One decision changed everything
In 2020 we packed our lives into a 1979 Airstream and chased curiosity across all 50 states, 20+ countries, and 4 continents. Now we're restoring a 200-year-old cottage on the Isle of Skye. These are the beautiful parts, the hard parts, and everything in between, from the family who's lived it.
Carol — The Heart of the Journey
Carol is the voice of Colletta & Co., the one doing the thinking out loud, the honest captions, and the 2am renovation planning. She studied early childhood development and spent years in the classroom as a lead teacher. When Calvin was born, she and James decided it made more sense for her to stay home and raise their own kids than trade that time away to raise other people's. One of their greatest decisions, both for the kids and for this life they've found themselves in.
She runs the homeschool out of wherever they happen to be: national parks across America, rented cottages throughout the United Kingdom, an apartment above a gelato shop in Portugal, and occasionally in a car while taking a roadside pause. You'll usually find her with a coffee, a camera, and a running list of questions she's only half-finished thinking through.
"Watching the kids run into the ocean in Hawaii for the first time."
"Let's just stop by this cute coffee shop."
James — The Adventurer and Strategist
James joined the Army at 17, deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq (twice each), then took the reserves' offer of flight school and flew full-time from 2009 to 2014. After that he moved the family to Salt Lake City and worked in finance, where they bought the first house, had the first (and second) kid, and eventually decided there had to be more to life.
He's been an Army reservist ever since, commanding drill sergeants in Utah, aviators at Fort Knox, and now serving as a joint special operations aviation planning officer for SOCPAC in Hawaii. In the civilian world he works in tech strategy and product management. He's constantly building something, whether it's this website, a Sprinter campervan conversion, or whatever the cottage needs next.
"The quiet moments, whe it's clear everyone appreciates this life of ours."
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should." (best lesson from my MBA!)
Calvin — The Young Explorer
Calvin (Cal) is our adventurer, happiest outside, near water, or deep in a forest. He's on track to read 50+ chapter books this year and doesn't go anywhere without his Kindle. When he's not reading, he's building Lego (Star Wars and Minecraft are the current favorites), playing Minecraft or Command & Conquer, or making stop-motion videos.
He and James recently picked up archery at ACE Target Sports on Skye. They've both got their own bows and try to shoot daily, either in the back garden or out on the beach. A staple of their world schooling is finding immersive activities wherever they go, so the kids can see and learn on the spot.
"Having the boat all to ourselves in the Aegean Sea — and Greek sausage!"
"Did you know that..." (then drop an obscure but fascinating fact he just read)
Amelia — The Free Spirit
Amelia (aka Millie) is our girly girl, despite Carol's best efforts. She likes princesses, dress-up, and dolls. She went absolutely gaga at the local pantomime on Skye and is now enrolled in ballet. She is more likely to be found coloring at the dining room table than anywhere else: arts and crafts, fairy houses, and anything involving glitter.
She's also a second child through and through. Unlike Calvin, who's exceptionally good at self-entertaining, Millie is always attached to one of the three of us. She has a soft spot for Highland cows and will report on their whereabouts and well-being daily.
"Seeing baby bears outside our Airstream in Alaska."
"Ahhh! It's so cute! Can we keep it?!"
Colletta — Our Namesake and Muse
Colletta isn't just our trailer (or caravan in the UK). She's the home that started it all. Once a sun-faded shell abandoned in the Arizona desert, she's now a fully restored and smart-wired Airstream that carried us across all 50 states and into Canada. She's currently in storage in California, patiently waiting for our next American adventure.
She watched Calvin ride his first bike and stood witness as Millie took her first steps. Every dent in her aluminum skin holds a memory. While we're building roots in Scotland, she remains very much the fifth member of this family, just on a break.
See her full story and renovation photos →
1979 Sovereign
31 feet
All 50
Stored in California, waiting for the next adventure