Name Dropping: How We Became the VagaBonneys
Embracing our VagaBonneyLife!
Top left: Kauai beach where they filmed scenes from Gilligan’s Island
Top right: Maritime Museum San Diego during sunset concert
Bottom left: Kruger National Park, South Africa during a morning safari
Bottom right: Malta with the ancient city of Valletta in the background
Choosing the right name for a blog or social media handle can feel like naming a newborn—stressful, full of debate, and entirely permanent! However, after weeks of brainstorming, we were fortunate enough to land on two names that fit our journey perfectly.
When Richard and I decided to sell most of our belongings and take our two-person show on the road, we realized we needed an online home. Initially, the site was meant just for family and friends. They shared our excitement about our retirement travel, and we wanted them to follow along—or live vicariously through us if they couldn't travel themselves. But since neither of us had ever blogged before, we were pretty clueless about where to begin.
Over several weeks and many glasses of wine—both at home and at our favorite local spots in San Diego—we tossed around dozens of possibilities. Many were dismissed outright (some much faster than others!).
The "Trekking" Alternate Universe
Even though Richard and I often finish each other’s sentences, we have completely different creative wiring. Coming up with a single moniker to represent us as a dynamic travel duo was a real test.
For a while, I was strongly leaning toward "Trekking with the Bonneys." My vision was that every single post would open with a clever quote from a Star Trek character matching the topic of the day. Quirky, fun, and totally me!
Alas, I am the lone Trekkie in our marriage, so we decided to beam that idea right out the airlock. (That said, if anyone reading this thinks that's a brilliant premise and wants to run with it, please send me a link—I’ll be your first subscriber! 😊)
The Lightbulb Moment
With our first leg of ticketed travel fast approaching, crunch time hit. We kept returning to the core words that defined our dream: wanderlust, vagabond, and nomad.
Then, out of nowhere, it struck me: VagaBonney!
Not only was it a play on our last name, but it perfectly captured the spirit of everything we were setting out to do—travel freely, embrace slow living, and make the most of this chapter together. Richard loved it instantly.
And just like that, the grand adventures of @TheVagaBonneys living our @VagaBonneyLife were officially born.
