Hello, I'm Elle.

I’m a native Atlantan, a retired professor, and an avid traveler who moves through the world with equal parts curiosity and humility. My passport has been filling with stamps since childhood—my parents handed me a love of travel early, and by high school I was already crossing the Atlantic, learning that the world was far bigger, and far more interesting, than any map could suggest.

That curiosity eventually became my career. I spent over a decade teaching college history and running a study-abroad program, helping students encounter the past not just through textbooks, but through place. Now, after years in classrooms, I find my lessons in quieter spaces: long walks, everyday rituals, and conversations that don’t fit neatly into syllabi. Travel, for me, isn’t about collecting destinations—it’s about paying attention to the ordinary moments that reveal a place’s character.

I’ve traveled to nearly 30 countries, not to check names off a list, but to learn, experience, and grow with each journey. Today I travel solo, slowly, and intentionally, guided by a deep respect for people, animals, and the environment. I aim to do as little harm as possible, knowing that ethical living—like travel itself—is about effort and awareness rather than perfection. On the road (and sometimes in the air), I embrace being an imperfect vegan, a thoughtful observer, and a lifelong student of the world. This site is a record of that ongoing practice: observing carefully, learning constantly, and traveling with care. And I’m always open to suggestions—if there’s a place you think I should explore next, I’d love to hear from you.