Chefchaouen, Morocco

From Global Nomads to Growing Roots: Our Next Big Adventure

For nearly a decade, Trin and I have lived as full-time nomads, immersing ourselves in the rhythms of life across every continent.
We’ve wandered through the jungles of South America, camped along Australia’s rugged shores, lost ourselves in the charm of European alleyways, and soaked in the deep histories of Asia and Africa. We explored our 50th USA state and even made it to Antarctica — a frozen frontier that still feels surreal.

Our journey has been filled with awe-inspiring natural beauty and deep cultural immersion. It has been an education no degree could ever replicate.

Along the way, we’ve built lifelong friendships, embraced countless cultures, and awakened each morning to a new rhythm—whether in a jungle bungalow, a mountaintop cabin, or a bustling city Airbnb.

But after nine incredible years of living as digital nomads, a monumental life change is on the horizon.

Bonnie and Trin with their backpacks
These are the packs we started with and stuck with us during our entire journey. The tote bag in the center carried groceries or lunch, whichever we needed at the time.

We’re Coming Home — Sort Of

Later this year, we’ll be trading in our backpacks for a permanent home address. We’re putting down roots in Phoenix, Arizona. Although we have loved every year on the open road, we’re filled with excitement for what’s ahead.

There’s something incredibly grounding about knowing we’ll soon have our own refrigerator, our own bed, and—dare I say it—a routine again. After years of living flexibly, this feels like a whole new kind of adventure: the journey of building a home that stays in one place.

Lil Beaut in the Outback
Lil Beaut, our home while in Australia, parked in the Outback.

New Chapters: Family, Creativity, and Care

As we settle into our Phoenix home, we’ll be welcoming a very special housemate—Trin’s mother, who will be living with us full-time. We’re honored to care for her during this next phase of life, and we’re designing our space with her comfort and joy in mind.

On a personal note, this move also marks a new space for my creative life. With more stability and dedicated space, I’ll be focusing even more on my passion: writing. I’m very excited about having a desk and large monitor!

This year, I published my first book, The Rhythm of Everything: A Journey Through Nature, Science, and Faith, and the response has been deeply encouraging. As we shift into this next season, I look forward to writing more books and diving deeper into the stories that have been waiting patiently inside me.

Check out this trailer for my latest book!

Reflecting on the Journey, Embracing What’s Ahead

Going from global nomads to Phoenix homeowners is, without a doubt, a massive shift. But if there’s one thing this lifestyle has taught us, it’s how to embrace change with open arms and curious hearts.

As we begin the process of filling a home instead of packing a backpack, we carry with us not only photos and stories—but the lessons, resilience, and deep gratitude that a life of travel has taught us.

Trin on the clifftop of Malham, UK
Malham, UK

Our Dream

For now, we’ll be moving into a small condo we’ve owned in Scottsdale, which we’ve been renting out since 2016. It will be our first real nest for almost a decade. We plan to renovate it, then either rent or sell it in order to find a slightly larger space.

My dream? To have a home spacious enough to welcome friends from around the world, to offer them a cozy place to stay and time to reconnect.

I can’t wait to have a space for all our friends to come visit!!

Your Suggestions Please!

We’re setting up a home from scratch. That means buying furniture, tools, and household essentials for the first time in years! I’d love your suggestions:

  • Do you have a favorite vacuum cleaner or cleaning tool/supply (preferably low-tox or chemical-free)?
  • Have you discovered that perfect mattress you can’t stop recommending?
  • What are your must-have home items that bring you joy, ease, or comfort?

Let me know in the comments—I’m all ears!

Bonnie in front of blue door number 43

Thanks for being part of this wild and beautiful journey. Whether you’ve followed us from the beginning or are just now joining, I’m so grateful you’re here as we step into this exciting new chapter. 💛

Note: Feature image for this post was taken in Chefchaouen, Morocco.

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13 thoughts on “From Global Nomads to Growing Roots: Our Next Big Adventure”

    1. Hi Aidigita, I really don’t know. For the last decade we have decided our next steps largely as we go. Many keep asking us if we are getting a “permanent home.” I always respond that nothing is permanent. We have loved this slow travel style, it’s not out of the question in the future, but would probably look different as we age if we embarked on nomad-ism again.

