Detour Diaries
Dare to Detour is the supportive wellness community you deserve.
We invite you to join us for the journey, as we reconnect with ourselves — mind, body, and spirit — and step into a new way of being.
End of Summer & Montana Love
Labor Day has me feeling the seasonal shift—and, if I’m honest, the comparison bug—until I remembered to be where my feet are. From Bozeman ice cream taste-tests to back-to-school rituals, here’s a Montana-minded reframe to savor the end of summer.
10 Things I Love About The Nine Quarter Circle Ranch
I’m saddling up for my final Dare to Detour retreat at Nine Quarter Circle Ranch, and I’m sharing the ten things I love most about this Big Sky sanctuary: horses, creative workshops, starry sleep, and pure sisterhood.
21 Days, Five States, One Epiphany
After 21 days and five states in my van, I discovered how a road trip can reintroduce you to yourself, offering both unexpected connection and deep solitude. Every Detour became an invitation to slow down, reflect, and remember what truly matters.
A New Chapter for Dare to Detour
After years of transformative retreats and unforgettable connections, I’m announcing that this September’s Montana gathering will be my final Dare to Detour retreat. As I embrace a new chapter—honoring my intuition and shifting my focus—you’re invited to join me for one last unforgettable adventure and help shape the future of our Dare community.
Your Questions About Dare Guides, Answered
Curious about what makes the Dare Guides travel community so special for adventurous women? I’m answering your most frequently asked questions about our unique membership so you can see if it’s the perfect fit for your next journey.
My 21-Day Solo Road Trip
Turning 60 felt like the perfect reason to give myself the adventure of a lifetime—a 21-day solo road trip through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Northwest. I’m sharing my itinerary and tips!
What Every Woman Should Know before Her Next International Trip
I am one wLet me start with something we don’t say enough: feeling a little nervous before a trip abroad is absolutely normal. Even for seasoned travelers like myself, a big international journey brings with it a heady mix of excitement and uncertainty.
3 Ways to Detour this Summer
Are you ready to step outside your routine, reconnect with yourself, and ignite your sense of adventure? This summer, I’m inviting you to choose your own transformative path with three unique ways to "Detour"—each crafted to empower, inspire, and connect you with an incredible community of women.
Dallas Gems + My Daily Joy Practice
A new habit I’ve picked up is a “spotting joy” practice. The goal is noticing the small, daily rituals that make up glimmers of joy. I’m also sharing how I spent 4 days in Dallas, Texas.
Dare to Detour vs. White Lotus
Are we all simultaneously fascinated and horrified by the spiraling plot of the last season of White Lotus? (My favorite couple was Rick & Chelsea by the way.) And all the while, you’re kind of thinking to yourself, "But I kind of want to go on a vacation now too..."
The Financial Realities of Travel
I want to have an honest conversation about budgets. I think many of us are thinking differently about our money this year – where it goes, how we spend it, and what truly matters. Here's the question:
How can we still invest in ourselves through travel, even if it looks different than before?
I Took Two Girls' Trips Back-to-Back
There's something special about fully unpacking your suitcase. You know what I mean? When I travel, I want to fully immerse myself in a place, even if it's just for a couple of days. And I always want to leave wanting more. We've all been on those trips where, at the end, you're feeling depleted and just so ready to go home. My trick? I leave on a high note, still wanting to see and do more.
Why I Always Talk to Uber Drivers
There's something magical about travel that opens up unexpected portals of human connection. As someone who believes deeply in the power of genuine conversation, I've made it a personal mission to chat with my Uber drivers wherever I go. And let me tell you, my last trip to National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas was a masterclass in unexpected storytelling.
Sydney Ludden | From Postpartum Funk to European Adventure
Traveling with an infant. A daunting task.Traveling internationally with an infant and packing up to be abroad for an entire month? I had some nerves.
Montana Ranch Retreat Recap
Last month marked 8 years of Dare to Detour (!). As I reflect on our recent retreat at the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch, I can't help but feel this might have been our best one yet…
My Guide to London as a Solo Traveler
I took the train ride from Scotland to get to London and spent my 5 days there eating, exploring bookstores, and walking gawking at the spring gardens in bloom. Each day I would simply wander, pop into a cafe, shop, or restaurant, and continue walking about. I stayed in Notting Hill, because why not?!
Scotland Retreat Recap: 7 Days in Cairngorms National Park
Have you ever dreamed of walking through Scotland's wild landscapes, mist hanging over the moors, a wee dram of whisky in hand, and unmatched natural beauty at every turn? I recently experienced exactly this during our unforgettable seven-day retreat in Cairngorms National Park, an adventure that combined walking and whisky in perfect harmony.
Embracing Adventure at Any Age
Have you seen the National Geographic article going around about women diving into outdoor adventures as they age? This piece truly resonated with me because it's something I feel passionate about, especially as someone who’s redefined her own relationship with fitness and nature over the years. 🌿🏃♀️ So I couldn't resist sharing my thoughts with you.
A List of Women-Only Experiences in Montana and Beyond
In the spirit of Detouring with a group of women currently, I wanted to touch on this topic — the importance of women coming together and supporting each other. Especially in the world of business and retreating. We KNOW how powerful it is to be in community with other women.
What Kind of Packer Are You?
I used to be a last-minute packer. I would ensure my kids were packed days in advance, but I often found myself scrambling to pack for myself well into the midnight hours the night before our departure. But now, my packing routine has evolved into a delightful dance of anticipation and practicality.