Hi, I’m Melody – the face and heart behind The Wayward Daughter. Originally from Florida but now calling Utah home, I’m on a mission to chase the stories and adventures that will fill my heart and soul for a lifetime. This beautiful life is all about living boldly and chasing the moments that matter most, and I believe there’s no better way to do that than through travel and storytelling.

At The Wayward Daughter, I share my experiences from the open road, the hidden gems I find along the way, and the unforgettable moments that make life worth living. Whether it’s the beauty of the Florida coast or the rugged landscapes of the West, this space is for those who believe that adventure is the best kind of memory-making. My goal? To inspire you to pack your bags, follow your curiosity, and create your own stories to tell when you’re older.

Join me as I wander, discover, and live this wild journey. Let’s go find some stories together.

My philosophy: Traveling is food for the soul but it’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about truly experiencing the world, connecting with it in ways that make us feel alive. We weren’t meant to spend our days simply checking off to-do lists and meeting deadlines. Life is too precious for that. It’s about filling our days with moments that matter, those experiences that will define us and make us feel like we truly lived.

You’ll never remember the day you mowed your lawn or stayed late to finish a work project. But you’ll always remember the time you found yourself hiking to a hidden mountain lake, the exhilaration of reaching the summit of a Colorado 14’er, or lying under the stars in the quiet desert, feeling the vastness of the world around you. Those are the moments that define a life well-lived. The ones that stay with you, etched in your heart forever.

Here’s the thing: life is fleeting. The average person has just 78 years on this earth. That’s only 78 chances to experience the world in all its wonder. Whether it’s paddleboarding in Montana’s pristine waters, catching the sunrise at Mesa Arch, or seeing the elk in rutting season in Rocky Mountain National Park — these are the moments we wait for. The ones that make life worth living. And they’re not guaranteed. Tomorrow is never promised, and we’re not given a second chance to relive moments we missed.

Too often, we get caught up in the “someday” mindset: "I’ll travel when I retire," or "Once the kids are out of the house, we’ll explore more." But the truth is, there’s no guarantee you’ll get to retire or even see your children as adults. The time to start living the adventure you’ve been dreaming of is now. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the right time — the world is here, and it’s waiting for you.

So, let’s start today. Let’s create stories worth telling. Let’s wander, explore, and discover all the beauty and wonder this world has to offer. The world is waiting — and so are you.