We asked travel planners, “what is a great adventure you’ve had on your travels?”
Sue Cleckner
Mechanics Bank | The Good Life
Mansfield, Ohio
Our group did the Western Sky Adventure with TBI Tours and Adventures. This eight-day trip was all done in a private jet holding 28 passengers — 13 of them from The Good Life and others from all over the world.
We saw five national parks and visited iconic places including Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Pebble Beach Golf Course. We would fly into little destinations, a motorcoach would pick us up, and we stayed in four-star hotels. The tour guides were absolutely exceptional.
This was only my second trip out of the gate, but I think I can speak for all of us and say we had the best time of our lives.
Stephanie Layson
Membership Services Coordinator | Conyers Rockdale Chamber of Commerce
Conyers, Georgia
My husband and I went to Australia for three weeks and spent three days on Kangaroo Island in a lightkeeper’s cottage. It was incredible.
We would walk at night with all the lights off and see kangaroos, wallabies and all kinds of wildlife. The surroundings were spectacular.
Interestingly, many of the Australians we talked to had never heard of Kangaroo Island — much like those of us in the U.S. don’t know about many of our own treasured destinations.
Joyce Kappe
Amegy Bank | Star Achievers Club
Houston, Texas
Our group of 72 people took a land-and-sea excursion to Alaska. While we were on land, Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in all of North America, was clearly visible at all times. I’ve heard that some folks never see it when they are there, and I am grateful to have been awed by that magnificent sight.
Meg Farber
National Bank | The Club
East Moline, Illinois
I sat on the board of directors for a college that had an affiliation with Japan. Because of that, I was fortunate to visit Japan five times.
While there, I was not just a tourist but a person who saw the country through the eyes of the Japanese. Seeing their World War II museum from their perspective, observing their respect for people and the humble outlook they have in life will always be treasured and important memories.
Julie Peyton
West Central Georgia Bank | Banking Buddies
Thomaston, Georgia
We toured seven Western states with Premier Tours and saw so many things because of the close proximity of famous parks and monuments.
Perhaps one of my most adventurous moments was taking a walk at night near our hotel inside Yellowstone National Park when we were warned a grizzly bear was in the vicinity. I’m not afraid of much, but I couldn’t handle a grizzly. I hustled back to the hotel.
Pamela Rigsby
Travel agent representing Athens State University alumni travels
Thomaston, Georgia
Terrified of heights, I proved to my children I could overcome my fears by walking the plank at sea on the Norwegian Breakaway. In addition, I did the fastest drop slide at sea. You are strapped on a board enclosed in a capsule when the bottom drops out and you slide. The entire ship heard me scream.
I can’t remember the name of that slide, but I call it the atomic wedgie — for obvious reasons.
