Two years ago - on the first Road Scholars trip my wife and I ever took - we connected in a big way with more than a third of the forty people travelling with us to two National Parks in Alaska. The bond with these folks was so strong that last year fourteen of us had our first reunion in Rocky Mountain National Park. And that trip was so magical we began the planning for this year's reunion after just three days in Colorado. We settled this time on a late summer trip to the Adirondacks.
Had anyone had told me just two years ago that one day in my near future I would willingly sign up for a trip focusing on birding and local flora, I would have told them they needed their meds adjusted. But these last four days have focused on exactly those things and I couldn't have been more happy. I have not become a birder. Adirondack region or otherwise, I'll continue to need my wife by my side to identify anything aside from grass or daisies. But the twelve folks we just spent four days with - ten of whom were also in Colorado last year - are such an interesting, enriching, and affirming group that I eagerly anticipate 2018's adventure. We've already started a conversation about the Pacific Northwest, my second favorite place in the US, and home to one couple who joined us in Alaska and Colorado but were unable to be here this year. I am seriously pumped to have all sixteen of us in the same place next year.
The last period in my life I can recall connecting so genuinely with a group of people this large was when I was an undergraduate. What comparable gift have you received that was worth a long wait?
That is so awesome. We took a trip with Road Scholar to India in Feb. 2015 and it was amazing. We have stayed in touch but no reunions. If you are ever contemplating another RS trip, let us know and we may join you. On our "bucket list" is Russia - St. Petersburg and Moscow - perhaps a river cruise. If anyone out there has that on their bucket list, let me know. We can coordinate.
ReplyDeleteInes; Thanks for the comment. This 2nd reunion in the Adirondacks has been even better than the first one in Colorado. And, if any reader of my blog sees our back and forth here and then lets me know (online or off) about wanting to go to Russia, I'll put them in touch with you.
ReplyDeletePat, very nice. I'm still on a little cloud about how wonderful the trip was. It was really great to be with you and Kim, who did all the excellent planning for this trip. It is a great group! May we all have many happy reunions!
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Katherine; Thanks for reading and your positive feedback. And you're so welcome; it was our pleasure to plan for such a great group of folks!
DeleteHi Pat, Great blog! I, too, feel goose-bumpy grateful to connect with and travel with such a wonderful group of people. Thank you to you and Kim for organizing us so wonderfully this year! I am so looking forward to next year's adventure. Here, here to many happy reunions!
ReplyDeleteBeni; Thanks for the kind words and for reading the post. And you're welcome for the organizing; it was fun introducing wonderful folks to places and stuff in an area we cherish.
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