Hello! I’m Gretchen, a twenty-something solo wanderer with a passion for adventure and telling stories that inspire.

In 2016, I quit my job in the surf industry and set out to travel around the world. After nearly a year on the road, I recently drifted ashore in Santa Cruz, California.

This blog is a collection of my words and photographs created along the journey. It’s meant to inspire you to travel the world or even just take a weekend to try something new in a place you’ve never been before.

Follow my adventures on Instagram: @wildcompass