  1. Hi – congrats on making such a big life decision. Sounds like you have a solid plan and like every journey, you’ll figure it out as it happens. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog over the years, as we’ve traveled to some of the same places as you, but more importantly, you’ve traveled to MANY places yet on our list. I have referred back to your notes a few times when searching for a new adventure.
    As for any suggestions for your new home, I would recommend Blueland.com as a source for all types of soaps and cleaners around the house (all plastic free!). I love their laundry tablets. Another site I like is MarleysMonsters.com – another way to help the planet with their products. And finally, WhoGivesACrap.com is my favorite and only place to buy toilet paper.

    Best of luck to you on your next journey and I look forward to seeing your name on the NYT’s best seller list soon!
    Lisa

    1. Hi Lisa, Thank you for your beautiful note and for the eco-friendly home suggestions!! How can one not love a company that so appropriately names their TP brand Who Gives A Crap? 😂 That’s awesome. I’ll definitely check out all of these.

      Your encouragement (especially that NYT bestseller line 🥹🙏) means more than you know. Wishing you continued inspiration in your travels—and let me know when you check one of those still-on-the-list places off!

      Happy Travels!!

    1. I’ll share our new address once it’s confirmed—it probably won’t be available until November! As for a phone number, we’re still debating whether we need one. It’s been so long since we’ve had a monthly phone bill, and VOIP has worked well enough for us so far. But if we do decide to get a cell number, I’ll definitely let you know! 😊

  2. Wishing you both a lovely, wonderful, and exciting new journey!!
    As for advice, I do love my Dyson vacuum cleaner but I miss the Roomba!
    Being away from USA for a while I can’t recommend mattresses. As for comfort a good mug and tea pot is essential!
    Have fun guys! Love you both!
    PS: I’ll certainly be visiting in the coming years!
    Xoxo

    1. Hi Andrea, I’ve heard great things about the Dyson and will check into it. I also want something quiet, hopefully they have a quiet model. My sister-in-law has a Rumba, my primary memory of it is when her dog had diarrhea at night and the Rumba spread it across the entire first floor. AHH!! I can’t agree with you on a good mug! That’s been top of the list to have a great cool big mug. Love you too and looking forward to your visit!

  3. Bonnie, Trin, I wish you every joy and every success in this new chapter. A reminder for me that change is the only thing that is really certain. A friend and I may be driving cross country from NYC to San Diego in early September. May I look you up? It would be great to have a beer and catch up!

    1. We would absolutely love to host you and your friend, but we will still be in Europe till October and our place will not be available till November. If it is delayed at all let us know it would be so much fun to catch up on this side of the pond.

  4. arsbenemoriendi

    hey, i’m glad to hear you’re settling down. pilgrimage is great but so is home.
    as for tips, i had an american nurse friend who said her best purchase of her life was a super expensive mattress from NASA (or some company that makes something or other for nasa).
    as for decorations, my heart and soul belong to Hobby Lobby <3
    as for houses in AZ, i believe the best, most environmentally-friendly, cost effective house would be an adobe house with thick walls (cool in summer, warm in winter). i'd say go for adobe/tiles/rocks and such. i think an adobe house with one wall/side into a rock would be awesome.
    for garden i'd just leave/make it as the environment around but i'd personally make a shaded terrace with plenty of pots with colored flowers, to remind you of Europe <3
    …and get a dog. i just did, 3 weeks ago, and i swear i never could have imagined the amazingness of it. he's some kind of a bichon/maltese mutt that is the most loving, relaxing and delightful thing ever. I do recommend small dogs cause they're so much easier to handle and bichons/malteses have wonderful, loving personalities. even my cat fell in love (and she hates everyone and everything).

    and i'd personally go for a one-storey house but with a loft and I'd make the loft an office and put pictures from your travels all over the place. And maybe a french door leading to an upstairs (not roofed) terrace overlooking those incredible AZ sunsets.

    AAAAh, the possibilities!!!
    whatever you do, i'm sure it'll ba amaaaaaazing!!!!

    Blessings to you both,

    Ioana
    PS replying to your email or the bonnie address didn't work, for some reason…

    1. Hi Ioana, Thank you for letting me know about the email issue. That was my mistake and it is now fixed. I think the NASA mattress you are referring to is the Tempur-Pedic? I’ve heard amazing things about them as well.

      We house sat in Colombia to take care of a bichon/maltese and I fell in love with her. She was so smart and adorable. Dogs really are a great companion I’m sure yours will bring you much joy.

      Thank you for all the suggestions–yes so many possibilities!!

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