Packing Lists are useful for any trip

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Marian and Deb

One might think that as guides, we have been going on trips for so long that we just know what to pack for ourselves. While there are many of the basics that remain the same, each trip has enough different elements that autopilot packing does not always work. Plus, we are busy (like everyone else) before going on a trip and our minds can be in a million places trying to take care of loose ends.

So whenever I set off to guide a trip, I print out our trip information document and use the enclosed packing list for my own personal gear. They are detailed and include all the essentials you may need. Plus the checklist format makes it simple to just tick off what you have packed. These packing lists are accessible to anyone, even those not coming on the trip (in fact someone once emailed me saying he had used our packing list for a personal Grand Canyon trip). The link is posted in the “more information here” section of each trip’s web page. You click on “download complete trip information here” hyperlink and it takes you to the trip document. Packing lists are usually 2-3 pages down.

A packing list would have definitely “saved” my latest vacation, even though it is not a trip our company offers.

Sean and I went to Canada to a really remote, semi-rustic family cabin. It is a 10 hour drive from our house in Minneapolis, to just outside of Armstrong, Ontario. Then it is a 26 mile boat ride up the lake to where only 4 cabins reside, bordering on Wabikimi Wilderness. It is really incredible.

We remembered to pack the non-cotton long underwear, and the rain gear. We knew to bring the 20F sleeping bag and our head lamps. We remembered water shoes, hiking shoes and bathing suits. We even remembered to bring paddles, portage pads, canoe tie-down straps and a dry bag, even though we didn’t yet own a canoe. We made a grocery list as we drove and talked about our timing of meeting the boat at the dock to get to the cabin.

But about 2.5 hours out of Minneapolis, we remembered that we did not have our passports! Going into Canada from the US by car requires a passport now and we had forgotten. I knew Marian had once forgotten her i.d. when flying to a trip start and after much talking with TSA, they let her through to the plane without it. With fingers crossed, we called the US border and Canadian border stations. The U.S. said they would not refuse their own citizens coming back from Canada, if Canada had let us cross. Unfortunately, the Canadian rules were strict. We needed a passport or a driver’s license and birth certificate.

Since we had forgotten anything beyond our driver’s licenses, we had to go back home to get them. My wonderful spouse knows I hate riding in the car for hours on end, so he dropped me in Duluth, MN and he drove the 4+ round trip hours to get them. We had a terrific vacation despite this, but I know that if we had an AGC packing list we never would have left home without the passports!

And, I still wonder what would have happened if we had gotten all the way to the border without our passports. Would they have taken pity on us and let us through or would they have turned us away? Hopefully, we will never find out! – Deb

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FREE Trip for an unemployed woman

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Marian and Deb

Note; Since we first published this, someone offered to make a substantial contribution towards airfare if the person who won needed it.

We’re incredibly grateful in the current economy that enough of you have kept your jobs, and kept traveling with us, that we’ve been able to keep our jobs. But occasionally someone has canceled a trip because she just lost her job; or we see or read a story in the news about people who have been unemployed – and our hearts go out to them. We know how much these folks need vacations and it’s the last thing they can afford.

We have one space left on our Colorado Rockies Ramble and we’d like to give it to someone who has been laid off in the last 3 years and has been unemployed for at least the last 6 months. Women who have just graduated are not eligible. The free trip includes everything but travel to Denver, CO.

If this describes you, please send an email to marian@goodadventure.com with “Free trip” in the subject line by Wednesday August 16, briefly describing how you meet the criteria. On Thursday we will randomly select someone. At that point, if you are selected, we will ask for some kind of documentation about your unemployment status.

Please only send an email if you are sure you can take the trip if you’re selected. If you know someone who is eligible, please ask them to contact us directly. We need help spreading the offer as widely as possible and would welcome your assistance. Thanks! — Marian

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Choosing destinations: 12 vs 500

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Marian and Deb

One of our hardest tasks is picking destinations for new trips. We get ideas from women on our trips, from guides, and from other companies contacting us. Sometime’s it’s easy – we know there’s a high level of interest and we know it’s a great destination. Who doesn’t want to go to Tuscany? Who can pass up Scotland? It’s a no-brainer! You might not like the itinerary we choose but most of our participants who love international travel love those destinations.

