We’re baaaack!
Fear not, the school year has returned and with it our feeble attempts to share our tales of epic teen adventures, globetrotting, and... well, let's just say our blogging hiatus was due to frenetic energy release and not a lack of motivation!
Did you miss us? Think we’re lost in the woods? Eaten by bears?
(Or didn’t notice we were gone? Keep that one to yourself.)
Fear not, the school year has returned and with it our feeble attempts to share our tales of epic teen adventures, globetrotting, and... well, let's just say our blogging hiatus was due to frenetic energy release and not a lack of motivation!
No, we weren't watching the grass grow and binging TV (well, maybe a wee bit of Ted Lasso). We were off leading the kind of teen adventures that could rival Indiana Jones' exploits, minus the cool hat.
First, it was off to the wilds of North Carolina in early June. We're talking playing Tarzan on a high ropes course and zip line, strolling along the Appalachian Trail to visit a thru-hiker shelter, swimming in creeks that might or might not have been the set of The Last of the Mohicans, and discovering waterfalls like we were on a real-life treasure hunt.
Amelia has a great attitude and fantastic taste in hoodies
Oh, but that's not all! In late June, we jetted off to Maine for a classic New England getaway.
Climbing and an afternoon hike? All in a day’s work!
We swapped out the ropes course and zip line for climbing gear and scaled rocks like Spider-Man's slightly clumsier cousins. Then, we channeled our inner Tour de France contenders as we biked the picturesque carriage roads in Acadia – only a few mishaps and wrong turns, promise!
Lunch at Jordan Pond House, then a race to the finish!
And then there was sea kayaking along the Maine Island Trail. Our pals at Sea Kayak Stonington hooked us up with brand new boats and guided us to our very own private islands.
Photo: Michael Daugherty @seakayakstonington ig
Lastly, we ventured into Baxter State Park, where we hiked through rain, fog, and what felt like a cloud factory gone haywire.
Rain and fog? Of course, it’s Baxter.
As if that wasn't enough, we even managed to squeeze in some personal travel. Emily was off to Vancouver and its mountainous charm, while Allen scouted a route at O’Bannon Woods for future trips (coming soon…).
We even made time for a family getaway to Syracuse, NY for some actual R&R!
Family time? What’s that?
But alas, there’s no rest for the weary. Yes, we're already back in the classroom, ready to impart wisdom and knowledge to the young minds of tomorrow – and maybe slip in a few stories of our summer adventures for good measure. If nothing else, we’ll surely spend some time daydreaming about the summer that was.
So, there you have it, friends. We might have been MIA for a while, but trust us, it was all for a good cause. Now we’ll catch our breath, share a few stories, and make plans for future adventures.
Now, where to next…?
Meet Your Guides- Emily Ross
You know those people who “light up a room?” Where laughter follows their movements at social events? Whose stories often fall somewhere between “I didn’t know that,” and “you’ve got to be kidding me?” Allow us to introduce you to Emily. You can thank us later.
You know those people who “light up a room?” Where laughter follows their movements at social events? Whose stories often fall somewhere between “I didn’t know that,” and “you’ve got to be kidding me?” Allow us to introduce you to Emily. You can thank us later.
Emily is the Yin to Allen's Yang; you will not soon forget her boundless energy, contagious enthusiasm and curiosity, and her infectious laughter. Oh, and her meals are killer, too.
Patagonia 2019
As for her experience?
Teaching middle school in New Zealand? Check.
Au pair in Scotland? Check.
The Cappadocia Loop in Turkey? Also... check.
Glacier routes in Iceland and Mount Rainier? Uh huh.
Hiking Machu Picchu? By the rugged Salcantay Route? Yep.
How about a “date” with Allen, backpacking through Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia? While 6 months pregnant? Of course.
Solo travel in the Masai Mara? Italy? Greece? The Netherlands? Estonia? Australia? Well, you get the picture. She hasn't done it ALL, but she hopes to soon!
At home in the desert
Emily provides a wealth of knowledge and perspective from her travels on 6 continents, yet maintains a sense of wonder and a yearning for "what's next?!" With 17+ years of experience as a Montessori educator, she is a master of turning work into play. She especially loves the canyons of the Southwest and sunny beaches all over the world.
Emily is a lover of art, music, and great food, a long distance runner, and a world- class mother. We’re sure you’ll get along famously.
(You’re welcome)
The Company You Keep…
As a travel program director, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most reputable outdoor education programs in the world. These programs provide students with unique opportunities to learn about themselves and the world around them, while also gaining valuable skills that they can use throughout their lives.
As a travel program director, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most reputable outdoor education programs in the world. These programs provide students with unique opportunities to learn about themselves and the world around them, while also gaining valuable skills that they can use throughout their lives. While certainly not an inclusive list, the following folks have been instrumental in shaping who we are as a program.
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS):
NOLS is the leader in the field of outdoor education. In the fall 1994, I spent a semester climbing and skiing through the mountains of Wyoming and exploring the canyons of southeast Utah. Here I learned not only the “hard skills” that taught me to be technically proficient, but also how to weigh risk, predict outcomes, and communicate effectively with my peers. It was the hardest, most rewarding 94 days of my life.
NOLS offers programs all around the world, ranging from 7 days to an entire year in length.
