Donna Shields

Donna Shields, MS, RD was bit by wanderlust some 30 years ago and is still on the road. With numerous worldwide home exchanges under her belt, she splits time between Key West and Colorado while not gallivanting elsewhere. Her years as a food and nutrition writer means she’s always sniffing out the good eats and seeks out the nooks and crannies most others would pass by. Her recent 3-month motorcycle jaunt across Mexico is testament that the adventure is not over just because you’re over 60. Through Open Mind Adventures, she brings small groups to places where she’s done the legwork. Join her and Gary in Puerto Escondido, MX Feb 10-16, 2023 to discover one of their fav beachside towns. Trip details can be found here or email Donna at [email protected]

Finding A Part-Time Home in Oaxaca

Living the Good Life

By Donna Shields March 5, 2023

How perfect to take a four-month scouting trip to find your next part-time home. That’s exactly what we’re doing. After a three-month motorcycle trip through Mexico in 2022 hitting some 30+ towns, Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido were both worth a deeper dive.

Biking The Baja California Peninsula

Editors Choice

By Donna Shields October 26, 2022

After traipsing across mainland Mexico by motorcycle for two-and-a-half months, our plan was to wind down the trip with a zig-zag route up the Baja peninsula, eventually crossing the U.S. border in Arizona. While we could have re-entered the U.S. through Texas, we were adamant that Baja had to be part of this Mexican whirlwind adventure.

Mexico’s Million Dollar View: Exploring Copper Canyon

Editors Choice

By Donna Shields July 28, 2022

Riding Copper Canyon on a motorcycle is on every biker’s bucket list, and I was no exception. We purposely arranged our Mexico itinerary to include Copper Canyon, located in the state of Chihuahua (not far from the Texas border).

My Two-Wheel Adventure Through Mexico

Editors Choice

By Donna Shields May 15, 2022

When I agreed to a three-month motorcycle journey through Mexico, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into. Sure, I had done week-long trips through Colorado, where I live part time, on a comfy Harley. But rough roads, tools for all types of repairs, and a wardrobe spanning a wide range of temperatures—all on a BMW touring bike...