About Chantelle
Travel didn’t start as a career for me. It started as a realization.
On a hiking trip to Moab with my sister and my kids, somewhere between the red rock trails and the wide desert sky, I realized something important: I was capable of more than I thought. That trip showed me I could be independent, strong, and fully myself in ways I hadn’t experienced before.
Every trip after that built on that feeling. Each new destination added a little more confidence, a little more curiosity, and a deeper understanding of who I was becoming.
Today, I tell travel stories that help other women discover that same sense of possibility.
I write about outdoor travel, wellness destinations, and the kinds of places that help women feel braver in the world.
Flannels or Flipflops
The name Flannels or Flipflops reflects my own travel identity.
I was born in California — where flipflops are practically a lifestyle — but now live in the Pacific Northwest, where flannels feel like the unofficial uniform. It perfectly captures the two types of places I’m drawn to most: beaches and mountains.
Through my writing and my podcast, I explore destinations that encourage curiosity, confidence, and connection. From national parks and small towns to wellness retreats and unexpected places with quirky charm, I’m always looking for experiences that make travel meaningful.
The Podcast
I’m also the host of the Flannels or Flipflops Podcast, where I talk with travelers, creators, and adventurers who stepped outside their comfort zones and discovered something bigger on the other side.
The show focuses on the real side of travel — the confidence it builds, the lessons it teaches, and the stories that come from saying yes to experiences that feel a little scary at first.
The Kind of Travel I Love
- National parks and outdoor adventures
- Wellness retreats and restorative travel
- Quirky destinations and hidden gems
- Dark sky parks and stargazing experiences
- Small towns with big stories
- Unique hotels and meaningful stays
A Few Personal Things
I live in Washington State with my husband, three dogs, and one very opinionated cat. I’m also the proud mom of five adult kids and two granddaughters.
Coffee and Dr Pepper will always win over everything else. I’ll probably miss every sunrise, but I never miss a good sunset. And if a trip includes seeing animals in the wild — or getting a little closer than expected — I’m instantly happy.
Some of my most unforgettable travel moments include holding an orphaned spider monkey in Panama, swimming with reef sharks in Bimini, and experiencing a traditional Balinese healing session in Ubud.
Work With Me
I collaborate with tourism boards, destinations, hotels, and travel brands through editorial storytelling, press trips, podcast features, and creative travel campaigns.