Who I Am

I am fun, friendly, and in love with France. I’ve been called “Julie McCoy” more than once. (If you’re my age, you know who this is. If you’re not, go watch an episode of “Love Boat.”) 

I don’t know when my love affair with France began, but it was definitely early since I chose to start studying it in 8th grade. I first got to France when I was 19 years old and it was everything I’d ever dreamed it would be! Gorgeous; filled with chocolate, bread, cheese, and wine; and surrounded by people kissing each other’s cheeks and speaking in the most beautiful language I’d ever heard. 

Leaving college with a degree in French, I had all these highfalutin’ and romantic ideas about traveling the world but found myself faced with car payments and rent. I quickly landed a job which led to a great career in the training industry which led to an amazing career in user experience research—and yet I continued to travel to France, leading tours, whenever the opportunity arose. 

Like many others before me, a big turning point in my life came at age fifty. The world was at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I took a totally inspiring trip to Europe. Three weeks, three areas, three different groups of family and friends. Upon returning home, I realized how happy I was and that I needed more of this in my life. That’s when Gallivant & Traipse was born.