E2C_Travel

Not all travel is into the great unknown... some takes you 'home', to your people. I found my roots again after the pandemic with an aluminum love child named Bella and the 50 aunts and uncles who just can't seem to get enough of her. The Airstream community took me completely by surprise, but it's not the campers that create the connection -- it's the love of outdoors and nature, working hard to prepare an obscenely over-the-top family meal "just because", and genuine affinity for the stories that brought each of us here.

Any experience where you have an opportunity to learn the stories of others, try new foods, see how people live differently - each of those moments changes your life just a little. If you're lucky, your worldview becomes a patchwork of all those experiences. Mine has.

#mycuprunnethover

ABOUT ME

Hello Peeps.
This is my Why.

Part journal, part treasure map, part petri dish of thoughts about the future – this website is the synthesis of years of informal (and informed) study of the human condition… coupled with an unyielding need to explore every old tree trunk, breathe in as many back alley spice markets as I can find, admire the monarchs in every protected estuary along the coast, and climb the hillsides on gas-powered mules those few precious days the poppies raise their gorgeous orange faces to the sun. I'll do it all - every single mile - while my hands can still manage the camera.

The more time passes, the more I understand Thoreau's beloved Walden and his need to "live deep and suck out all the marrow of life." With Bella and an increasingly more amazing collection of people in my life... my physical footprint has been smaller these past few pandemic-impacted years, but my "heart-print" has never experienced more reach.  To those who are with me, you are everything to me.  To those who will join our treasure hunt, I promise we're going to see the world... and see it differently, #together.

   

E2C_Connection

So many amazing people come into my life and teach me unexpected things. They make my life fuller and more interesting in more ways than I imagined. These connections are what drive me - they’re my secret sauce, my signature strength. Every success in my life is, quite simply, based on my love of people and bringing people together to do wonderful things.

This summer I joined the Board of a publishing company that enables people to publish their personal stories online (here’s mine if you’re curious: Tonya's Cues & Views). Working with this commitment, I’m even more convinced of the importance of sharing our journey to connect with others. I see firsthand the difference connections make when people recognize how much we are alike… not different. With that as my goal, I look forward to sharing my journey and story - sharing my connections and creating new ones on the way. Exploring2Connect. Join me.

#onwardandupward

E2C_Bella

Bella’s Cards at Tonya’s Happy Place

The Ranch at San Ardo 43 Ranch, owned by friends Cindy & Greg Traynor. I first visited this 8,000-acre ranch with Bella in March 2021 as a guest of their Harvest Host property. Eight months later, I brought 15 Airstream…

E2C_FutureofWork

Condi & Madeleine

A true lifetime highlight… The world is not the same with RBG and Secretary Albright no longer here. They left a legacy – and a blueprint for forward momentum. We have plenty to keep us busy.

E2C_FutureofWork

Everyone is in this Together

Anxiety is crushing… it is also highly contagious. So is enthusiasm and opportunity. Many chose the latter through the pandemic, despite terrible circumstances and insurmountable uncertainty. As the next wave comes through, for those of us who can choose enthusiasm…

E2C_Connection, E2C_Travel

My Happy Place

The hills were alive… and a sea of orange. And Cindy and I sped over the mountain ranges without a care. The world was in turmoil. We didn’t know if Ukraine would make it through another month (they did, they…

E2C_Bella

Bella hosts.

Winter NorCal Airstream retreat at Pinnacles National Park. Not a bad job. Bella’s friends all pitched in and we had a great time hosting the Friday night Happy Hour. Family Dinner on Saturday night also did not disappoint and is…

Close