About
okie.
SOLO road trip fiend. hell yes there’s a difference.
flyfisherman.
ditched 21 successful years in the financial services industry (CPA and CFP, launched Bank of Jackson Holeβs Trust Dept), to attempt a life of freelance writing. can write more about a fly on my arm than the sweeping beauty of some cheesy tropical sunset. figured that was a sign. tough haul. broke. no ego remains.
hard earned every road trip badge of honor ( ‘horror’ as one reader put it) but most triumphant fist pump was technical mountain summit, September 2009 of Grand Teton (rated 5.6). words here about that would be a waste of time, so blog posts: Mountain Climb. for the quick and dirty: Tulsa World article.

favorite self portrait. taken in a cheap motel room with no heat after a long day of driving. South Dakota.
ss (superfluous stuff): married. one child, a son and between husband and i, a large extended family. hair long and blonde until chopped and died chocolate for 4 week backpacking adventure to China. news flash, i didn’t look Chinese. fan of the Old West.
rs (relevant stuff):
#1 on my way to Jackson Hole to visit a friend. upon landing in Salt Lake City discover i’ve $5 cash and no debit card. cannot call my husband. if he knew he’d feel terrible then he’d kill me. doing the run walk with phone pressed to ear to hear Am Ex say i can get cash at an ATM, i become vaguely aware of a full sensation down there. during a lull in the panicked conversation, the idea lobs that i sat on my tail bone in a way on the plane that numbed the nether region and the feeling was just returning. blunder off the moving sidewalk and belly up to an ATM. wrenching the backpack off i discover during the quick paced walk the friction of my legs had caused both ends of the long loosely woven scarf to lodge completely and firmly up between my legs. nice.
#3 land at a connecting airport. i stop at the first restroom. upon entering it appeared empty (oh happy day) and I duck quickly into a stall. i finally exit the stall, walk around a sort of dividing wall to the bank of sinks, begin washing my hands, look up to see men standing on both sides of me doing the same. momentarily confused until in the mirror I catch a glimpse of the backside of several men and corresponding row of urinals now directly behind me. with dripping hands, avoiding eye contact (but seeing amused grins), i run walk out.
Awesome stories… Ever think about getting a westfalia for your road trips? They even made them in 4wd.
Comment by WTR — May 20, 2012 @ 2:14 am
[…] found this picture from Solo Road Trip and was immediately so happy that this happened to someone […]
Pingback by It’s a Cold One, Mr Grinch! — February 24, 2012 @ 8:30 pm
Great Blog.
I am totally jealous. I too STILL stuck in my Wall Street job been here for 20 years working for large hedge funds and quite jealous that you broke out.
Keep up the good work you give some of us a glimmer of hope.
Mark
Comment by Mark Smith in Hedge fund Land (CT) — February 14, 2012 @ 9:05 pm
I love the adventures you share here but your mis-adventures with the men’s room and lipbalm are a hoot!
Comment by Donna — May 26, 2011 @ 8:42 pm
nice blog … i enjoy reading your posts… All the best with ur freelance writing
Comment by Oliver — May 7, 2011 @ 1:14 am
thank you Bro for that awesome compliment! I love you!
Comment by Tammie — February 13, 2011 @ 1:20 pm
Tam, this is one of the most beautiful pictures I’ve ever seen of you. Really. Stunning! love you, your bro.
Comment by james — February 2, 2011 @ 10:44 am
I LOVE YOUR BLOG..! Inspiring.. I’ve been to over 40 states across America.. Lived in Los Angeles, the mid west/great lakes and now Florida.. Put a fun new venture together encompassing it all here in Florida. I am in the process of shedding the office, however incorporating it into this new biz that takes me OUT of the office… but the computer… well it’s a love hate relationship π Happy trails!
b
Comment by Brian — December 4, 2010 @ 11:45 am
Tammy- your blog was love at first site. I admire you so much for leaving your ‘real world job’ to go and live your life. It feels so good to see someone who is so happy (even after admitting its not all fun and games) after taking that giant leap.
I’m about to do the same thing in 6 months. I’m leaving my advertising job – everyone says i’m a ‘lunatic’ for leaving in the middle of an economic crisis – but I say let someone else who actually wants this life take it! I’m leaving my spot in this 9-5 line and letting the road take me where I belong. I see myself so much in you and I hope my journey brings me as much enlightenment as yours and takes me to even HALF the places you have been. I wish i had the guts to chop my long blonde hair off, maybe this trip will change that π Keep up the amazing posts and photos and check out my blog I’ll be keeping about my own journey.
your hilarious and awe inspiring-
~Lc
Comment by LC — August 24, 2010 @ 8:17 pm
Oh God, I love you Tammy.