But it gets difficult when we know the destination is truly exceptional but does not have widespread interest. Or when we know the destination has alot of interest but we don’t think it lives up to its hype and women will be disappointed with it. Let me give you examples of both.

In the first category is Bulgaria. Let’s face it, you probably don’t know anyone who has gone on vacation there (unless it was with us) nor is it on your list of must-see places. Probably we have been able to fill it most years because its an inexpensive destination and the price is enough to get women to stop and take a look at the itinerary – and then they realize that its a pretty fascinating country with outstanding scenery, and that plus the price makes them think about it. But if it were expensive? I don’t think we would still be offering it.

In the second category is the Inca Trail. We get requests to offer a trip there but I just don’ think its the right trip. They allow 500 people to start every day, the trail and campsites are crowded, the toilet conditions sub-optimal. I completely understand the allure of literally hiking into Machu Picchu – but is is worth it? So we’ve found an alternative trek, one that is an old trail of the Incans and a gorgeous Andean trek with a view of Machu Picchu from the trail – but you still take the train up to Machu PIcchu itself. On this trail, however, there are 12 people a day and comfortable environmentally sustainable lodges to stay in along the way. 500 vs 12? Hmmm.

The larger issue for us: do we give women what they think they want, or do we try to educate about what we think is authentic and amazing?–Marian

Posted in Bulgaria, International destinations, Musings, Sustainable travel | Tagged , | 1 Comment

First Aid Kits

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Marian and Deb

I am getting ready to guide our Magical Maine trip and am working my way through my guide-ly packing list. I am currently replenishing my first aid kit, which is pretty large and chock full of goodness when I guide. It is causing me to think about what I would actually carry if I were on my own.

There are always standards I carry: bandaids of different sizes, moleskin, ibuprofen and tylenol, diphenhydramine (like Benadryl), and some type of scissors to cut the moleskin.

Everything else depends on what kind of trip I am going on.

Hiking: might add some nail clippers, gauze wrap, iodine, blister bandaids, tweezers, and duct tape.

Kayaking: eye drops (esp. for sea water trips), Dramamine, Tegaderm bandages (for some waterproofness) and more gauze and second skin. Maybe even some body glide.

International trips: I usually add more “medications” for trips overseas – tums/pepto, immodium, water purification tablets, hydrocortisone cream, etc.

Some other things can be improvised:
*a bike water bottle with a squeeze top can be used for pressure washing out a wound.
*a fleece jacket can be tied up like a sling for a broken arm.
* sticks or other rigid items can be used to make a splint (though I do love my Sam Splint!)

We do not need large first aid kits to be safe in the wilderness. We just want to have the right stuff. What do you like to carry?

Posted in Fitness and health, Outdoor equipment, Outdoor tips, Travel tips | Leave a comment

PFDs for women

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Marian and Deb

I am not built with a very womanly shape. I have broad shoulders, a long torso and am not very ample “up front”. So when it comes to “women-specific” equipment, more often than not it does not fit me better. However, I understand the need for differently designed gear and have seen countless women through my years of guiding benefit from women-specific fit.

One area I have seen the improvement (and increasing need) in is kayaking gear. While you can get by with a boat or paddle that is not quite designed for your size or shape, a PFD that doesn’t fit is uncomfortable and unsafe.

What is a PFD and how should it fit? A personal flotation device (PFD aka lifejacket) is your most important piece of safety gear when paddling. A good PFD will provide adequate flotation, be Coast guard approved and fit properly. It should be snug around the torso with all the straps cinched down and when you pull on the shoulder straps the PFD should not rise above your lower ribs. Ultimately it should be comfortable enough that you will want to wear it when you’re on the water. Like a bike helmet hanging on your handlebars, a PFD can’t keep you safe if you aren’t wearing it!

