Stranded Around The World

The Strand’s
We are Katie and Zane Strand from Boulder, Colorado, USA.  At ages 32 and 34, after being married for almost 6 years we are living one our dreams of traveling around the world for over a year.  Read on about our individual stories and about the story of Us.

Zane’s Story
Born in the mountain town of Missoula, Montana Zane loves outdoor activities such as; hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking and fly-fishing.  At the age of 19 he moved to Southern California to apprentice as a chef and fell in love with the ocean where he began free-diving and spearfishing.  He has a passion for cooking and a love for beer.  After meeting Katie he moved to Colorado in his mid-twenties.  In Colorado the decision was made to go back to school to become an educator, and is now a high school Social Studies teacher.  His love for travel landed him teaching in China, and now on a year around the world trip.

Katie’s Story
Being the youngest in a family of four contributes to her independence, stubbornness and witty nature.  North Dakota born and educated she is a Coloradan at heart after living there for 8 years because of her love of the outdoors, an active lifestyle, good food and great beer.   Her passion for a challenge has driven her to complete many running races, including 3 marathons, and sprint triathlons.   A Business Degree along with a keen sense of organization and problem solving landed her a 7-year stint in Event Planning and Management at NITA, a leading Continuing Legal Education organization. Her desire of traveling has led her to visit 34 countries and still thinks Colorado is the best place to be!

Our Story
January 22, 2005, Zane and Katie met un-expectantly in California with one of their first conversations being about having a common goal of traveling around the world for a year.  As you can imagine they had an instant connection, which turned into 10 months of long-distance dating and then Zane taking a chance on the relationship by moving to Colorado. Two years after meeting they hiked their favorite peak in Boulder and Zane proposed on the top with champagne and a secret video of the moment.   Check out the special moment.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqFLhTiM7ak

The wedding was 6 months later on Secret Beach in Oahu, Hawaii with a honeymoon in Fiji.  Throughout the next few years they worked multiple jobs during their time in Colorado to obtain their common goals of purchasing their first home, getting Zane through school debt free, and saving for their year around the world.  After quitting their jobs and teaching for 6 months in China they are now fulfilling their dream of traveling for a year around the world together.

Currently, they have traveled to 18 countries together and are continually making wonderful memories.  In August of 2014 they will be back in Colorado where their hearts truly lie.

 

Some favorite travel quotes of ours:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
– Mark Twain

I am a hopeless wanderer and I will learn, I will learn to love the skies I am under.
-Mumford and Sons

The scariest moment is always just before you start.
-Stephen King