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…

I was on a rock climbing trip in Red Rock National Park, Las Vegas, when I woke up to the news that my cousin Kendra had passed away. Although her death was not unexpected, it still hit me hard, like a punch in the gut, leaving me breathless. The death of a loved one can profoundly awaken you to the reality of your own life.

Last week I turned 59—my final year in my 50s! Up until now, I dreaded my birthday. Being in the middle of summer, it always meant my friends were away and celebrations were scarce. The main highlight was the angel food cake with lemon frosting my mom used to make. Eventually, though, that tradition transitioned into peach pie.

Tomato Girl Summer might have started gaining traction in 2023, but for me, and thanks to my flourishing garden, 2024 is the year I fully declare it to be MY Tomato Girl Summer. Have you heard of this trend?

One thing I’ve learned on this journey is that trying new things can be so invigorating – even if they are “small”. They can awaken our curiosity and truly bring little moments of joy into our day-to-day. These seemingly minor changes can help us get unstuck from a bit of routine and as crazy as it sounds, they also help us build resilience as we learn to adapt and discover this new thing.

I have a little secret to share. Despite the enthusiasm received on my weighted vest, I am not a person who loves working out. When I moved to Montana, I started hiking. It was like uncovering a treasure trove of nature’s best gifts - and has been my way of tricking myself into getting a great workout ever since. The trails are my meditation rooms, and now that we are in full swing of summer, I’ve been revisiting my list of favorite hikes in/around Bozeman to make sure I check them all off for a visit.

Guest blogger Morgan Marks chronicles her transformative journey from a childhood aversion to hunting to embracing it as a profound, ethical practice. Through lessons learned in the Montana Master Hunter Program, she opens up about the deep connection between sustainable hunting, personal growth, and the natural world.

In the spirit of gathering and my favorite season (Backyard BBQ season), I wanted to share with you my go-to’s for hosting an easy backyard dinner.

Summer has officially arrived! Whether you're a sun-chaser or a shade-seeker, there's something undeniably magical about this season. Here in Montana, summer feels like a celebration of life itself. To celebrate, I put together a list of what I want to focus on in the short but oh-so-sweet Montana summer months. What do I want to focus on? Joy, connection, and embracing the fun of this season.

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?!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my journey of life so far, it’s the power of Detours. Life is a beautiful mess of twists and turns, and each one we take shapes us into who we are meant to be. Up until this point, these are the six major Detours of my life that have led me to where I am today.

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.

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.

If you’ve been following along here for a while, you know that I always like to plan a few days of solo travel at the end of each of my retreats. These days offer a chance to decompress, reflect on the past week of hosting, and most importantly, reconnect with myself.

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.

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.

When crafting the itineraries for my Dare to Detour retreats, I start by defining what we will NOT do. The point of these trips is that I want it to be a true Detour - not an itinerary you would do with family or your friends. So rather than following the traditional tourist trail or "top 5 must-sees" outlined by popular travel guides, I intentionally opt for truly unique experiences.

I've had countless conversations with women about this. It's a common challenge, but a conversation worth having with your partner to advocate for the transformative power of solo travel. Here are some tips on how to approach the budget convo.

As a financial planner for over 24 years, I have witnessed just how easy it is to save when a savings goal aligns with one’s personal core values. The first step to budgeting for travel is discovering what type of travel best suits you. And this is achieved by determining your personal core values.

So, you've been tossing around the idea of Detouring with Dare or maybe you're still contemplating. I've heard Mercury is in retrograde, so if you're feeling a bit on the fence, blame it on the cosmos, right? 😊 I'm definitely feeling the need to be extra careful about all of my decisions, big or small. Whether you're ready to take the plunge or still mulling it over, I want to share the truth behind what "all-inclusive" really means at Dare.

Spoiler: it's seriously everything!