I have two objectives in creating this website.

The second is that readers really enjoy these photo-essays and are motivated to take action: ‘wow, how useful and encouraging, I’m going to start planning my next trip right now!’

The first is that readers enjoy these photo-essays so much they say: ‘wow, how entertaining and informative, I’m going to give this woman some money!’


Are you retired, watching your cash flow, basically, you've got more time than money? Are you an independent budget-minded traveler who welcomes adventure and are you eager to hit the road?

You can click on the *TIPS* tab above for some travel tips I've been collecting, and see my (mostly) post-retirement independent travels on the *DESTINATIONS* tab or just scroll down on this page.

I hope you find something useful and entertaining here, and
I welcome you to EMAIL ME.


Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. Seneca
What's New?!
January 2010
I was in San Francisco visiting friends so there's not so much about the tourist sites but it can be fun to see how people live.

December 2009
A deeeLightful few weeks with my daughter in Wisconsin where this California Girl gets to be in a blizzard!

November 2009
Finishing up the big Road Trip in Cambria/San Simeon reminded again how cool it is to just drive around.

October 2009
Right up the road we can Go Camping! And now later in the month...Road Trip! First, another stop-off in Las Vegas. Then we're on across the desert to Death Valley.

September 2009
A few days along the Big Sur coast and The Ranch and a quick buzz up to Viva! Las Vegas.

August 2009
I'm spending this month in Santa Monica where summer is temperate and lovely. You can scroll down a little or check the Destinations tab for Entertaining Sites Around Los Angeles. Home Sweet Home.

July 2009
Check it out, The GRAND Canyon! including a good time in Flagstaff and Sedona and many other sites in the area. Also we've got an update to The Getty Villa.

June 2009
Right now this whole website is new but most of the content has been available at www.WhereTheHeckIsMom.com. I’m going to keep that site running with all my daily-life-doings and use this site to focus on Independent Budget-Minded Travel and a Very Senior Year Abroad.




the FAR EAST (Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia)












Ca-Li-FOR-ni-A! (It's a Nation State)


















more AMERICA (Wisconsin; Seattle; Twin Cities; KC; Vegas; etc.)












Entertaining Sites Around LOS ANGELES





















CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA












American SOUTHWEST








Aloha HAWAII Mahalo!











EUROPE (Germany; Spain; Portugal; the Pyrenees; and Morocco too)











MEXICO (Guanajuato and Michoacán; Baja; the Yucatan)










NEW ZEALAND (cut short...I'm going back!)






CHINA and TIBET (yikes)









Amazing INDIA







Down SOUTH in the USofA








the EAST COAST of the US and CANADA










Bio-Pix





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