Welcome to Wanders With Tara

Hi, I’m Tara and if there’s one thing that’s always been true about me, it’s that I’ve never really known how to sit still.

I grew up in Michigan, surrounded by lakes, woods, dirt roads, and a family that believed adventure was part of everyday life. From a young age, I was the kind of kid who wanted to try everything. Dirt bikes, quads, side‑by‑sides, kayaks, paddle boards, snowboards, snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding, if it involved movement, nature, or a little adrenaline, I was in.

People still joke and call me “4x4” because I do it all.

Growing Up Wild (In the Best Way)

Some of my favorite childhood memories aren’t from big vacations, they’re from helping my grandparents on their farm. Feeding chickens before school. Scooping stalls. Riding horses, four‑wheelers, and snowmobiles across open land. Learning responsibility early, but also learning how freeing it feels to be outside, hands dirty, heart happy.

That mix of farm life and thrill‑seeking shaped who I am. My life has always been an adventure, sometimes calm, sometimes chaotic, always full of stories.

Falling in Love With Travel

Vacations to the Caribbean were my first real introduction to travel, and that’s where everything changed. The ocean, the beaches, the wildlife, the feeling of being somewhere completely different, I fell in love instantly.

Over the years, Florida and North Carolina became regular escapes, and around the age of 16 I started spending extended time in Puerto Rico. One summer after graduation, I lived there for nearly four months and that experience alone shaped so much of how I see the world.

The beach, the culture, the people, the pace of life, it taught me that travel isn’t just about seeing places. It’s about how places change you.

The Path That Wasn’t Mine

For a while, I thought I had my life figured out. I went to college planning to become a veterinarian.

But sometimes the dreams we choose aren’t the ones that choose us back.

Veterinary medicine turned out to be far more emotionally demanding than I was prepared for, and eventually I realized it wasn’t the path meant for me. So I leaned into something I already knew well, bartending and used that experience to land seasonal jobs that allowed me to travel and live in new places.

That decision changed everything.

Over the next few years, I lived and worked in North Carolina, Arizona, and California,  and even had the chance to live on an island, spending my free time exploring national parks, deserts, coastlines, mountain towns, and hidden gems across each state. Those years taught me independence, adaptability, and how powerful it is to build a life around experiences instead of routines.

Living Between Two Worlds

Fast forward to today, I now live between Michigan and Mexico, and over the past year I’ve spent extensive time exploring Mexico, especially Jalisco and the Yucatán Peninsula, along with unforgettable time in Belize, with a special love for Caye Caulker.

This chapter of my life has been about growth, personally and professionally.

I’ve been building my career as a travel advisor, freelancer, and content creator, working with platforms like

Shrpa and CrowdRiff, expanding my partnerships through GetYourGuide, and creating content designed to help travelers plan better, travel smarter, and feel more confident exploring the world.

Travel is no longer just something I love, it’s something I help others experience.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/226f43_1549daa4a9c84f89a3567917379ae006/720p/mp4/file.mp4

What You’ll Find Here

Through Wanders With Tara, I share:

• Honest destination guides

• Custom itineraries and travel tips

• Packing lists and gear I personally use

• National park and outdoor adventure content

• Mexico, Michigan, and Caribbean travel advice

I specialize in travel insights for:

• Michigan

• Florida

• California

• Arizona

• North Carolina

• The Riviera Maya (Mexico)

• Caye Caulker, Belize

Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip, your first international vacation, or your next big adventure, my goal is simple: to make travel feel exciting, approachable, and possible.

Looking Ahead

As I head into 2026, I have several trips and collaborations planned, including new international destinations, brand partnerships, and experiences I can’t wait to share.

This blog is a place for stories, guides, lessons, and inspiration from a life that’s always been a little wild and wonderfully adventurous.

If you’re someone who loves the ocean, the mountains, dirt roads, national parks, spontaneous trips, and chasing the next experience, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to the journey 🤍

— Tara

Welcome to Wanders With Tara