Vicarious Captivations

03/15/2026

Empty Nesters: Designing the Next Chapter

Brad and I are empty nesters now, and like many people who arrive at this stage of life, we’ve been quietly reshaping what the next chapter might look like.

Years ago, we bought a big home on a big piece of property. The idea was simple: make sure there was always room for all the kids—his and mine—whenever life brought them home. We chose the location carefully, too, settling near two of them. Not long after, another moved close as well.

We imagined a house that would always be full.

Oddly enough, it rarely is.

The kids are grown. Their lives are busy. They visit, but they don’t often stay.

So Brad and I began asking a simple question: What should this space become now?

Our answer was to open it up.

We created a guest suite in our basement with its own entrance and built a small cabin on the property. Both projects became labors of love. Planning them. Prepping them. Building them. Hosting people in them.

Something unexpected happened along the way.

Brad and I grew closer through the process.

There is something powerful about building something together—not just structures, but an idea.

And as we welcomed guests into those spaces, another thought began forming: maybe we could cast the net wider.

Maybe the lifestyle we were quietly crafting could exist somewhere else too.

Last spring, we decided to “kick the tires” a little and window-shop in Central America. That’s how we connected with a remarkably knowledgeable realtor, Tedd Tennis, who, as it turns out, was originally from nearby Lansing, Michigan.

I arrived with a thousand questions. He listened patiently, answered thoughtfully, and eventually began showing us properties.

The third one nearly stopped us in our tracks.

It was terrifyingly close to what we had imagined.

Airy. Beautiful. Quiet. Space to walk. Space to pause. Space to reflect.

The kind of place where life might slow down just enough for people to notice it again.

Dear friends who believed in our somewhat grand scheme helped us pull together the resources to make it happen. A surprisingly good interest rate didn’t hurt either.

So now we own a home in Pedasí, Panama.

The reactions from the kids have been…mixed.

My son thinks we’re a little crazy. Maybe selfish. Possibly narrow-minded.

My daughter just shrugs and says it’s another box I’ve checked—a goal realized.

Brad’s son, a surfer, was immediately intrigued.

His daughters? Mostly indifferent.

And that’s okay.

Because the truth is, this chapter of life isn’t about pleasing everyone else.

Brad and I are busy designing something new.

A lifestyle.

A brand.

A way of living we’ve started calling Una Buena Caminata—a good walk.

Alongside it: Cabaña Caminata La Pausa, a place for guests to stay, breathe, and slow down.

And the broader idea behind it all: the GoodWander lifestyle.

Retirement is just within reach. Not an ending, but an opening.

We’re looking forward to becoming part of the community in Pedasí. Making friends. Learning rhythms different from the ones we’ve always known.

And yes, hopefully hosting family when the mood strikes them.

But mostly, we’re building a life that feels honest to us.

Because here’s the truth we keep returning to:

Life gives each of us one run.

It’s finite. Fragile. Unpredictable.

And what we do with it is largely up to us.

So our plan is simple.

Burn brightly. Wander well. And keep walking until the road ends.

If you’re an empty nester—or approaching that season—I’m curious:

Where is life pulling you next?
What dreams waited patiently while you raised children and built careers?
What kind of place would invite you to slow down and breathe again?
And if you could design the next chapter entirely on your terms…what might it look like?

Welcome to the walk.

Una Buena Caminata.

02/21/2026

Una Buena Caminata: Your Private Retreat in Pedasí 🌿🐋🐢

Experience Panama’s Pacific coast like never before. Una Buena Caminata is a spacious, thoughtfully designed retreat base—perfect for couples or small groups seeking privacy, comfort, and effortless access to nature.

Set on over half an acre of lush gardens, the villa includes:
• Two serene bedrooms, each with en-suite bath
• Caminata La Pausa, a separate garden cabana with private bath and kitchenette
• Spacious great room with large kitchen island, perfect for shared meals or quiet mornings
• Saltwater pool, shaded outdoor areas, and covered parking
• Concierge-style support for private yoga, massage, fishing excursions, island trips, and dining guidance

⸻

Seasonal Wildlife at Your Doorstep

February – April: Olive Ridley turtles begin nesting along Playa El Arenal. Witness early hatchlings or guided tours under the stars.
May – June: Peak turtle season—watch mothers lay eggs on quiet beaches.
July – October: Humpback whale season. Mothers, calves, and breaches just offshore. Explore with trusted local captains or Pedasí Tours.
November – January: Green turtles arrive, afternoons refresh with tropical showers, and the coast is lush and quiet—ideal for reflection and retreat.

