About Midlife Tripping
A travel blog for couples who are done waiting for "someday" — honest stories, real destinations, and zero pretense from California's Central Coast.
Meet Jill & Ernie
We're Jill and Ernie — married for over 30 years, living on California's Central Coast, and somewhere in our 50s with a running list of places we still want to see. We have two terriers who have strong opinions about rest stops, and a custom Sprinter van named Maverick that's taken us up and down the California coast more times than we can count. Travel isn't something we do on vacation. It's just how we live now.
The bucket list has been there for a long time. Italy was on it for years before we finally went — and when we did, we stayed an extra four days because we couldn't make ourselves leave. That trip changed things for us. Trastevere at dusk, wine we couldn't pronounce, a meal that lasted three hours. We came home different. Since then we've been chasing that feeling: not just sightseeing, but actually landing somewhere and letting it get to you a little.
We document all of it here — the road trips along Highway 1, the international adventures, the honest restaurant reviews, the van life learning curve (it is definitely a curve), and the growing collection of things we figured out the hard way so you don't have to. None of this is sponsored fluff or aspirational posturing. We're just two people who love to travel and think more couples in their 50s deserve honest, relatable content that actually reflects what their lives look like.
Why We Started This Blog
For a long time, travel was something we talked about in the future tense. Someday we'd do Italy. Someday we'd take that long road trip through the Southwest. Someday, when things calmed down — when the kids were older, when work eased up, when the timing felt right. The thing about someday is it has a way of staying right where you put it.
"At some point we realized the timing was never going to be perfect, and we just had to go."
The shift happened gradually and then all at once. We started taking shorter trips — a weekend in Cambria, a few days up the coast — and realized that the world was still very much out there waiting for us, and we were very much still capable of showing up for it. So we went to Italy. Then we got Maverick and took him on his first long road trip. Then we started filming, then writing, and eventually this blog became the place where we put all of it down.
We make content for couples in their 50s who feel the pull of adventure but don't see themselves in most travel content. The influencers are too young, the guidebooks feel impersonal, and the "luxury travel for seniors" market makes you feel about 30 years older than you are. We're not that. We're people who like a good meal, a window seat, a dog-friendly patio, and the next destination already bookmarked before we've left the current one. If that sounds like you, you're in the right place.
What We Cover
From weekend road trips to international adventures — here's what you'll find on Midlife Tripping.
Road Trips
California coast drives, highway routes, and long-haul adventures with Maverick. Real routes, real stops, real costs.
International Travel
Europe, bucket-list destinations, and honest guides for couples navigating international travel in their 50s — without the pretense.
Dining Finds
We eat our way through every destination. New restaurant openings, hidden local gems, and the meals worth planning a trip around.
Traveling with Pets
Our two terriers go everywhere with us. Pet-friendly guides, road trip tips, and everything we've learned about traveling with dogs.
Our Gear & Favorites
Over the years we've tested a lot of travel gear — some of it great, some of it a waste of money. Our shop page is where we keep the things that actually made it into the regular rotation: the packing cubes we swear by, the tech we travel with, the van essentials that saved us, and the everyday items that have made a real difference on the road. We're Amazon Associates, so we earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you — but we only list things we've genuinely used and would recommend to a friend.
Meet Maisy — Our 2016 Winnebago Brave
While we road-trip domestically in our Sprinter van Maverick, Maisy is our beloved retro Winnebago Brave — and she's available to rent when we're not using her. She sleeps 5, looks vintage on the outside, and is fully modern inside. Based in Arroyo Grande on California's Central Coast, she's the perfect base camp for exploring Highway 1.
- 32 ft Class A · Sleeps 5 · Queen + twin beds
- Fully equipped kitchen — dishes, cookware, Keurig
- Fresh linens, towels & beach package included
- Electric bike add-on available ($15/day)
- Pet friendly · Delivery & setup available
- Central Coast locations: Paso Robles to Santa Barbara
Partnerships & Collaborations
We work with brands, destinations, and companies whose values align with ours — real travel, honest content, and an audience of active, curious couples in their 50s.
Get In Touch
Whether you're a tourism board, a travel brand, or a company with a product that belongs on the road, we'd love to hear from you. We keep our partnerships selective so they stay genuine.
hello@midlifetripping.comTypes of Partnerships
We're open to collaborations that feel natural to our content and our audience. Here's what we typically work on:
- Destination features & tourism board partnerships
- Brand collaborations (travel gear, apparel, lifestyle)
- Product reviews (gear we can actually test on the road)
- Social media campaigns (YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest)