I had the best job in local television.
I know this because people told me I did all the time. I had a blast as a feature reporter creating the “MA in MN” segments at KMSP-TV, the Fox affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul. I mean, stories about the coolest stuff in MN–dream job, right? Even so, it was time for a change. As for my near 20-yr. tenure, Keith Richards probably said it best: “I gotta move, it’s still fun. I’m gonna walk before they make me run.” (Am I shoehorning in a gratuitous Stones reference? Kind of. But “Before They Make Me Run”is the walk-off song I’ve had in my head for years. Plus, Keith = retirement goals.)
Anyhow, with a heart full of gratitude I kicked my own butt out of a very comfy nest at Channel 9 to pursue my next chapter. Turns out, a lot of my female friends are also at that stage in life, reinventing and rebooting themselves. We may not be sure exactly what comes next, but we know 2.0 involves travel and stopping for pie along the way. And that’s the inspiration for my new travel blog.
Some of the adventures are in my “Scamp” trailer which looks like a loaf of bread and, truthfully, isn’t all that much bigger in real life.
Usually my boys Franz and Enzo ride sidecar. We’ve racked up a lot of miles and have some strong opinions: The best bayview breakfast burrito in WI. One thing to pack for a cuter, cleaner campsite. Should you blow $300 bucks on a YETI cooler? Hopefully, this intoxicating booya of a blog will give you ideas for your next adventure, solo or otherwise. This is our time to explore. Let’s go, I’ll drive until the first Dairy Queen.
So happy for you!! Safe travels, I look forward to keeping up to you and your blog.
Thanks for following Mary!
Where have you been for the last 9 months???
The 15 or so blog posts I’ve written since last August explain it pretty well…
Miss your segments MA! So glad you get to enjoy what else you love!
Thanks Marilyn! I am enjoying this next phase of professional life, so long in coming.
Sounds like a good time.
Thanks Jon, I can’t complain!
Love to see where this goes. Hope we will see you as usual at Ikesgiving?
I absolutely ran out of time to get tickets to Ike today. I have the t-shirt about “ruining Thanksgiving Day, for more than 15 years.” I will be there.
Thank you for sharing. We sure miss seeing you on Fox 9. It will be great to follow your adventures. Be safe and have fun.
I’m planning some warm weather getaways and hopefully, some down-and-trapper-hat-clad winter adventures around here. Thanks for following!
M.A I have grown to love a lot over the year’s, your sense of humor has kept me hooked, you are still and will always be a part of my Fox9 family and when I get my old rv on the road I hope to meet up with you at a campsite! Happy trails my friend, you are deeply missed!
Thanks Mike! The road goes on forever and the party never ends, as one old rocker said.
Love it!! Still get to follow your adventures!!
Thanks Amy! I have appreciated your support over the years!
This is going to be rea!! Enjoy, Buddy, you know I’m a fan.
Ken (@lkrfn on Twitter)
I am so humbled. Thanks Kenny!
Much happiness and wonderful adventures to you MA!
Thanks Janis. This is a nice opportunity to tell you I’ve appreciated your support over the years. Cheers!
I love your humor and style and I will follow your travels with bated breath.
Hopefully your breath will not be too bated; I have a backlog of travels, plus new ones coming up to send down the pike!
What happened to your other, bigger dog?
Looking forward to going on your adventure with you, riding shotgun.
Rosa
Thanks Rosa! Pert near 20 years there, damn, it was time for a change. Thanks for reading and following along.
That is something I have always wanted to do, the kids look like they are having fun. Please keep us updated with your travels. Enjoy, travel safe
It took a while, but the kids settled into their roles as pampered pooches being carted around to ideal situations and having all their needs met–HA! Thanks for reading.
Nice, looking forward to the blog. Miss you on the TV. Love the stones thing. Hope you are happy and having a great time.
Thanks Todd!
Good for you MA, Hope all goes well, enjoy yourself!!
Thanks, Jeff, I really can’t complain so far!
You always did “you”! It’s no surprise that you have reinvented yourself and I admire the courage you hold and can’t wait to read all about it!
Chris
Thanks Chris, that means a lot. At first, I couldn’t believe I actually left Ch. 9, now–it’s been just the reset I need. Thanks for reading and if you have any suggestions, send ’em my way.
Looking forward to following your adventures!
Thanks, I know there’s a dang “follow” button around here somewhere, LOL! Thanks for reading.
MA,
Sorry to see you leave, but So Happy you are rebooting your life. Enjoy your Travels.
The reboot was overdue, thanks so much for reading, love to have you follow along!
I’m sure Munter is wishing he was along for the ride, too!
I know, miss her every day, and she was a great camper, too.
This is a most difficult thing to do. Hope you can enjoy every second of it! You are amazing:)
Hi there Patti! At first, I couldn’t believe I actually left my job, now…can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner, LOL!
Can’t wait for the next chapter! Bravo!!!!
Thanks Faith. You are a huge inspiration. Thanks for helping me along this leg of the journey.
Congrats! I can’t wait to hear about Jay Cooke, I have stayed there many a times— in a tent, not a Scamp! LOL I wish you the best
Great news MA! Go discover! Seek out Nature and follow your dreams. Oh, and one appliance worth bringing – an Instant Pot. Can’t wait to read your blog!
Happy journeys. All is trasitional.
Thanks, trying to stay zen about it.
Great to hear from you M.A. I miss your “on air presence” and your great story telling ability !!
Have fun, be careful out there, and let us know about your new adventures!!
Thanks, be sure to follow along. I sure appreciate it.
I do miss seeing you! I totally understand why you did it though, glad you are sharing this with us, thank you! Rock on*
Thanks Kat! I think the sign up area pops up right there part way through the first post.
Sign me up for your blog!! I sooooo missss you!!!
I admire you for following your dream. I always loved your news segments.
Thanks Dorothy! 20 years seemed like a solid run, time to change it up and this blog is hopefully just a start.
Excited to hear of your new chapter and wish you luck with your new adventure. 🙂
Thanks Annette! There are definitely some warm weather, and hopefully some UP NORTH cold weather adventures ahead. At my age, you have to warm up in between, LOL!
What a great journey you have embarked on hope you make it to PA – your room is ready ❤ I will enjoy your 2.0 Blog .
Thanks Irene, you are one awesome cuz.
Looking forward to the next blog!
keep reading…your hairy ass will show up soon…
Best wishes to you on your new adventure. I have been wondering about you.
Hey this works for a while…a good, long while I hope! Thanks for reading.
I miss watching you report on TV. You are an amazing person. Good luck in all you choose to pursue in your life. Stay safe be healthy and enjoy life. I retired from Coca-Cola in Southern California in October 2011. Moved to Farmington Minnesota. You reminded me of a Lady news reporter from Southern California her name is Gale. She also was on TV too.
Thanks Tom!
Good for you MA!
I wish you all the best. It was wonderful working with you many moons ago. I miss the creative atmosphere of television, but I couldn’t shake the stress they built in me when I was shown the door. I couldn’t do TV again.
Please add a video or audio podcast to your adventure. You are so creative and podcasting is so easy. I use the Anchor app for a silly audio podcast that barely has a real purpose. The cool thing about Anchor is that I can upload segments throughout the week and when I’m ready to publish I simply put the ones I like in order and click publish. My wife and I use SoundCloud to publish a holiday podcast for our friends and family on Facebook.
We have good friends who quit their jobs, sold their house and started traveling in a camper/van thing. I can’t remember the name of it. They’ve met so many interesting people through their travels across the country and even into Mexico.
Good luck, be well and stay safe.
Wow Tony thanks so much for your thoughtful, letter, really. It got pretty stressful putting out that much content every day in a Hunger Games environment, lol! THANK YOU for the ANCHOR app suggestion. I am pondering some ideas for podcasting. Thanks again!
You go girl!!🚴♂️Your presence on Ch. 9 is definitely missed, but you only get one life! Enjoy😊
AW, thanks for that, I really appreciate it. I already spent two decades of my life at Ch. 9, time to roll on!
Hi MA, Is there some way to sign up to have these delivered to our email?
You’d think I’d know that, Pat, let me check with my IT guy. No, I really have one, he’s not my put-upon boyfriend!
Not only are you one hell of a reporter and interviewer, but you sure can write! Keep em coming!
Wow, thanks! That means a lot!
Wow, I almost forgot to reply because I ran downstairs to tell my partner about this comment, LOL!
Thanks Wendy, this type of writing is completely new to me, but a new challenge is in fact what I needed.
Thank you for bringing us along in this chapter. I always looked forward to your spots on TV, you spin a good yarn. Love your walk-off tune, one of my personal favorites also.
Thanks Todd!
Thanks so much. I could NOT complain about not getting my walk-off, in fact, I did not ask to have my song played on air as “Friday Dance-Off” because Aretha Franklin died that week, and well, all hail the Queen.
I’m so glad I found this blog. I loved your spirt always! I know you can’t bring the scamper…but come down under …….visit me in Sydney, Australia and you can blog about that it’s a fabulous country with SO much to see and do.
Oh my gosh I’ve been checking airfare to Australia, for maybe March? Is that a good time to visit.
I have not been there but a friend of mine has. He went in February a few years ago and told me that it was kind of like July or August weather then. My guess is, It would be great.
What you are doing is outstanding and inspiring. I miss you on Fox 9 but love what you are doing. I had decided after my retirement this May, it was also time to reinvent myself – do a “reboot”. I look forward to following your adventures and creating some of my own 🙂 Happy trails, M.A!
Thanks so much Dorene, I appreciate it! Be sure to sign up for my mostly-weekly blog posts. Thanks!
Wow, great to see you’re heading towards an adventure. I left a comment that I don’t see so maybe I’m wasting my time. Just wanted you to know you were My Favorite reporter local and national, so I miss seeing your smiling face. Hope you do something with YouTube as an alternative. I traveled the U.S. as a young man in a VW camper van and I still miss the Freedom it gave me. I don’t do many road trips now but I’ll keep my eye out for a wondering Scamp.
Best of luck and I hope to see you on the road.
Spike