You also want a lifejacket that is designed specifically for paddling, which means it will have less bulk around the shoulders, bigger arm holes to allow a full range of motion, and a shorter torso for comfort when sitting in a kayak.

Women, with almost any sized bosom, will feel a bit squished in a universal PFD. But in some cases, if you have a bosom that is quite ample in order to fit around your torso, you have to go up a size in PFD, which oftentimes means it is too long in the back and too loose around the shoulders. So once you sit in your kayak seat it rises up around your chin or even ears. This can cause skin abrasions while paddling and interference with your stroke; but worse, if you fell in the water, the PFD is no longer snug around you which is the key to it helping keep you safely afloat.

Women-specific PFDs: PFD designs for women usually have split paneling on the front of the jacket so that it wraps around the front of the body and keeps the bust securely in place. Some manufacturers make PFDs for women that are ‘low profile”, meaning they have less foam on the front of the jacket, especially in the chest area. Because we already have natural ‘flotation devices’ on our chest, PFDs that are bulky in the front can feel very restrictive and uncomfortable. If the PFD you’re looking at is low-pofile, coast guard approved and fits you well, then you can feel confident that it has enough flotation to float you even though it may look smaller than other designs. There are a variety of PFD manufacturers who make PFDs for women.

If you join us on a trip and have your own PFD which you find very comfortable and well-fitting, I suggest you bring it along. Most places we kayak are going to have universal sized PFDs and they may not fit you adequately. Alternatively, if you like to join other groups on kayak trips and do not have your own PFD, and end up with ill fitting ones on the trip – consider buying one that is suited for your body. It will make your trip much more enjoyable.

And really- isn’t that the goal of paddling? to be enjoyable? – deb

Posted in Outdoor equipment, Sea kayaking, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Is Women’s Travel in danger of losing what makes it special?

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Marian and Deb

Women’s travel started when Woodswomen (now defunct) took its first group canoeing in the Boundary Waters in 1977. How times have changed! Today if you google “women travel”, there are over 30 companies offering almost every conceivable type of trip to destinations all over the world. Women can go on tours that emphasize traditional sightseeing, shopping, or learning to cook: and they can learn to surf, go on a bike tour, learn to ice climb and rock climb, or be a cowgirl, all in women-only groups. In addition to the small independent companies that still predominate (like us), some of the major travel companies now offer “women-only” departures (e.g. OARS) and some companies that started independently became divisions of mass travel companies (Gutsy Women, Women’s Travel Club).

Women’s travel, while still considered a niche market, has also become mainstream. And any time a concept goes mainstream, the essence of what made it special is in danger of getting lost. Women’s travel is more than just having a female guide and no men on the trip. And it isn’t just adding yoga, more shopping, or a cooking class.

The best kind of women’s trip is one where the women in the group really connect, both on an individual and group level. To some extent this just happens almost any time a group of women gets together since most women are naturally inclined to focus on relationships, However there are ways that a trip can be structured to encourage this – or not.

Let me give you a couple of examples. If you always stay in hotels, then at the end of dinner everyone goes off to their rooms. If you’re camping, you tend to hang out together after dinner. If you’re staying at condos with a large living room, then women who need downtime can go to their room and women who want social time can stay and chat. Another example is group size. In our experience you can have one cohesive group up to about 12 people, sometimes 14. But after that it inevitably breaks down into subgroups.

Or let’s consider the role of the guide. Does the guide make her(him)self the center of the group with constant stories and jokes? Or does she facilitate conversations between women in the group? Does she expect everyone to give up her wishes for the good of the group or does she listen to the wants and needs of each person and see if they can be met? These have a big impact on how much people connect.

Now if you’re only interested in the destination or the activity, maybe you don’t care. But over and over women tell us that they loved the trip and the things they saw and did, but it was the group of women they traveled with that made it special. It’s not that I think Adventures in Good Company is the only company that pays attention to these aspects of the trip. But I’m guessing that a company that jumps into women’s travel because it’s a hot market niche probably hasn’t spent too much time thinking about these kinds of issues.

