Hey Evie,
Thanks for the tips.
The line between swingers and poly is really thin. We have a female friend whom we both love. When she comes to visit we have fun. We are open and try to be inclusive. I don't think we really fall under any actual label. We find it very hard to find like-minded people who want to fulfill each other's want and hearts.
I think of swinging as sort of like the dating, and the poly sort of the love afterwards. Actually, I don't like either label and would rather just consider us as open.
I will check out Fetlife, but would also like to post here. Cheers.
Polyamory means many loves. Swingers have sex with others. Usually it's kept more or less casual, on purpose, as the original couple doesn't want their sex partners to become full-on lovers, partners, with all that entails. It sounds like you want to start new relationships with threesome sex first, and see where things go from there. It's fairly easy to find casual sex in swinger circles. It's harder to find someone to love. Deep love, not just new relationship energy, and fun times, and good sex. Real love takes time to develop. You want someone who's here for a long time, not just a good time.
It's good to be really clear with potential dating partners about what you plan to offer to them, long term. If they're just a fun side piece to spice up your marriage, that's entirely different from someone who wants a long-term and fairly equal relationship. Also, in polyamory, the famous unicorn generally has little power or control in a threeway relationship. That is why prescribed triads rarely work out long term, usually fizzling after a few weeks, months or two years, tops.
It's good you have an out-of-town gf who is fun to hang out with and have sex with from time to time, but it sounds like you want someone local, who will have deeper relationships with both of you.
You could try reading the book
Opening Up to get clearer on what kind of relationships you/your wife can offer to anyone. (Remember, each of you will have your own relationship with her.) This book addresses three categories of ENM: swinging, open relationships and polyamory. It's based on interviews with dozens of practitioners of ENM.
Polyamory is not "a scene," or "the lifestyle." It's a love style. It is actually quite different from swinging.