About Me

Meet Jolene

Hi, I’m Jolene Gordo, and I have always wanted to travel! I was born and raised in California. Growing up, I spent our summers living in Yosemite National Park where my Dad worked.

In grade school I found a picture of a platypus. Mom made me look up where they lived and then pointed out it was too far to drive especially without a bridge over the ocean. It seemed every book I read made me want to travel to those places, but our family vacations were either the California coast or Yosemite National Park. Not exactly shabby places to visit as a child, I can assure you! I learned a lot about protecting our wildlife and natural resources, and loving the feel of salt sea as we cut across waves on Dad’s beloved deep sea fishing trips.

Finally, in college I got my first opportunity to travel outside of California. I have been working on seeing as much of the world as possible. I’ve planned trips for myself and others, had great experiences, some not so great, and learned a lot about the ability to pivot, adapt, and enjoy the unexpected.

I still live in California with a college friend and our three adorable rescue dogs.  It is my desire that everyone have the experience of standing wide-eyed before a temple, floating in a sea of salt, or seeing that small thing that first inspired them to travel. I finally got to see my real platypus in 2001 – he was the most beautiful creature!

Where I Have Traveled (so far!)

USA – California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, Florida, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Virginia, New York, Hawaii

England, Scotland, Wales, Egypt, Morocco, Israel, Jordan, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Bahamas, Curacao, Aruba