Three Generations, One Love of the World: Joan’s Story

Some stories begin with a single trip. Others begin long before, passed quietly from one generation to the next, shaped by history, curiosity, and a shared belief that the world is meant to be explored together.

Joan’s story is the latter.

At The Wander Club, we believe travel is the thread that connects where you have been to who you are, and sometimes, to who comes after you.

For Joan and her family, wandering has never been a phase or a hobby. It has been a way of life, carried across three generations.

One chapter of that story begins in 1980. As a young Private First Class in the U.S. Army, Joan stood face to face with the Berlin Wall, witnessing firsthand the stark divide that defined a generation.

Ten years later, history changed. In 1990, Joan returned to Berlin, this time with her family and young children, to help tear that wall down.

It was no longer just a moment in history. It was a shared family experience, one that would echo through their lives.

That journey opened doors Joan never imagined.

From Berlin, the family traveled into what was once the German Democratic Republic, eventually reaching Joan’s ancestral village of Dammwolde.

There, surrounded by echoes of the past, time felt suspended. It was a moment of connection between generations, linking ancestors, parents, and children through place and story.

As the years passed, the spirit of exploration did not fade. It evolved.

Today, that same sense of curiosity lives on in Joan’s granddaughter, who has set a bold goal of her own: to visit every U.S. National Park. So far, she has earned 18 Junior Ranger badges, each one representing muddy boots, wide eyes, and lessons learned outdoors. 

Like the generations before her, she proudly marks each adventure with The Wander Club, creating a growing record of memories made young and together.

What makes Joan’s story so special is not just where they have gone, but how travel has been passed down.

From a soldier witnessing history, to parents traveling with their children, to a granddaughter chasing parks and badges, each generation adds a new chapter while honoring the ones before it.

“We are humbled by the remarkable places we’ve explored together and grateful for the memories we’ve made. And with The Wander Club marking each chapter, we look forward to many more adventures still to come.”

Joan’s collection is a reminder that travel is one of the greatest gifts we can give. It teaches history, builds connection, and creates stories worth carrying forward. Her journey shows us that when curiosity is shared, it becomes legacy.

Joan, thank you for trusting us with your family’s story. It is an honor to be part of a journey that spans generations and continues to inspire what is possible when exploration is passed down, one adventure at a time.

Do you have a story behind your collection that means the world to you?

We would love to hear it. Share your journey with us on social @thewanderclub or email hi@thewanderclub.com for a chance to be featured as our next Wanderer of the Week.