Wanderlust and Drip

Introduction

Before I start, let me just say — I’m new to this.

I’m a father, husband, and a law enforcement professional (not your traditional cop). I’m also a U.S. Navy veteran, a man who loves travel, men’s fashion, and a good story. For years, I’ve wanted to keep a daily journal — a way to track my “sea stories” and eventually pass them on to my kids and grandkids. This blog is that journal. It’s my way to express myself and, hopefully, inspire others to see the world, chase experiences, and live with purpose.

Where It All Started

I grew up in the small town of Slidell, Louisiana. My dad worked his ass off to provide for our family of four, so traveling wasn’t exactly a priority. But he still made time for family vacations — beaches, mountains, road trips — all within driving distance. Those memories were gold.

Still, I wanted more.

As a kid, I’d sit in class flipping through National Geographic, staring at wild photos of distant lands, thinking, “I want to see that in real life.” That’s where the travel bug first bit me.

A Teen with No Plan (and Big Dreams)

Fast forward a few years. I was in high school — a bit of a terror to both my teachers and my dad (sorry, Dad). When he asked what I wanted to do with my life, I didn’t have a clue. I knew I wanted to travel, wear nice clothes, and live like the guys I saw in GQ magazines — sharp suits, confidence, adventure.

Then one day, I sat down with my grandfather, a Marine Corps veteran. He’d pour himself a 7 and 7, sit in his old camper, and tell me stories — the kind of stories I probably shouldn’t have heard at that age. But I loved them. The excitement, the cultures, the travel — I wanted it all.

Joining the Navy

After that, I made up my mind. I was going to join the military and see the world. My dad wasn’t thrilled — and now that I’m a father myself, I understand why.

This was right after 9/11. Like every 17-year-old red-blooded American at the time, I was fired up and ready to “kick some ass.” I didn’t even know what an insurgent was, but I knew his ass was mine.

So I marched down to the Marine Corps recruiter and said, “I want to see the world and kick some ass.”

He looked at me and said, “Join the Navy, boy.”

So I said, “F** it, and joined the Navy.

First Taste of Freedom

I’ll never forget the day I left for boot camp. It was my first time flying — hell, my first time even stepping into an airport. The night before, all the recruits stayed at a hotel in Metairie, Louisiana (basically a suburb of New Orleans).

I was 17, turning 18 in a few weeks, with $200 to my name and no cell phone. Somehow, I ended up at an old strip club in Fat City — the kind with a giant wheel out front. I told everyone inside that I was leaving for boot camp the next day, and they treated me like a king.

That was my first real taste of adult freedom.

The next morning, I headed to the New Orleans International Airport, wide-eyed and clueless. An older lady working the gate literally took me by the hand and walked me through boarding. I sat by the window, no luggage, just a small bag of nerves and excitement. When the flight attendant offered me a drink and snack, I thought, “Why have I never done this before?” I stared out that window the entire flight — hooked for life.

The Birth of Wanderlust

That flight sparked something deep inside me. Sitting here today, on a plane back from Nashville, I realize that experiences are what shape us. They fill our souls and define who we become.

This blog is my way of capturing those experiences — not just for me, but for my family, and for anyone who’s ever dreamed of breaking out of their small-town bubble. I’ll be sharing stories of travel, investigations, and men’s style — all through the lens of a man who’s lived a rugged yet refined life.

Join Me on This Journey

This isn’t just a blog. It’s a journal, a legacy, and a reflection of what it means to live life fully — with grit, style, and purpose.

If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling, reinventing yourself, or simply finding beauty in the chaos, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to the journey.

Sincerely,

Your Refined Wanderer