I've read that it’s common for “older adults” to experience a decline in close friendships. Life changes such as retirement, relocation, or shifting priorities can make it harder to maintain the friendships we once had, let alone form new ones. However, when traveling with Adventures in Good Company, this was not the case at all.
From Zion to Friendship: Meeting Becky on an AGC Trip
Honestly, I don’t remember my first impression of Becky.
We were both on our first Adventures in Good Company trip: Hiking Utah’s National Parks in April 2022. I had driven through Bryce Canyon and Zion about 30 years ago and had always longed to return. I love hiking and being outdoors, but I had zero traveling companions who shared my passion—until this trip.
There were eight incredible women in our group and two fabulous guides leading the way. Despite an unexpected April snowfall in Bryce Canyon (and my deep dislike of cold weather), I had a fantastic experience. The guides were thrilled with the snow-covered scenery—me, not so much. I wore every piece of clothing I brought and did my best not to whine.
On the final day of the trip, Becky mentioned she travels to Washington, D.C. each year to participate in the Marine Corps 10K. Since I live in Northern Virginia, just a short drive away, she asked if I’d like to join her that year.
I hesitated. Becky didn’t look like a runner, and she lives in Florida. Traveling that far for a 10K? I wasn’t convinced. I figured she’d probably back out—something would come up. So, I registered with the optional cancellation insurance, just in case.
But Becky followed through, no cancellations, no excuses. We ran the 10K together, and that simple “yes” marked the beginning of something much bigger: a friendship that would take us across miles, seasons, and state lines.
The Power of Shared Adventure to Spark Connection
Here’s the thing about Becky: if she says she’s going to do something, she does it. No ifs, ands, or buts. And that’s how our friendship began.
We’ve now completed three Marine Corps 10Ks together. I do it to stay in shape. Becky does it to have “a cute young Marine put a medal around her neck.” I try for a PR. Becky stops to take photos of every monument. We couldn’t be more different. She’s an extrovert; I’m an introvert. She shops at Athleta; I shop at Target. She avoids vegetables; I avoid meat. She hates heat, and I loathe the cold (have I mentioned that yet?).
More Than Miles—What Friendship Adds to Travel
Since meeting on that AGC trip, Becky and I have embarked on several adventures together. We’ve hiked Harper’s Ferry and New River Gorge in West Virginia, tackled the “Triple Crown” near Roanoke, VA, and joined AGC again to explore Colorado's Rocky Mountains. We even extended that trip to hike the Manitou Incline, Pikes Peak, and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. More recently, we met up to hike around Asheville, NC, and this September, we’re heading to Minnesota to hike the Superior Hiking Trail.
I feel fortunate to have met Becky. Our friendship has opened the door to experiences I likely wouldn’t have had on my own. I now visit her in sunny St. Augustine each winter (to escape the cold!), and she stays with me in the summer while en route to see her grandkids in Ohio (to escape the Florida heat).
Traveling Solo, but Never Alone with AGC
I don’t think it’s a coincidence we met on an AGC trip, even though friendship wasn’t what I was necessarily looking for at the time. Women’s group travel blends physical challenge, emotional growth, and shared support in a uniquely powerful way. Our guides were knowledgeable, encouraging, and full of good humor, and that set the tone for all of us.
So if you’re feeling hesitant about traveling solo, here’s what I’ll say: you may be going alone, but you won’t be alone. You’ll find your rhythm with a group like Adventures in Good Company. And if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll even find your own Becky.
