humans or animals). Hammocks, gymnastics, & giraffes have a special place in her heart. She’s an aspiring bakery entrepreneur, so stay tuned as she launches Rookie Cookie at our yard sale. But she’s our family’s lightest sleeper. She is most looking forward to trying new foods & a steak on every continent. Petting a kangaroo is a close second.

Kate is 8 years old. She leaks joy! Our snuggly, emotionally entuned, aspiring artist is ready to take the world by storm. She’ll never tire of asking Siri to tell knock knock jokes and she finds personal triumph in reading a novel in under 12 hours. She has (rightfully) been awarded Most Adventurous and can sleep on any airplane, anywhere (even through take-off and landing!) But she’s also our family’s pickiest eater. She’s most looking forward to hotel pillows (seriously, kid!)

    “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow”    – Anita Desa