For Kathy, hiking wasn’t always part of the picture. It wasn’t until later in life, when she joined five friends in 2004 on a 12-day hiking trip through the Western United States. "That hiking trip changed my life," she recalled. Since then, hiking has become one of her favorite pastimes. Living in Indiana, she spents countless hours exploring local parks and weaving hiking into many of her travels.
During one of her many hiking adventures in Eastern Tennessee, she noticed a group of women hiking together on the same trail. Curious about their journey, she struck up a conversation and discovered they were part of Adventures in Good Company.
That chance encounter, combined with years of local hiking, sparked a desire for something bigger. Kathy found herself yearning to go farther, push her limits, and explore new trails beyond the ones she knew so well. However, she also realized that the kind of adventure she was dreaming of would take more planning and effort.
“At that stage in my life, I knew this kind of adventure travel would take more effort—like securing permits—so it just made sense to have a group like AGC handle the logistics for me,” said Kathy.
As her passion for adventure grew, she kept an eye on AGC’s trips, hoping to find one that aligned with both her schedule and her aspirations. And sure enough, she did.
The Call of the Camino
Among the many adventures AGC offered, one trip kept calling to Kathy: the Camino de Santiago. She saw it in movies, heard it in conversations—it felt meant to be. After watching The Way, a heartwrenching movie about a father walking Spain’s El Camino de Santiago, she felt even more drawn to the pilgrimage. Then, on a road trip, her best friend Pam turned to her and said, “Kathy, Adventures in Good Company is doing The Way. They’re taking a group along the El Camino.”
That was all she needed to hear.
“We were driving to Arches National Park when Pam told me. I got on my phone right then and booked the trip. I called my husband and said, ‘I’m going to Spain next summer, and I just spent $400!’”
With her spot secured, Kathy committed herself to training, studying the route, and preparing for the adventure of a lifetime.
The Camino: A Personal Challenge
When she arrived in Spain, Kathy was eager but apprehensive. She had been dealing with persistent foot pain and worried it might prevent her from completing the trek. Despite her careful preparation—training, testing gear, and finding the right shoes—her Camino journey started with unexpected challenges.
“The adventure began at O Cebreiro, one of the most difficult sections of the Camino. I didn’t make it one mile before I had quarter-sized blisters on both heels.”
It would have been easy to quit, but Kathy was determined.
With each painful step, Kathy adjusted. “I just kept putting on Band-Aids and eventually switched to hiking in my Keen sandals with socks.”
Encouraged by her fellow travelers and AGC guide Deb, Kathy pressed on. She was overwhelmed by the unwavering support from her AGC group—something far different from hiking alone. That sense of community became a driving force, giving her the strength to push forward.
Reflecting on the experience, Kathy shared, “Our AGC guide, Deb—bless her heart—stayed by my side every step of the way. She encouraged me daily, making sure I had everything I needed to enjoy the journey. And she always had ibuprofen at the ready!”
At AGC, one of our core values is crafting adventures that honor each traveler’s unique journey and pace. We ensure that our guides are equipped to support every type of traveler—whether it’s pushing them to their limits or encouraging a much-needed rest. This balance of challenge and care is exactly what Kathy experienced with our Camino guide, Deb, who embodied this philosophy throughout the trip.
Thanks to Deb’s constant encouragement and the support of her fellow travelers, Kathy reached the end of her journey with pride. “My main goal was to physically make it to the end, and I did that,” Kathy said, thrilled to have accomplished what she set out to do.
Building Lifelong Friendships
For Kathy, the Camino was more than just a physical challenge—it was an opportunity to forge deep connections. AGC understands that the moments spent off the trail are just as meaningful.
“Every night, we gathered for dinner, and over those nine days, we truly got to know one another,” Kathy shared. “By the end, it felt like we had accomplished something incredible—not just completing the journey, but forming friendships that would last well beyond the trip.”
These mealtime connections created a sense of trust and camaraderie that carried over into their hikes. On the trail, the group naturally spread out, giving everyone a chance to walk and talk with different women throughout the day.
“A lot of the Camino, you don’t all walk together as a group,” Kathy explained. “You might walk with one person for a while, then catch up with someone else later. This gave me the chance to connect with every woman in our group.”
Even though Kathy had come with her friend Pam, she left with a circle of new friends, each of whom taught her something different. One of those women was Angela, whose confidence and ease in meeting new people left a lasting impression.
“Angela would just walk up to people, ask their names, and strike up a conversation,” Kathy said. “She made it look so easy. After being around her, I grew more confident in myself to do the same.”
This kind of connection is what makes AGC special. More than just a hiking group, AGC fosters a supportive community of women who uplift and encourage each other—on the trail and long after the journey ends.
For Kathy, the Camino was a reminder that adventure is richer when shared and that the friendships made along the way are just as meaningful as the miles traveled.
A Sisterhood that Endured
After returning from Spain, the friendships formed on the trail only deepened. Kathy and her “Camino sisters” traveled to Vermont together, visited each other on the West Coast, and even planned group trips to Palm Springs and Acadia National Park.
“This friendship all started along the Camino. Now we stay at each other’s houses and continue traveling together. How many people can say they start a trip not knowing anyone and come out of it this close?”
The Camino also inspired Kathy to join her state’s American Pilgrims on the Camino chapter. Through that group, she found two more close friends who hike with her multiple times a week. She has also attended several National Camino Gatherings.
“We keep each other going. It’s so good for our mental, emotional, and social health. While hiking, we talk about anything—music, books, religion, politics. Everyone listens with respect. No one gets upset; we’re just hiking and sharing life.”
A Newfound Confidence
Since that first AGC trip on the Camino, Kathy has embarked on nine different adventures with AGC, exploring destinations from Portugal to Cuba, to the Superior Hiking Trail, and most recently, Costa Rica. For Kathy, each trip has been more than just an opportunity to explore new places; it’s been about the women she’s traveled with and the shared experiences that have shaped her journey.
“One thing I really appreciate about AGC is the women I’ve traveled with,” Kathy shared. “The adventures I’ve had with AGC have been successful because of the support and empowerment we give each other. We push each other to do things we never thought we could do.”
Kathy’s experience embodies what makes AGC stand out as a tour operator—our commitment to fostering authenticity and connection. At AGC, we create a space where women feel safe to be themselves, embracing both their shared experiences and their unique differences. It’s not just about the destinations; it’s about creating a community where everyone feels valued.
“Since traveling with AGC, I’m all about empowering other women to do things they never thought they could do,” Kathy said.
Her words capture the essence of what we do at Adventures in Good Company—helping women discover their strengths and push beyond their limits.
Inspired by Kathy’s story? Check out AGC’s Camino de Santiago trip and start your own adventure.
