Courage does not always roar, sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' — Mary Anne Radmacher
October’s Experience 2026
European café culture is a major fit for us! — Photo by Wendy Stieg
Not a European café, but it will do. Photo by Wendy Stieg
My Work Has Impact in My Own Life
Paul and I have talked about going to Europe and chasing La Vuelta a España, Le Tour de France, and Il Giro d’Italia. They have just released the starting and finishing locations for the 2027 La Vuelta, and that got our wheels spinning.
These ideas are part of a larger plan to radically overhaul our lives. We have both worked incredibly hard over our lives, and want that to amount to something. Something good. Retirement. The ability to travel, to have ikigai. A purpose. Our purpose is to learn new languages, develop new skills, and become part of new communities. We both think of this as our frontier. In other words, we are not done in life yet. We are just getting started, and age has nothing to do with it.
Somewhere in the Messy Middle, Still
I have been writing the Best of Both Worlds Blog for two years. Thinking about this makes me realize that actually writing a blog is so much different than what I thought it was going to be. I know, thank you, Captain Obvious! But when I really think about it, it’s still pretty stunning. Here is what I thought it would be: me, sitting in a café somewhere, preferably in Europe, with my laptop, a fresh latte, and writing the next blog post. What I didn’t really grasp at the time was the fact that you have to make the blog a business. Along with that fun little picture of me casually writing in a café and drinking a latte, I also thought I would be writing from having already done something. There I am with my authority hat on, telling everyone how we did it and how you should do it.
The funny thing is, if I had kept waiting until we had actually DONE something, my blog would not really have started yet. My friend Bill has great patience. He graciously listens while Paul and I dream out loud. Bill is probably the most positive person I know, too. Something Paul and I are not always. Us? Patient? Uhh no. Positive? Sometimes! My friends Paula and Laurie are equally positive, as they too have listened patiently to my dreams. I confess, the three of us have a great girls’ text group where we send each other memes, positive phrases, and occasional snarky cartoons every morning.
Bill, Paula, and Laurie have been among our biggest cheerleaders as we work through the myriad of things we have to do to edge closer to fulfilling our dream. We’re fortunate to have so many people rooting for us along the way. Bill used to tell me I needed to be documenting this journey. Turns out, that was pretty good advice. And the blog was born.
In October’s Muse, I wrote about the importance of finding inspiration and continuing to imagine what might be possible, even when life doesn't look quite the way we expected.
My ongoing Life Notes Series, which encompasses The Muse, The Blueprint, and The Experience, is my direct way of documenting this journey. When you decide to buck the system, stop believing conventional wisdom, and decide to live your life on your own terms, you do create a challenge for yourself. But you also make a decision to no longer believe “them.” When I think about “them,” I think about conventional wisdom as well as those voices in my head telling me what I “should” do. I stopped doing “should.” I won’t stay in a disrespectful job. I won’t follow the rules when they don’t result in positive impacts in my life. I won’t listen to people whose morals, ethics, and goals don’t align with mine. I have finally learned to trust my instincts. This has a lot to do with trusting myself in my writing. I have embraced my own creativity and stopped worrying about “them.”
What About Writing?
As it happens, I have begun pitching ideas for articles to various publications. I have had some rejections, but after 1,000 rejections for jobs, I no longer care about rejections in general. I am waiting to hear back from a few publications that have indicated a positive response, and a few others have asked me to write for them. I have secured one article assignment for the month of October as of today, and have an interview scheduled.
I also write for a client who is a realtor in Cortez. She has hired me to run her blog, write her content, and help support the distribution of her content and her newsletter. We have created a mini magazine about Southwestern Colorado for her blog, something I have not really seen done by a realtor. Together we make a great team, and we are both learning new things as we move forward with her website. Thank you, Carolyn, for trusting me! I love this journey we are on!
Then I was asked if a few of my articles could be posted in a publication on Medium. I have been writing for both Medium and Substack, which are two different, amazing experiences. I find cheerleaders for my work on those platforms as well.
When I look at it, not a bad start for someone who has been writing all of her life but who has never put her work out there for public scrutiny. This experience has given me a very bold feeling in terms of what I can actually accomplish through writing.
Home Sweet Home for a few weeks: Van Life via Siesta Campervans. Photo by Wendy Stieg
Yesterday, we started seriously discussing what it would take for us to chase the tour. After that conversation, I started telling Paul about all the ways I'm currently monetizing my blog, and something clicked. So we looked at Siesta Campervans’ website to see if they offered any kind of affiliate program for creators. We found something better! It turns out they have a collaboration program for content creators.
We looked into it, finding out that we qualify based on their criteria. With the wind at my back and the sails full, I applied. I didn’t even flinch, and gave them a pitch for the exchange. Hopefully it will work out! If it does, it will become part of us creating content for them and ourselves, and documenting it on Instagram, YouTube, and possibly TikTok. And of course, the Best of Both Worlds Blog.
While we'll be busy chasing La Vuelta across Spain, your own Spanish adventure might look very different. If you're planning a trip to Spain, Klook offers tours, attractions, and experiences worth exploring along the way.
Camping at the Billy Goat Hop Farm, Montrose, Colorado. Good coffee is still a must. Photo by Wendy Stieg
Living Through Challenges Has Strengthened Our Resolve
Paul and I went through a very tough time in the Four Corners region. We haven’t tried to hide it or pretend it didn’t happen. Instead, it is part of us, just like other events in our lives. Isn’t it interesting how perspective can start to change how you think about something? We left Cortez and moved to Montrose in May of 2026. Paul had found a job, and part of the transition for him was staying at the Billy Goat Hop Farm. Part of the transition for me was trying a lot of new things and continuing my blog. His job has turned out to be a good fit for him, and I just found a job. I start tomorrow.
My favorite jobs of all time were back in the days when I was teaching skiing. It was amazing. I think my favorite thing was the camaraderie among my fellow employees, many of whom are still dear friends of mine. I also loved the outdoors and how it really felt like a family. I am certain my new job at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is on the right track. My new boss, who interviewed me, said something amazing before the interview even started. “Welcome to our home.” To which he added, “Well, our home away from home.”
Earlier this summer, I wrote The Next There, about letting go of the idea that the next job or accomplishment would finally get me where I wanted to be. A few months later, I'm beginning to understand what building that next chapter actually looks like.
What surprises me most is the realization that maybe all of that challenge and strife was not something I could have avoided. And maybe I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel like I have landed. Stay tuned for more of the adventure!