About Sara

Hi! My name is Sara Donnelly. As a child, I was described by my teachers as precocious, curious, and responsible. Then, as an adult, I am a planner with a strong sense of wanderlust that has only ever become more ravenous. In an effort to satisfy my love for travel, hiking, and new experiences, I am setting out on a long-term adventure around the US with my dogs, Tonto and Ranger, and my camper.

I have always wanted to travel long-term, and I recently decided to take advantage of the opportunities presented to me to make this work. My passions and hobbies include hiking, backpacking, reading, and crocheting. I am constantly seeking balance, joy, and moments in life that are inspirational. Get ready to follow this exciting journey!

About Tonto and Ranger

Woof!! Woof woof woof woof woof woof. (*jumps with excitement and joy at seeing you*) Woof!

Just kidding! Tonto is my rescue pup, because all dogs are puppies. Don’t argue with me about it. Tonto is a beagle-pointer hound mix that I rescued in Cincinnati when I lived there in 2014. He is about 10 years old and loves a good, long walk. He can have the personality of Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino when he is tired, but generally is very loving to any and all humans. Dogs are iffy, squirrels are not safe.

Ranger is a Scottish Terrier. Tonto and I found Ranger in November of 2023 when hiking. He was in a box left at a trailhead. We all got lucky that day. Ranger is about 9 months, and he barks at everything. He loves belly rubs and a good snuggle.

Travel History

Family Trips

As a child, I was very lucky to have a family that prioritized travel a couple time a year. We were/are a beach family, but my parents did a great job of incorporating educational and historic aspects to our trips. Over the year, I have traveled to the following with my family:

  • South Carolina
  • Florida
  • Virginia
  • Puerto Rico
  • Mexico
  • Aruba

Travel for work

I have a couple different jobs of the years that have allowed for travel to conferences that has taken me to some fun cities!

  • Rapid City, SD
  • Hot Springs, AR
  • San Fransisco, CA
  • Tampa Bay, FL
  • Portland, OR
  • Savannah, GA
  • St. Louis, MO

Solo Travel

My first solo travel experience came when I was just 12 years old. My best friends in middle school invited me to visit her family in Destin, FL for a couple weeks over the summer. I flew down on my own with no issues. Coming home was another story. Flights was delayed, then cancelled.

I ended up in a room with a bunch of other unaccompanied minors that had a wall of windows on the runway level while is was monsooning outside, and Jurassic Park playing on repeat. I still cannot watch that movie without severe flashbacks, but I caught the travel bug and I haven’t looked back since.

I have since travelled to:

  • Dublin, Ireland
  • London, England (during the Diamond Jubilee!)
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Paris, France

Check out photos from those trips!

Home

Whether it was childhood moves, university experiences, or moves for jobs, I have lived all over the Midwest. There is just something about the genuine Midwest niceness, corn fields, and medium-sized cities that border on suburbs. It’s where my family is; it’s what feels like home.

Shout out to my former hometowns:

  • Youngstown, OH
  • Fort Wayne, IN
  • Chicago, IL
  • Lawrence, KS
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Cleveland, OH

But… why?

Because I will never get this time back and I want to make the most of it. I don’t want to wait until retirement to do the things I want to go.

Because I seek peace, calm, and, balance.

Because choosing happiness is important to me, and I have zero desire to regret my decisions in life.

Because I can. I recognize my privilege, so I hope that this will help others choose happiness. Whatever that may be.