⸻

Una Buena Caminata lets you experience this natural rhythm without compromising comfort or privacy. Return each day from wildlife excursions to your private villa, settle by the pool, and let the warm Pacific breeze slow your pace.

📍 Pedasí, Panama
✨ April & May perks: early check-in + welcome gift
🔗 Airbnb link available by message or in comments

02/07/2026

Una Buena Caminata….Pedasi, Panama….night one in Panama City… Flytip.pa to Pedasi…you deserve it!!;)

02/07/2026

The sky was beautiful last night.

So beautiful, in fact, that Brad turned the headlights off.

Before anyone panics—yes, it was safe. A quiet country road, driven slowly, not another soul in sight. In that simple, intentional act of temporarily removing technology, the world opened up. The sky spilled itself across us—vast, ancient, patient. Stars you don’t see when you rush. Beauty you miss when you insist on constant illumination.

It struck me how rarely we allow ourselves to do that anymore. To dim. To pause. To trust our senses instead of our systems.

Earlier that evening, I had done something similar, though perhaps more socially disruptive. We were in a warm, humming restaurant when I noticed something extraordinary just beyond the windows—large, shining icicles clustered together, catching and refracting the light like glass sculptures. Without hesitation, I stood, crossed the room, stepped close to a table of patrons, and took the photograph.

This is the moment people who don’t know me well tend to cringe.

Not because I was rude or intrusive—but because I did exactly what I wanted to do. I followed curiosity and beauty without first asking permission from fear, convention, or imagined judgment.

I never hurt others. I don’t trample boundaries. But I do engage fully with the world around me.

That way of living often surprises people.

I’ve walked into kitchens in Spain simply to meet a chef and offer gratitude. I’ve climbed staircases at concerts—not because the music was there, but because it wasn’t. The musicians were on the stage below, and I longed for the best view—the bird’s-eye perspective that lets you see the whole composition, not just hear it.

Again and again, the same truth reveals itself: most of what we think we’re not allowed to do is simply an untested assumption.

Thoreau wrote of wanting to “live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” For me, that isn’t bravado—it’s presence. It’s slowing enough to notice what’s available. Trusting the quiet nudge toward wonder.

That is Una Buena Caminata—a good walk measured not in miles, but in awareness. And it is the soul of the GoodWander Lifestyle.

Good wandering isn’t reckless. It’s reverent. It’s choosing curiosity over complacency. It’s receiving pleasure rather than postponing it.

Sometimes that means turning off the headlights.
Sometimes it means standing up in a restaurant.
Sometimes it means climbing the stairs—not to get closer to the music, but to see it clearly.

So I’ll leave you with this—

What are you longing to step into?

You don’t need permission.
Just presence.

And perhaps… the courage to take one good step.

01/18/2026

Considering a warmer chapter—full-time or part-time? Take a thoughtful look at Panama.
For those exploring life beyond borders, Panama continues to stand out as a welcoming, well-structured option—especially through its Pensionado Visa, one of the most established and respected residency programs in the world.
Often misunderstood as only for traditional retirees, the Pensionado Visa is available to anyone with a guaranteed lifetime pension income (typically $1,000+ USD/month), regardless of age. Social Security, military pensions, government or private pensions all qualify. The application process is straightforward and handled locally through a Panamanian attorney, with clear requirements and predictable timelines.
What residency actually looks like:
• Permanent residency status, not a temporary visa
• Minimal stay requirement (as little as one visit every two years)
• No tax on foreign-sourced income
• Ability to own property, open bank accounts, and establish utilities
• Pathway to a Panamanian ID (cédula), which activates national discounts
Everyday benefits that quietly add up:
• 50% off movies, concerts, and cultural events
• 25% off utilities and restaurant bills
• Reduced airfare, hotel rates, and medical services
• Prescription discounts and priority healthcare access
Beyond the visa itself, Panama offers a level of ease that surprises many first-time visitors. The U.S. dollar circulates alongside the Panamanian balboa, eliminating currency risk. Healthcare is modern and accessible, with English-speaking doctors in major regions. Regional airlines and highways make it possible to move easily between coast, countryside, and city.
Housing remains comparatively affordable, with titled properties widely available and strong protections for foreign buyers. From cool mountain towns to small coastal communities, there is a wide range of lifestyles—often within a few hours of each other.
While the Pensionado Visa generally restricts traditional employment, it supports something many are seeking instead:
financial predictability, a gentler pace, and the freedom to live well without constant motion.
At Una Buena Caminata, we meet many guests who arrive curious—drawn by nature, quiet roads, and space to breathe—and leave with a longer view. Some return seasonally. Some begin planning. Some simply walk a little slower.
Panama doesn’t demand a decision.
It invites a consideration.
If you’re exploring what life here can look like—whether as a second home, a soft landing, or a future chapter—we’re always happy to share what we’re learning, one good walk at a time.
🌞🌿
Good Wander.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1468959902390451739?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

