Welcome to The Traveling Dragonfly!
Here you’ll find lots of insider information on national parks, road trip travel planning, destinations, travel tips, itinerary ideas, reviews, travel gear and more- everything you need to have a great road trip experience so that after your trip you can say, “that was the best trip ever!”
Planning a trip?…
Considering a road trip to a national park and looking for itinerary ideas?
Looking for things to do and see along the Pacific Coast Highway?
Want to know what you should bring for a day at Dry Tortugas National Park?
Curious about hiking in Arches National Park? Grand Teton National Park? The Great Smoky Mountains?
Interested in fishing or hunting trip and want to know more about great places and knowledgeable guides? (These trips aren’t just for men!)
Need a road trip itinerary? Checklists? Travel tips? Maps?
Whether you’re a solo traveler or traveling with friends or family, you’ve come to the right place!
Here at The Traveling Dragonfly, I can help you with that all those questions and more!
Meet Dani….
It seems like I’ve traveled all my life. In fact, some of my earliest memories are taking road trips to national parks and historic sites with my parents and younger brother and our HUGE Saint Bernard- in a 1975 white Pontiac Phoenix!
Travel planning at an early age!
Illinois, 1979
But that was enough…I had been bitten by the travel bug!
Since those early years, my family and I have taken more road trips than I could possibly count. We’ve visited over 30 of the 63 U.S. National Parks, more than 50 national historic sites all around the country, and all 50 U.S. states (twice!) including the Florida Keys and four of the Hawaiian Islands.
I’ve traveled to more than 20 countries including Germany, Austria, Scotland, Netherlands, and even lived in France for several months.
I’ve been to numerous islands such as Iceland, the Caymans, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Maarten, the Turks & Caicos, and the Bahamas. And I’ve had the good fortune to explore French Polynesia – both the Marquesas and the Society Islands.
And my bucket list is still growing!
Each place I visit I learn more about myself and I want that for you!
My travel list keeps growing the more I travel (weird, right?) and I’ve added places like Chile, Antarctica, Indonesia, and New Zealand to my list!
And I can’t wait to share my experiences with you!
I am a second career teacher, teaching middle school social studies and before that I enjoyed a twenty-year career in emergency medicine – as a paramedic. All through it all the one constant has been travel.
When not traveling, you can find me at home in Florida – usually outdoors wearing mud-covered boots and working on whatever current DIY project I’ve got going, or trying to keep track of our mini Aussie, four cats and eight chickens!
I also enjoy saltwater fishing, hunting, backpacking, oil painting, reading, and trying out new recipes.
I’m also a HUGE history buff (and nerd) so much so that I recently earned my master’s degree in history – not to earn more money or for any particular job, but just because I enjoyed the work! (Like I said, I’m a nerd!)
Travel planning is my passion!
I love traveling but more so, I enjoy helping other people travel…well helping other people PLAN their travels!
For years I’ve been planning trips for family and friends and one day my sister suggested I create a travel blog to reach out and help other people with their travel planning … and The Traveling Dragonfly was born!
About the Dragonfly…
Symbolism of the Dragonfly
Dragonflies symbolize change, self-awareness, a realization of one’s higher potential, and an understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
They are a sign of new perspectives and embracing new beginnings.
Dragonflies have a short life-span and therefore embody the idea of living life to its fullest.
To me, travel allows us to do just that…to live and enjoy life!
By getting out and exploring the world we live in, and by experiencing new cultures, new places, meeting new people…we just might learn more about ourselves!
So, kick off your heels (or boots), make yourself comfy, and get ready to explore and embrace your inner dragonfly!
Limitations keep you on the ground, belief in yourself allows you to fly
Where does your bucket list take you? What adventures do you want to experience? I’d love to hear from you…Comment below!