The outdoor classroom
Outward Bound is one of the oldest and most respected outdoor education programs in the world. Founded in 1941 in the UK, Outward Bound has been providing students with transformative experiences for over 80 years. Our first experience with OB was in 1997 at a Wilderness First Responder training course. Since then, Mags has also completed a river course in Oregon with these fine folks.
Wilderness Medicine Institute:
WMI is a leader in the field of wilderness medicine. Now a part of NOLS, they offer initial certifications, continuing education, certifications for medical professionals, and search and rescue courses. We have now completed 7 WFR recertification courses with WMI, and they continue to modernize their curriculum and standards to match the best practices of the ever- evolving field of medicine.
Our go-to guide service in the Rockies, the always friendly folks in Estes Park have led our climbing trips since 2008. The Colorado Mountain School offers a wide range of courses, from beginner-level courses to advanced courses in ice climbing and mountaineering, and has programs in some of the most beautiful and challenging mountain ranges in the world.
Last, but certainly not least, is our home away from home. At Prescott College, the world is your classroom. Writing research papers by campfire light after 8 hours of paddling whitewater is standard fare for a student in the outdoor education program. Want to learn Spanish while also studying coastal biology? There’s a base at Kino Bay, Mexico. An internship guiding mountains in Nepal would not be out of the ordinary, and senior projects have produced curriculum guides, sustainable farms in Central America, and art exhibitions across the country.
Maybe you can’t take the boy out of Prescott
The writer, Dick Schaap, often said that his favorite pastime was “collecting people.” We’ve been fortunate through the years to be involved in a community where we can say the same. Thanks to all of you for letting us play along!
Tough Sledding
It’s been tough sledding around here lately. We know that time heals, but the passage of that time can be staggeringly painful. That time can move unbelievably slowly. If you are feeling the weight of these times, there are numerous community resources available.
I called to check on a friend in New York in late September, 2001. The new reality of a post- 9/11 world was still in its infancy.
This person was more of a mentor than a friend at that time, and I was unsure how to navigate the uncomfortable conversation and the answers that were likely forthcoming.
“How are you guys?” I asked.
“You know, it’s been tough sledding. Almost everyone we know has been affected directly. We’ve lost a lot of good people.”
As the conversation progressed, I realized that it wasn’t difficult, and it wasn’t uncomfortable. I learned that it wasn’t about me, it was about listening. And about just reaching out to say “hi,” and “we’re thinking about you.”
I’ve had a few similar conversations this past week, mostly at home, as this town is dealing with the heartbreak of yet another mass shooting, this time at a local bank. The lessons from 20+ years ago hold true today:
Call your people.
Say hello.
Let them talk.
It’s been tough sledding around here lately. We know that time heals, but the passage of that time can be staggeringly painful. That time can move unbelievably slowly. If you are feeling the weight of these times, there are numerous community resources available.
Or give us a call.
We’d be glad to join you for a walk.
And just listen.
Foreign travel, for dummies.
We like to think of ourselves as experts in travel. We’re quick through the airport, we take only what we need, and rarely forget key items. Well, the last part isn’t true, but two out of three ain’t bad.
We like to think of ourselves as experts in travel. We’re quick through the airport, we take only what we need, and rarely forget key items. Well, the last part isn’t true, but two out of three ain’t bad.
There are definitely times, though, when we’ve been reminded that no matter how well planned, travel in and of itself is an uncertain endeavor. Some of the best lessons learned while traveling abroad have also been our most embarrassing.
First and foremost, nothing compares to the pure joy of getting lost in a foreign city. Whether it's misreading a map or taking a wrong turn, you're bound to find yourself in some pretty strange situations. But don't worry, it's all part of the adventure!
Take 2: the right direction
Most recently we found ourselves in Sayulita, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It’s a tiny town, which one would think impossible to be lost in. But we’re overachievers around here, so not only did we manage to “lose” our AirBnB, we also found a way to go the wrong way down one of the only one way streets in town.
During a national holiday. Go us!
Next up, let's talk about language barriers. Have you ever tried ordering food in a foreign language? It's a recipe for disaster! I once tried to order a vegetarian dish in Chile and used bravado and bad Spanish acquire a lamb stew. Whoops! But hey, at least I got some protein in my diet, right?
Oh… I meant “sin carne…”
And let's not forget about cultural differences. You might think you know a thing or two about a foreign culture, but trust me, you have no idea. Emily has made multiple trips to Turkey, but her first visit will always be the grandest adventure.
Wanting to “fit in,” and “experience the culture like a native,” she accepted an invitation to a Turkish bath. What ensued was a going over akin to what I imagine walking through an automatic car wash might be like. She was oiled, rolled, pushed and prodded, and well…
If you’ve never heard her tell the story, you are missing one of life’s great laughs.
When Em tells a story, prepare for tears of laughter
But the best part about foreign travel is the stories you come back with. Who needs souvenirs when you can regale your friends with tales of getting lost, ordering stewed meat instead of a salad, and being cleansed by 300 lb Turkish women? It's the gift that keeps on giving!
Getting out there, especially through foreign travel is not only valuable for broadening your horizons and expanding your worldview, but it also frequently leads to high comedy and a collection of stories to last a lifetime. So pack your bags, grab your phrasebook, and get ready to laugh your way around the world!