12/30/2025

Who is ready for a warm weather holiday? Visit Una Buena Caminata, in Pedasi, Panama. Allow me to help curate your stay….

10/23/2025

Una Buena Caminata’s: ‘Caminata La Pausa’

10/23/2025

Living Well as an Art Form
by Amy Soumis
To me, living well is not about luxury — it’s about intention. It’s an art form, one that requires as much creativity and courage as painting, composing, or designing. The raw materials are time, attention, and gratitude; the medium is how we choose to live our days.
Living well means building a life that feels beautiful from the inside out — one where every detail, from how you greet the morning to how you set a table or care for a guest, holds quiet purpose. It’s not a performance or a pursuit of perfection. It’s a form of composition — one brushstroke of choice and mindfulness at a time.
In Panama, where the pace is slower and the rhythm of nature insists on being noticed, I’ve learned that beauty doesn’t demand extravagance. It emerges from the way light falls through palm leaves, the sound of rain on a tile roof, the laughter shared over a locally caught meal. At Una Buena Caminata, I see this philosophy come to life: guests finding balance in stillness, joy in simplicity, inspiration in connection.
Living well, then, is not something to acquire — it’s something to practice. It’s the ability to hold both effort and ease, to work hard at something meaningful and then rest fully in its reward. It’s hospitality, not just as service, but as an offering of care — to oneself, to others, to the place that holds you.
I’ve come to see that when we live well, we create well. The two are inseparable. Our homes, our travels, our conversations — they all become brushstrokes in the painting of a good life.
So, I ask:
What does your art of living look like?
What colors do you choose each day?
Because to live well is to choose with intention — and to treat life itself as the masterpiece it was meant to be.

10/23/2025

Caminata La Pausa: Crafting Comfort and Character, One Tile at a Time
Look at this bathroom! It’s more than a renovation — it’s a story of craftsmanship, patience, and place.
When we imagined what the bathroom in Caminata La Pausa should feel like, we pictured a space that connected guests to the natural textures and rhythm of the Azuero Peninsula. Something grounded in the earth and sea — timeless, not trendy.
Now, standing in the finished space, that vision feels beautifully realized. The shower floor features sheets of coral tile, its surface naturally uneven, as if shaped by the tides themselves. The walls rise in a basketweave of stone, each piece catching light in its own way. And then there are the windows — custom-built by local artisans — perfectly imperfect, filtering in Pedasí’s golden morning sun.
Of course, creating beauty in rural Panama isn’t without its challenges. Each material came with a story — some required creative sourcing, others demanded the steady hands and problem-solving minds of Gary and our local builders. A project that began with a 15-day timeline stretched into two months. But that’s the rhythm of the Azuero: slower, more intentional, always worth the wait.
Today, Caminata La Pausa stands ready to welcome guests into this new space — a serene casita designed for privacy, reflection, and rest. Whether you’re here for a honeymoon, a creative retreat, or simply a quiet escape, this little corner of Una Buena Caminata invites you to pause, breathe, and soak it all in.
Come see for yourself.
Experience Una Buena Caminata — and the art of living slowly — one thoughtful detail at a time.

10/04/2025

Sold!!

‘PENDING’…..mmmmmhmmmmmm