You are hilariously human and stubborn and so happy to be with. If you can laugh at yourself and I can laugh at myself and we can both laugh together, it has to be a fun day
peace an love
jagdish
Comment by jagdish — June 25, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
loved your stories hope u do a book keep your sence of humour be careful and stay safe watch who is around you, be sure u make contack with a good interpreter in china or any foriegn country before u go,always check in with the american embasy in any country for your own protection i have traveled extensively and still dojust pasiing on some safety tips to u always make sure your shot profile is up to date also and carry anti diarea pills π
take plenty of vidios for documentary and mail them every day dont hold them from the american embasy if u are able to get to it or mail them to the american embassy put hold on envelope for pickup make sure your name is on the outside
Comment by whitefire — January 31, 2010 @ 12:22 am
loved your stories hope u do a book keep your sence of humour be careful and stay safe watch who is around you, be sure u make contack with a good interpreter in china or any foriegn country before u go,always check in with the american embasy in any country for your own protection i have traveled extensively and still dojust pasiing on some safety tips to u always make sure your shot profile is up to date also and carry anti diarea pills π
take plenty of vidios for documentary and mail them every day dont hold them from the american embasy if u are able to get to it or mail them to the american embassy put hold on envelope for pickup maqke sure your name is on the outside
Comment by whitefire — January 31, 2010 @ 12:22 am
Bill Bryson with your underwear on your head – move over – Tammie is on here way:-)
Comment by Fida — October 14, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
OH, I can totally relate to your stories! We have to meet some day!
Sarah π
Comment by Sarah Mayhew — May 3, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
Great site! I too like to just hit the open road, right now though I am grounded π But it is all for a good cause. One day I want to backpack through Ireland!
Keep up the great work!
Patrick
Comment by Patrick — April 30, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
Love your site. Clicked on it out of curiosity and it was well worth traveling down this unknown road. I am taking a three week solo to the Netherlands to paint. I will definitely keep a journal after reading your pages, so I can share the trip and remember (I’m 62 and my brain sucks ((or has been sucked out))) what I did. I don’t have places to stay for two weeks of it and you give me courage to “wing it”.
Thanks
Comment by Marilyn Pinaud — April 19, 2009 @ 8:37 am
Just wanted you to know I still keep you in my prayers this week during your time of reflecting on life it’s self. The past is gone and the future is not here . Today we live. Make it a great week my new friend.
Best regards,
Jeff
Comment by Jeffrey Akerson — April 18, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
Ran across you by accident…but then there really are no accidents are there?
I took my first (and ONLY thus far) trip to China in November of ’08. I’d heard the toilet stories and for the first few days I approached all restrooms like I was sneaking up on them. Slowly. Warily. And for the first few days I would find what I was used to. I was lulled into a safe sense of security maybe. Then, when I least expected it, I walked in and found what I’d been expecting, and yes, dreading. The Chinese toilet. I looked around like I was expecting to see someone else there. As if. And then? Well I lost my Chinese toilet virginity right there somewhere on the road between Hangzhou & Ningbo. I even have a photo to commemorate the event.
Safe travels to you. I look forward to reading more stories.
Comment by Deborah Fetherland — April 18, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
Tammy,
Love this site! Your pictures are so amazing and your stories are so enjoyable. (I have quite a few yet to read) The tail one is so funny!!!!
You’re an inspiration!!!! So happy to have come across you on FB!!!
Take care
Comment by Connie — April 11, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
Love your stories and your pictures…I know know where your son got his sense of humor.
Comment by Peggy — April 9, 2009 @ 9:42 am
You have inspired me. I have wanted to run away from home for years, but I was afraid of being alone out there. I am a big girl and all my kids are grown I have no reason not to. I really admire you, also envy you would be a good word as well.
I am a writer and and artist what is stopping me other than my classic good girl upbringing. Ah let’s just shed that shit and make that move!
I have just become your number one fan! thanks
Greta
Comment by Greta — April 8, 2009 @ 11:02 pm
A restroom is a restroom, toilet is a toilet…I always say. Too funny!
Comment by Tina of Pfeiffer Photos — April 3, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
I LOVE IT! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Lil Kampf — April 2, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
I REALLY enjoyed your stories!!!! But the tail story is the BEST!!!! LOL
Comment by Bogaugon — March 5, 2009 @ 7:38 am
Great stories and beautiful pictures. Love you!
Comment by Sara P — November 8, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
Don’t wander to far from the mountains of WV. Hope to see you soon.
Comment by Granny D — November 8, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
I suspect I won’t see the story about the postman that called the cops! Ha, I crack myself up.
Comment by someone or am I somebody — November 7, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
What lovely tales. They seem a bit like something I would do.
Comment by Sara — November 7, 2008 @ 8:43 am
I think I remember trying to teach you to make best of any situation. Gee…never knew it would entail a tail!!! LOL
Comment by Clay Mama — October 28, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
You are so cute! These airport stories make me smile. We all have them. You’re just bold enough to print them. You go girl!
Comment by Pops — October 28, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Do you have some immense desire to have strange things happen to you at Airports? I don’t remember this little bit about you, however, I know who the friend is your visiting with your glamorous tail. All I can say-Cafe Ole’. I don’t need to say anything else. You know we are the blond sisters.
Comment by Linda — October 27, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
And to think I had a hand in raising you, but I am so glad I did. (LOVE YOU)
Comment by Phyllis — October 27, 2008 @ 9:05 am
Hey- This is soo funny! I still have the photo of you and the tail you sent years ago! Love it. Appreciate reading this page. I’ll check out the rest later on and let you know my reaction/response.
Lindsay
Comment by Lindsay — October 24, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Oh my goodness! THE TAIL!!! π
Comment by Joie Sherman — October 23, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Only you! SoloRoadTrip…..I hadn’t read these!!! How come these words seem to come to mind ‘but she’s just so Cute’. Enjoyed them! thanks.
Comment by Lisa Pierce — October 20, 2008 @ 9:24 pm