Meet Mandy McKaskle
Hi, I am Mandy, the Founder of Creosote Journeys and quite simply travel has changed my life. Saved my life really.
Say what? That seems a bit dramatic and well it is, but if you know me you know that I say exactly what I mean and how I feel. And in order to accurately describe something that has lifted me from the depths of loss, heartbreak and tragedy and shown light, hope and perspective is to say it is life saving. Those are just the words that fit.
Let me paint the picture for you...the first time travel saved my life was when I was 9 years old and visited New York City for the first time. See, I grew up in very small town. The kind where everybody knows everybody's business and families grow up together for generations. The kind of place that makes you feel small and if you don't like your situation or who you are - can also make you feel like it is the only way that life will ever be. New York City opened my eyes and mind to a whole new world outside of my small town so I always knew there was more to life. ➡️I want to help you see a new place or return to your favorite place.
Fast forward to a few years later when I was 16 years old and a few months removed from my brother committing suicide. An already planned exchange for me to live in Hermosillo, Mexico continued in spite of this. I have NO idea how my parents had the strength to lose and let go of 2 children all at the same time, but I went and am so glad I did. See, I grew up spending every long weekend, holiday, summer vacation in a beach town in Mexico called Puerto Peñasco so from a very young age felt at home there. Honestly most of my happy memories from childhood are from those carefree times in a place that wasn't the small town I grew up in. It made me feel special and different but I also just felt connected. Like I belonged. And living there just solidified my love affair with Mexico and all of Latin America. Speaking spanish is something that just comes back to me no matter how long I go without practicing it daily - and there is something incredibly comforting and exciting about knowing that I could be thrown into any spanish speaking situation and be ok.➡️It opens up the world to my fingertips which is what I want to do for you.
The last experience I had was just a few years ago when I visited Croatia for the first time. It was not too long after a series of tragedies and personal losses had just about taken me over and I needed a lifeline. So when my beloved friend from Argentina invited me to travel with her I jumped at the opportunity. This trip opened my mind, healed my heart and gave me hope. We laughed, we cried, we ate, we drank, we swam and were collectively in awe of such a beautiful place. I came home with a renewed purpose and knowledge that I would be ok along with happy memories of a country that I hope to return to time and time again. ➡️I want to help you experience a trip that opens your eyes, your heart and your mind but with none of the stress that can come with travel planning.
What does all this mean for you? I care that the experience you have while traveling is one that changes your life. That helps you to heal from loss, or spend precious time with those you love most, or seize the moment, or experience your final continent or whatever travel means to you. I care about the details and creating the most memorable journey so that all you have to do is relax and unwind. Even if you love to plan travel, it can get overwhelming and stressful really quickly and especially in light of all the changes with COVID-19, the value of working with a travel advisor has never been more clear. I have had the good fortune of being in the travel industry for over 20 years and want to help open up the world to you and those you love most. Being connected has never been more important than NOW.
I invite you to connect on a free planning call so you can get one step closer to creating your own journey that connects you to what you love most. Contact me today to get started!
Say what? That seems a bit dramatic and well it is, but if you know me you know that I say exactly what I mean and how I feel. And in order to accurately describe something that has lifted me from the depths of loss, heartbreak and tragedy and shown light, hope and perspective is to say it is life saving. Those are just the words that fit.
Let me paint the picture for you...the first time travel saved my life was when I was 9 years old and visited New York City for the first time. See, I grew up in very small town. The kind where everybody knows everybody's business and families grow up together for generations. The kind of place that makes you feel small and if you don't like your situation or who you are - can also make you feel like it is the only way that life will ever be. New York City opened my eyes and mind to a whole new world outside of my small town so I always knew there was more to life. ➡️I want to help you see a new place or return to your favorite place.
Fast forward to a few years later when I was 16 years old and a few months removed from my brother committing suicide. An already planned exchange for me to live in Hermosillo, Mexico continued in spite of this. I have NO idea how my parents had the strength to lose and let go of 2 children all at the same time, but I went and am so glad I did. See, I grew up spending every long weekend, holiday, summer vacation in a beach town in Mexico called Puerto Peñasco so from a very young age felt at home there. Honestly most of my happy memories from childhood are from those carefree times in a place that wasn't the small town I grew up in. It made me feel special and different but I also just felt connected. Like I belonged. And living there just solidified my love affair with Mexico and all of Latin America. Speaking spanish is something that just comes back to me no matter how long I go without practicing it daily - and there is something incredibly comforting and exciting about knowing that I could be thrown into any spanish speaking situation and be ok.➡️It opens up the world to my fingertips which is what I want to do for you.
The last experience I had was just a few years ago when I visited Croatia for the first time. It was not too long after a series of tragedies and personal losses had just about taken me over and I needed a lifeline. So when my beloved friend from Argentina invited me to travel with her I jumped at the opportunity. This trip opened my mind, healed my heart and gave me hope. We laughed, we cried, we ate, we drank, we swam and were collectively in awe of such a beautiful place. I came home with a renewed purpose and knowledge that I would be ok along with happy memories of a country that I hope to return to time and time again. ➡️I want to help you experience a trip that opens your eyes, your heart and your mind but with none of the stress that can come with travel planning.
What does all this mean for you? I care that the experience you have while traveling is one that changes your life. That helps you to heal from loss, or spend precious time with those you love most, or seize the moment, or experience your final continent or whatever travel means to you. I care about the details and creating the most memorable journey so that all you have to do is relax and unwind. Even if you love to plan travel, it can get overwhelming and stressful really quickly and especially in light of all the changes with COVID-19, the value of working with a travel advisor has never been more clear. I have had the good fortune of being in the travel industry for over 20 years and want to help open up the world to you and those you love most. Being connected has never been more important than NOW.
I invite you to connect on a free planning call so you can get one step closer to creating your own journey that connects you to what you love most. Contact me today to get started!
Why Creosote Journeys?
The Creosote (kree-uh-sote) Plant is found all over the Sonoran Desert in Arizona where we call home. Like most desert flora it is tenacious and adaptable, but the most unique characteristic is that it is responsible for the fragrant scent of desert rain. A scent that makes us feel connected. Simple but powerful. Our goal with Creosote Journeys is to create journeys that will help you to connect; to your family and friends, with the culture and countries you are experiencing but most importantly with yourself.
Creosote Journeys is a full-service luxury travel planning company offering a wide array of services for all types of travelers. We handle everything from simple hotel, air or car bookings, river/ocean/expedition cruises, to completely custom itineraries and work with all ages and budgets. If you are not sure where to start or if you should work with a travel advisor- contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
What connects you?
Creosote Journeys is a full-service luxury travel planning company offering a wide array of services for all types of travelers. We handle everything from simple hotel, air or car bookings, river/ocean/expedition cruises, to completely custom itineraries and work with all ages and budgets. If you are not sure where to start or if you should work with a travel advisor- contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
What connects you?
