Meet Mandy McKaskle
My connection to transformative travel began in the shadow of heartbreak. At 16, just one month after losing my brother Jeremy to suicide, I found myself living in Mexico as an exchange student. My parents, in their wisdom, still allowed me to go. I couldn't have known then how profoundly right this decision would be. Mexico wasn't new to me—it had been my childhood sanctuary. Every long weekend, every holiday, every summer vacation meant Puerto Peñasco, where the rhythm of waves against shore became the soundtrack to my happiest memories. There, watching sunset colors dance across unfamiliar horizons, I felt special, different, alive in ways my small hometown never allowed.
→ I want your children and grand-children to have these same anchoring memories - places that become part of their identity, shaping who they become.
A trip to Croatia was also a pivotal moment for me. I was drowning at the time - a marriage ended, a series of hip surgeries robbed me of running (my moving meditation), and the silent grief of miscarriage had nearly gutted me. When my Argentinian friend invited me to join her, I bought a ticket immediately. Those Adriatic afternoons accomplished more than distraction, they reassembled the broken pieces. Days spent near the impossibly turquoise seas and something inside me finally unclenched, creating space for hope to return. That getaway proved to me that healing wasn't just possible, it was waiting.
→ Let me create space for your own healing journey - sometimes we need distance to find our way back to ourselves.
Most recently, a safari to Botswana reinforced my belief in the transformative power of travel. If there exists one journey worthy of your lifetime's ambitions, an African safari stands paramount – though I would contend once is not enough. The experience presents a rare duality: ethereal yet grounding, spiritual yet tangible. Few life experiences alter your perspective so profoundly as witnessing untamed wildlife in its natural glory. Furthermore, supporting conservation partners committed to environmental sustainability and community development reinforces how travel can contribute to the greater good.
→ I invite you to experience moments of authentic wonder that will resonate through your life's journey.
Travel isn't just about beautiful hotels or Instagram moments, though I promise you'll have those too. It's about writing new stories for yourself, ones where you're more brave, more open, more alive than you thought possible. I consider it a blessing, being part of creating these meaningful chapters - from watching the next generation marvel at snow-capped peaks to finding your peace on a quiet coastline when you need it most.
→ I want your children and grand-children to have these same anchoring memories - places that become part of their identity, shaping who they become.
A trip to Croatia was also a pivotal moment for me. I was drowning at the time - a marriage ended, a series of hip surgeries robbed me of running (my moving meditation), and the silent grief of miscarriage had nearly gutted me. When my Argentinian friend invited me to join her, I bought a ticket immediately. Those Adriatic afternoons accomplished more than distraction, they reassembled the broken pieces. Days spent near the impossibly turquoise seas and something inside me finally unclenched, creating space for hope to return. That getaway proved to me that healing wasn't just possible, it was waiting.
→ Let me create space for your own healing journey - sometimes we need distance to find our way back to ourselves.
Most recently, a safari to Botswana reinforced my belief in the transformative power of travel. If there exists one journey worthy of your lifetime's ambitions, an African safari stands paramount – though I would contend once is not enough. The experience presents a rare duality: ethereal yet grounding, spiritual yet tangible. Few life experiences alter your perspective so profoundly as witnessing untamed wildlife in its natural glory. Furthermore, supporting conservation partners committed to environmental sustainability and community development reinforces how travel can contribute to the greater good.
→ I invite you to experience moments of authentic wonder that will resonate through your life's journey.
Travel isn't just about beautiful hotels or Instagram moments, though I promise you'll have those too. It's about writing new stories for yourself, ones where you're more brave, more open, more alive than you thought possible. I consider it a blessing, being part of creating these meaningful chapters - from watching the next generation marvel at snow-capped peaks to finding your peace on a quiet coastline when you need it most.
Why Creosote Journeys & Co.?
- Uncomplicate the Journey. Elevate the Experience
Creosote Journeys & Co. specializes in crafting meticulously designed, full-service luxury itineraries. We partner with the world's most distinguished 4* and 5* hotels, as well as exclusive river, ocean, and expedition cruises, ensuring an unparalleled level of refinement and personalized service. For discerning travelers seeking to transcend the ordinary and embark on a journey of profound discovery, we invite you to schedule a private, complimentary consultation. We are built on enduring relationships. Over time, each journey builds on the last - from weekend escapes to multi-country itineraries, creating a seamless, evolving travel story. Our work is most impactful when we’re entrusted with your full travel vision, not just individual arrangements.