The bottom line is this: taking a standard trip and limiting it to all women or throwing in a cooking class or spa experience shortchanges what women’s travel can be at its best. While we’re happy to see the expansion of options available to women who enjoy traveling with other women, it would be sad if the mainstreaming of this niche market resulted in a loss of what makes it special. — Marian

Posted in Musings | Tagged | 2 Comments

Our first cruise!

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Marian and Deb

We understand the appeal of a cruise, we really do. The idea of a home that floats from place to place, stopping to let you see the sights and stretch your legs and then picking you back up, is pretty appealing. Not having to spend any time packing or adjusting to new surroundings- what’s not to like?

Well, on a standard cruise we think there are some downsides: large numbers of people getting off at every stop, prearranged excursions that are designed to handle hundreds of people, mass meals, and in general an experience that will introduce you to the sights of a place but not a “feel’ for a place, the kind of experience that is precluded by large crowds

our wooden sailing yacht

.

So we have avoided cruises- until now! We think cruising on a yacht that houses only our group and is small enough to moor in secluded bays is exactly the right way to see Turkey! We have just posted our new trip: http://www.adventuresingoodcompany.com/trip_display.php?id=151 and whether or not you have ever thought that cruising is appealing, it’s worth a look. In addition to everyone who wants to see Turkey, we also think it’s a great choice for women who have felt drawn to the idea of an adventure vacation but are unsure if its a good fit.

Posted in AGC News, Adventure vacations, Europe, Hiking, New Trips, Turkey | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Wool gloves and mittens

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Marian and Deb

I just returned from another trip where my wool mittens saved the hands of someone whose synthetic gloves had gotten soaked and useless. I love synthetic materials for long underwear; capilene, polypropylene, thermax etc really do keep insulating after they’re wet and they dry quickly. I am a little less sold on their reported ability to “wick” moisture away because my skin still feels damp – but the point is that even if I feel damp but I’m not cold, unlike the times I’ve worn cotton in cold weather.

Synthetic gloves, however, are a different issue. They may be able to handle dampness that comes from your hand sweating. But if your gloves get wet because you are hiking in the rain or whitewater rafting and temperatures are cool or cold (and why else would you be wearing gloves?), they are worse than useless. Really, bare hands are better.

But better still? Wool. Outdoorspeople used wools for years as their major insulating layer. But wool is bulkier, heavier, and takes longer to dry. So for long underwear, synthetic materials have been a major improvement (although newer forms of wool have been making a comeback in this area). For mittens and gloves however, in any situation where your hands are likely to get wet, wool wins hands down.

Posted in Outdoor or travel clothing, Outdoor tips | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sea kayaking in Greece, May 2011

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Marian and Deb

Greece offers the world traveler so many sites to see. Being in Athens alone is a powerful, unbelievable experience – to be standing beneath the Acropolis, one of the oldest monuments of Western civilization feels exciting and humbling. But there are also places to satisfy the adventure traveler as well. And to us, we think there is nothing better than combining physical activity with historical exploration and, of course, delicious food.

The first time we offered a Greece trip, in 2007, we offered a sea kayaking trip. Not only was it a unique way to travel in Greece, it was a way to combine physical activity, the ease and tranquility of kayaking, exploring the geological features up close, camp on remote beaches, all while visiting small villages and eating in local tavernas in a part of Greece fewer tourists visit.
For the past 2 years we traded paddles for poles (trekking) and have offered hiking in the Cyclades – also a wonderful way and part of Greece to see! For 2011, we hope to offer both. The kayaking trip is back on the schedule because, basically we like it and want to promote kayaking in countries you probably wouldn’t think of for paddling destinations.
But why is this trip for you? You love kayaking. You want to go to Greece. You want a trip where all the details are taken care of and you can truly relax. You want to experience more of Greek food than Gyros. You want an active vacation in a destination worth spending another week in seeing the historical sites.
Or how about – The color of water that is a deep blue like no other I have seen. Contrasting with the white cliffs and the green olive trees makes the sea even more magnificent. Swimming in warm seas that create spectacular buoyancy. Wind patterns that, for at least half the day, leave the seas really calm – which make for excellent paddling, swimming and snorkeling. Fresh fruit breaks. Stopping at small Greek fishing villages that are all the more special because we have gotten there by our own physical power. Visiting the Acropolis, the island of Ithaca (homeland of Odysseus) and Delphi. Not to mention the food – greek salad, souvlaki, fresh fish, skordalia, olives, wine, beer and Greek coffees – Opa!
Seriously – don’t you want this to be your vacation? – deb
Posted in Europe, New Trips, Sea kayaking | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hydration Packs

