Hiking, Travel Diary, Trip Planning, United States, Walking Holidays

Group Trip 2018

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For those who may not know it, my cohort MaryR & I founded a group called the No. 1 Ladies Hiking Society in 2016. We’re now up to 399 members (just can’t seem to reach 400), & it’s time to plan a big group trip. But we’re an adventurous group, willing to explore ANYWHERE, so where to go…hmmm…
We could certainly go rogue & do all the planning ourselves, OR we could prevent more gray hairs from sprouting atop my head & opt for a company that provides guided group hikes. Guided trips are certainly more expensive but they provide a richer experience & are MUCH easier to plan. Since I’ve been researching options, I thought I’d share some of my favorites so far. Prices below are per person based on double occupancy (a single room will always cost extra) & airfare is NOT included, so keep this in mind if price is your determining factor. Trips are listed in order of my personal favorites:
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Reflections & Humor

The Three Wise Women

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I said goodbye today to a very special woman. She made up a triumverate we called “the Three Wise Women.” These three women shaped who I am today and will continue to influence me in the future, even after they are gone.

My earliest memory of Sr. Justina is her dressed in a full clown costume. This is probably not my actual first memory (since she babysat me when I was a newborn), but I grew up with photos of her in clown costumes so it’s the image that always pops into my head. And it’s an apt image, because no one could embody a better image of childlike joy than Sr. Justina. To know her was to experience pure joy & unconditional love. At her funeral today, her gift for hospitality was mentioned & it was spot on! Even in her later years in a tiny simple apartment, Sr. Justina always invited people to visit & she made sure to have a cup of coffee & “something for the sweet tooth.”
Some people start out joyful but lose their sunshine when faced with adversity — that was NOT Sr. Justina. Twenty years of cancer & grueling pain never took the twinkle from her eyes or the mischievous Cajun humor. I didn’t get to spend much time with her as I became an adult, but the rare moments I had with her were enough to teach me the grace of suffering. And the influence she had on my mom & godmother somehow transferred to me even when she wasn’t part of my daily life. The Three Wise Women showed me what friendship should look like & that aging gracefully isn’t about anti-wrinkle cream — it’s about becoming the woman God designed us to be.
To my Mom & Nanny who said goodbye to their best friend today, I love you & I hope for many more years of your wisdom.
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Travel Diary, Trip Planning

Solo Female Travel Resources

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“Traveling solo does not always mean you’re alone. Most often, you meet marvelous people along the way and make connections that last a lifetime.” – Jacqueline Boone

At the presentation I did in October for a women’s conference, I promised to share some resources for women who want to travel but don’t have anyone to travel with. Ladies, this is by no means a comprehensive list but it’s a good start. There are TONS of informal groups & tour companies that specialize in travel for women & they all have pros & cons. If you opt for a tour company, expect to pay around $2000 or more (guided trips are always more expensive). If you need a more affordable option & are willing to put in a little work, look for travel clubs (search online by the region you want to visit OR look on sites like Meetup.com).

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