In This Issue
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Sedona, Havasu and the Grand Canyon
Linda P sent us these pictures from the recent Sedona, Havasu, and the Grand Canyon trip. We'll offer it again in 2012. Next year our regular Havasu trip is in April.
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Sedona
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The Grand Canyon
If you haven't seen it yet, you should.
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Havasu - the lower canyon
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Sedona
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The dining table
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Sea Kayaking Trips
In a previous newsletter, we described why sea kayaking is a wonderful sport and dispelled some of the common myths (if you missed that newsletter, click here). This year we are expanding the options, adding several shorter trips that include instruction. Want to try kayaking before committing to a longer, more expensive trip? Now you can.
New trips that are perfect for beginners, or anyone wanting to improve their paddling strokes, are Paddling with the Manatees in January and Chesapeake Bay Kayaking in April. The Manatees trip is already full, but with enough interest we'll add a second - let us know soon. The second trip is on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. While the area is best known for the touristy town of Ocean City, it is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Maryland. We'll be staying at two completely different hotels, eat at some of the fine area restaurants, search for Misty's descendants on the island of Assateague, kayak in three different ecosystems, plus learn kayaking skills - its guaranteed to be a fun and full long weekend. For those with some experience,who have worn a spray skirt and know how to get out of a kayak while wearing it, we have Sea Kayaking Cumberland Island. This historic barrier island off the coast of Georgia offers great wilderness camping and hiking. We've made it back to back with Paddling the Okefenokee so you can combine them easily for a longer vacation.
We also have 4 longer kayaking trips and we welcome novice paddlers on them too. We call our Panama trip Panama, the new Costa Rica, because it offers what people are looking for when they go to Costa Rica and have an increasingly difficult time finding: unspoiled land of incredible biodiversity that isn't full of tourists. In early March there is the always popular Sea Kayaking the Caribbean. And we have a new itinerary for Sea Kayaking Grecian Islands that has two nights camping and the rest staying in small hotels. Finally we will be returning to the craggy coast of Nova Scotia this July.
Haven't really considered kayaking before? Particularly for those of us who have always been hikers and backpackers but find our creaky knees or aging back are making it less fun, kayaking provides a wonderful new way to immerse ourselves in wilderness.
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Webinar: Picking your Italy trip
This year we are offering three quite different trips to Italy: Treasures of Tuscany, Amazing Amalfi and Harvest Time in Umbria. They have certain things in common, like great hiking, seeing some of the famous sights, and eating delicious food. But aside from that, Italy is a diverse country and each area has its charms. If you're thinking about joining us on a trip in 2011 and want some help sorting out which would be the best for you, join us for a webinar on Thursday October 28 at 8:00pm EST. Hit "Reply" and put Webinar in the subject line. Armchair travelers and dreamers are welcome.
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Trekking Poles: Additional thoughts
I've discussed choosing trekking poles before in this newsletter and now realize there were a couple of crucial omissions. Trekking poles vary wildly in price, from the ones at WalMart for $13 to the $150 ones made by Leki. And for the woman who wants to give trekking poles a try, the cheap ones are fine- even ski poles will work. But once you're hooked, there are a couple of important things that distinguish them. The primary one is the wrist straps. Good, adjustable, supportive wrist straps - like the ones in the picture - are essential for proper use. From experience I can tell you that the thin ones just don't work nearly as well.
The other issue is whether you can pull them completely apart, which is only important if you want to put them in carry-on luggage. All poles will collapse, but most collapsed poles won't fit into luggage. If you try to pull the cheaper poles apart, however, you probably will never get them together again.
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Trip Spotlight: Cruising Turkey
Cruising Turkey's Turquoise Coast is one of our new international trips this year. The destination in and of itself is quite appealing: right on the border of East and West, Turkey has played a significant role throughout history and is still the most prominent secular Muslim nation. We think this itinerary gets off the beaten path and gives you a unique introduction to its natural beauty and history.
It has two additional features we found very appealing: unlike our other international trips, it is totally suitable for women of all fitness levels. There is some delightful hiking but if you're in the mood to stay on board, swim and snorkel, or just relax and read a book, you're welcome to do so. No one else is on the boat except the crew. And once we arrive at the boat, you only have to unpack once! Doesn't the name Turkish Delight sound appropriate?
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Our newsletter archive
We've been publishing this newsletter since 2002! And finally we have an archive so you can look back at that article you vaguely remember reading and deleting. The archive includes all of 2010, most of 2009, and a smattering of others that were easy to reformat. Following each month, the articles that have some enduring interest are listed. For example, we know you don't care about 2007 trips and changes but you might be interested in what we wrote about daypacks
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Book of interest
Some of the best literature is written for young adults and Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George fits that category. Julie (or Miyax) is a 13 year old Eskimo with ties to both the new ways and the old ways. It is tremendously informative about life in the arctic, the natural cycles of the year, and the plants and animals, particularly arctic wolves. It also paints a sometimes painful picture of a culture in transition. It's an easy read and you'll come away from it feeling like you've learned lots without ever being taught to.
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Calling all Facebook Friends
If you're one of our Facebook friends (and if you're not, you're missing a lot), would you please take a minute and go to our Facebook page. Under the picture on the left, there is an option "Suggest to Friends". When you click this, it will brings up all your friends on Facebook. You can pick the ones that you think might be interested in Adventures in Good Company. You know the friends I mean: not the ones that only want to go to beaches and spas or see 18 countries in 15 days and can't believe you would think they would be interested in this page; but the ones who love being outdoors and active and getting off the beaten track. My friend Jackie of WomanTours has told me that her new goal is to have more friends than AGC. Please help make sure it doesn't happen.
And while you're there, we have a new tab called Reviews (we've always had it but its been hidden). If you've taken a trip with us, would you write something? Thanks!
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Last words
Our year is drawing to a close. Deb's off guiding our island hopping trip in Greece and we have four more trips after that, with the last being Hiking Bryce and Zion in early November. We're looking forward to cooler weather and a slightly slower pace for a couple months. Enjoy Autumn!--
Marian, for all the guides at Adventures in Good Company
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