Rooted Wanderings is a travel website dedicated to helping people plan their next adventures – from local travel to international travel, our writers cover it all!

Matt Heffner

Matt Heffner

Matt Heffner is a lover of all things Michigan, Maine, & more. He will never get tired of exploring the unique places across the US and he’s always ready for a new travel adventure!

Owner, Director, and Chief Explorer of VisitMaine.net, AwesomeMitten.com, and RootedWanderings.com.

Ashley Pichea

Ashley Pichea

Ashley Pichea is the Content Manager for RootedWanderings.com and curates in-depth travel guides and deep-dives on hidden gem destinations across the US for sites like AwesomeMitten.comVisitMaine.net, and more. As a content management specialist, she is well-versed in keyword research and SEO-friendly content.

She is also a wife and busy mom of five kids ranging from preschool to high school. Her personal website (PicheaPlace.com) features faith, family travel, and home management.

James Andersen - staff writer at RootedWanderings.com

James Andersen

An award-winning journalist with more than a dozen years of experience writing/editing for a daily newspaper, James also has several years of experience as a freelancer, contributing articles on a variety of topics for print and digital publications.

In his current role, he serves as a staff writer and content editor for a handful of US travel-related websites, including Awesome Mitten, Rooted in Ohio, Wandering Smoky Mountains, and VisitMaine.net.

Nina Thomas

Nina Thomas

A lover of new experiences and fun road trips, Nina enjoys local and worldwide travel. She seeks authentic adventures ranging from wilderness camping to fine dining.

Her passion is to share her experiences with others, so they can get the most out of their travels. Her travel motto comes from a woman she met locally who told her, “Always have a trip planned.”

She’s the author of the book, “How to Be Your Own Travel Agent,” available on Amazon.