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Marian and Deb

We have written in previous blogs, newsletter articles and in the notes section of our packing list about hydration packs. But now that it is summer, and hot outside and we really will feel more thirsty I wanted to emphasize again why this piece of equipment is superior to water bottles.

For those of you who are not familiar with this – a hydration pack is a water bladder (usually 50-100 oz./1.5 -3 L ranges) that fits inside a lightweight backpack and has a long tube that stretches from the water bladder, through the pack and around to the front of you (when you wear it). There is some type of bite valve on the tube that allows you to “bite and suck” when need be, but it closes off when you want it to just hang loosely. I got my first Camelbak hydration pack for bicycling, but now I carry it for hiking and sometimes even bring it for kayaking as well.

1) You will drink more, drink more regularly and stay better hydrated. With the tube in easy reach of your hands and mouth, you can drink as you move along, as often as you want or need to. You don’t need to stop and get your water out of your pack, take your hands off the handlebars of to get your bottle out of its cage or even stop paddling very long for a quick drink.
Plus it is fun to drink from a long straw!

2) The fact that it is fitted in a fanny pack or backpack, means you also have extra room to carry camera, wallet, rain jacket, bike tools, snack, etc. The packs vary in extra cargo sizes, so pick one that is right for you. Some people object to wearing a pack while they bicycle, but honestly I hardly notice mine, and being better-hydrated makes it worth a bit of sweat on my back.

3) The water stays cold/cool longer. How many times have you stopped to drink out of your water bottle on a hot hike only to find it the palatability of bath-water? The hydration pack keeps the contents of the water bladder cold for quite a while, especially when you put ice in it. You can also freeze the bladder when it is half full, take it out the following day, top it off with water and the ice chunk will melt even more slowly than ice cubes throughout the day. The top layer of water is not always cold, but there is nothing more refreshing than sipping through that layer and hitting icy cold water in the middle of a 50 mile bike ride or 10 mile hike. You can also try and blow the water in the tube back into the bladder after drinking.

4) You can carry a larger quantity of water. Getting a 70 oz or 96 oz. bladder allows you to carry a lot of water pretty easily and all in one space. You would need 3 to 4 water bottles to equal that. You don’t have to fill it totally full if you don’t want, but I have been on several hikes and bike rides where I drank everything in the pack. And as you drink, the bladder empties, as opposed to drinking out of a bottle – you still have to carry the bottle around once it is empty. Better for traveling on a plane as well – takes up less space in your luggage for the equal or more water capacity.

5) Though I find that my bladder has stayed much more clean and less smelly than any of my water bottles, they do need to be cleaned, as does the tube. It is inadviseable to put flavoring in your water in the hydration bladder due to the difficulty of thoroughly washing the tube. In that case bring a smaller water bottle for your Elixir/Gatorade/Crystal Light/etc. and leave the bladder for water only. Most bladders have wide mouth/ziplock-type opening which makes it easier to clean as well as to fill with ice and fill in a variety of water sources (though many bladders are not compatible with water filters)

The hydration pack is certainly not suitable for every situation (like winter sports or high altitude trekking). But more often than not it is the ideal choice for staying superbly hydrated while being active in the outdoors. Won’t you convert today? — deb

Posted in Fitness and health, Outdoor equipment | Leave a comment