Many of my guests ask how a girl from London ended up running a bed and breakfast in Olema.  It came about after years of traveling around the world.  Throughout that time I saw many wonderful sights but the captivating beauty of Marin pulled me back.  After a decade dedicating my life to my wanderlust I hung my backpack in the attic and now enjoy hearing and sharing travel tales over breakfast.

As I embarked on my journey from London to Sydney in 1990 I thought I would return with a camera full of amazing photos and a mind filled with memories.  Although this happened what else occurred changed my life.  It made me realize that the world was changing rapidly and with improved communication, many cultures would vanish forever as countries raced to embrace western technology and urban living. I made a commitment to see the world before everywhere reminded me of home.

As I traversed Asia never again would I take for granted the freedom I have as a woman to go to school and University, have a career, to travel independently, have a family or not.  The women I met did not have those options.  They would live their life as their grandmothers and mothers had.  They would consider themselves lucky if they were treated kindly and stay in good health.

That trip led me to another a year later in South America where I crossed the vast unspoiled continent in a truck.  On the mountainous roads over the Andes I nearly lost my life as the truck crashed off the side of the road.  We all know we can not be sure when it is our last day, and if I ever forget to be polite and thoughtful to others as I can be, I think back to that day and how sad it would be to end on a bad note.

Undaunted by the accident, the next year I took the same truck through the Middle East.  Customs are very different to those I am used to, but I feel it is important to go through life and accept what people offer rather than to expect what I know and be rattled when it is different.  Much of the lifestyle is not what I would choose, but for millions of people their tradition is the nucleus of their world and that heritage gives them confidence.

For me experiences are more important than possessions, and so it continued every year a different place; the untamed beauty of Africa, the ancient civilizations of China, the jungles of Central America.

My wings have been clipped since moving to Olema, but I still have plans to travel again.  I have found no cure for my wanderlust and while I climb the mountains and trails to the ocean in Point Reyes six thousand miles from home, I still feel I am on an exciting adventure through life.