Cotty and Judi circa 2007

They first crossed paths in the back seat of a 1997 Toyota 4Runner on a spontaneous trip to Hemlock. Judi had hopped in with strangers—knowing only that she’d be picked up at 11 a.m., the drive was two hours, and hungry travelers would need fuel. She arrived armed with Finch’s deluxe baguette sandwiches and homemade Joodee Cookies, setting the stage for what would become countless adventures together. Fast-forward to 2013, and join them on their latest epic mission: a drive from Vancouver to Key West by way of Toronto in their trusty VW Golf, affectionately named “the Blue Gnu.” Time and money may be tight, but the quest for adventure is boundless.

2025 Update!

Cotty and Judi 2025

The trio is gearing up for their biggest adventure yet—driving the Blue Gnu clear across Canada in the grip of a polar vortex. Undeterred by frigid temperatures, they’re planning to load their trusty VW Golf into a shipping container bound for Rotterdam, where they’ll reunite in early March. From there, the goal is simple (yet undeniably ambitious): visit every country in Europe without overstaying their welcome in the Schengen Zone! Let the next epic chapter begin.