This summer I turned 59—my final year in my 50s! Up until now, I dreaded my birthday. Being in the middle of summer 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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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 started climbing and placed some gear, but none of my gear was that great and I started to panic. 
I just froze and couldn’t move. Tears were filling my eyes, but I forced myself to continue climbing. 
I thought it would just go away and I would gain some bravery again.

Recently, I've found myself reflecting on the essence of travel, the pure joy it brings, and it's got me thinking a lot about treating ourselves to our own adventure.

The thing is, as much as you plan and prepare, you can't know exactly how things are going to roll on the road. Even good road trips have bad days, and unplanned Detours are always a possibility.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the adventures I’m still hoping to schedule before Montana’s winter weather hits. And also, I’ve been very reflective about the amazing experiences I’ve had so far this year, some in far-flung places, and what would be additive. It got me thinking…

Sometimes, life throws us unexpected curveballs. Last week, I embarked on a Detour into the breathtaking Beartooth Mountains of southwest Montana. Accompanied by a group of amazing women - my Daring Darlings - this journey turned out to be a deeply personal experience.

My recap of a Montana dude ranch experience.

This was my 6th(!) year bringing a group of Darlings to Detour at the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch in Big Sky... and I decided to put a twist on this one.

This isn't a yoga retreat.

But here’s why we Detour. Detours are laboratories for our hearts and souls. They allow us to step out of our day-to-day, release old stories that no longer serve us, and rediscover who we truly are.

First I will say, Morocco is NOT for the faint of heart.

Even though we broke up our daily activities with rest in the shade and unique experiences in amazing places, the heat and seemingly constant exploration on foot were real - I think we averaged close to 16,000 steps/day?! This being said Morocco was both transformational and incredibly humbling.

Let's face it. Everything gets a little harder to recover from as you get older.

Including jetlag.

At the end of the day, there’s no true cure for jet lag other than time and rest, but here are some of my rituals and tips for long-haul flights that help ease the change into new time zones:

As a 57-year-old woman, I’ve seen a lot of life and a lot of change. But mostly, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of Detours in life. Through them, I’ve encountered many opportunities to grow and evolve. I know that taking risks is often essential to finding true fulfillment, and travel is a great way to do that. So now, I seek them out actively.

Every Detour is a journey of self-discovery and growth.

I find that the best way to maximize the impact of the work I do with the group is to take a solo trip to reflect and integrate my learnings.

A solo female travel experience is incredible for the soul — at any age.

I am deeply passionate about this and believe it to my core. Providing safe and meaningful opportunities for women to experience travel is the intention behind Dare to Detour and it's at the root of our mission.

Do you ever find yourself thinking…?

I want to design the next chapter of my life on my terms. But I'm worried that it's too late to start.