About Me- The Traveling Praters

Hi! I’m Tonya, the founder of Travel Inspired Living.

I don’t believe travel needs to be difficult, expensive, or take you across the globe to be memorable.

I’m on a mission to inspire you to get out and explore the world around you. What better place to start than right where you are?

Interested in working together? Email me at tonya@travelinspiredliving.com.

I’m an early empty nester who homeschooled my three kids while traveling with my husbands job. We road tripped throughout the southeast United States for years staying in hotels and temporary apartments before finally buying an older RV and becoming full-time RVers for nearly two years.

I started writing while homeschooling my three children and serving as the newsletter editor for my local homeschool support group, Training Leaders for Christ.

When my family wasn’t traveling with my husband’s job, I would arrange field trips for my own family and support group. I believe the best way to learn isn’t from a textbook but through experiences. We fit in a ton of experiences!

I’ve spoken at local and state homeschool conferences on the many benefits of educational travel and written for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Family Fun Magazine, local travel guides, CampingTipsforEveryone.com and other popular websites through the years.

I’m also the co-author of Secret Cleveland: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure and the Roadside Attractions Adult Coloring Book.

A little bit about me.

I’m a wife, mom to three grown children, mom-in-law, and grandma to a spunky, independent toddler and new little guy.

I love history and architecture and got so caught up with the cast of Downton Abbey that I cried when my favorite character died and didn’t watch it for years!

A nomad at heart, I learned early in life what an adventure it can be to seek out off-the-beaten-path spots and to appreciate and patronize local mom & pop restaurants and stores.

I dream of the day I can convert my husband’s 2017 Dodge Promaster Van into a permanent camper, pack up the house, and hit the road.

When I’m not scouring thrift stores for pieces to add to my milk glass collection or hosting a monthly wine night in my home, I’m plotting road trips to see the world’s largest and most unique attractions or seeking out the best glamping spots with my husband.

I call Mansfield, Ohio home, but I’m seriously considering what life would be like as a snowbird by joining my youngest children in Florida.

I’d Love to Connect!

Do you represent a product, company, or destination that would be a good fit for my audience? I am open to collaborations. My media kit is available upon request. Send me an email at tonya@travelinspiredliving.com so we can chat.

Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram.

About Travel Inspired Living

We spent over a year living in our 31-foot motorhome.

When Travel Inspired Living began as The Traveling Praters in 2009, it was never intended to be seen by outside eyes. Living in a 31-foot motorhome with my husband, three homeschooled teens, and a rescued pound puppy, the blog began as a hobby and outlet to keep me, Tonya Prater, sane.

That was twelve years ago!

My family survived 18 months as full-time RVers! My kids claim that was the worst experience ever, but if you ask me, I think it fueled their wanderlust. They all love to travel too.

The kids have grown up and moved out of the house.

My oldest son got married four years ago, and my husband and I gained a daughter-in-law. They just welcomed their second baby into their nest, and I’ve wholeheartedly embraced the name “Grandma.”

My middle son is a first responder and serves our country in the Armed Forces. He is currently deployed. I look forward to having him back on US soil.

My daughter just got a cool remote job and moved to Florida last year where beach life seems to be agreeing with her.

Through all this, my blog has shifted from a personal journal to a valuable resource that provides travel inspiration to those who long to explore all the United States offers.

You’ll find a wide range of posts here on Travel Inspired Living, with an emphasis on things to do in Ohio but that’s not all I write about.

The Giant Coffee Pot is located along Old Route 30 in Bedford, Pennsylvania.

A recurring theme is road trips within the U.S. and things to do on those road trips.

You’ll find many posts on roadside attractions– from the Coffee Pot shaped building on the Historic Lincoln Highway to the Blue Whale of Catoosa found on Route 66 to the lesser-known Horse Cemetery located minutes from Interstate 75 in Kentucky.

I also share historic attractions, unique places to sleep, local, state, and national parks, and more.