What Our Guests Say...
 

Kathy, you continue to inspire us. None of us, and I mean none, has been able to come down off this trip. We have not yet been able to connect with the real world we had left behind to begin this Odyssey. Our experiences during those sixteen days have left an indelible mark on us. The pictures are painful to look at. They remind us of how blessed we were to have been surrounded by both the beauty of nature and the beauty of womankind. And we want to go back. The let down is enormous.
We love all and we can never, never, never forget. Hopefuly on Nov. 2 Vicki and I (possibly Georgia) will be going up to Vermont to connect with the girls. Can't wait.
Love you and thanks for creating a wonderful opportunity.
Mary Ann, NH (Slovenia Women's Hike 2002, Stowe Snowshoe Reunion 2003, Czech Republic 1999)

Dear Kathy,
Do and I still have difficulty completing a paragraph of conversation or a moment of dream-time without thinking of Basque country and how much fun we had there under your loyal tutelage.  We remain tremendously grateful to you for your steadiness in going ahead with the planned hike, even amid all the international (and financial) uncertainties.  The resultant experience in the villages and highlands of Euskal Herria will always be a treasured part of our memory-chest, and we do thank you for your introduction to it.

We also owe many thanks to Alberto for his part in the drama.  My poem (for which publishers are clamoring) may have expressed the emotional part of that thankfulness, but it was kind of short in expressing the day-to-day realities of our obligation to him.  His unfailing patience as well as his challenging athleticism were both working parts of his leadership.  His skill around the dining room table was as impressive as his familiarity with the most arcane aspects of history.  Not so much "guide," he was a teacher, an inspiring pace-setter, a friend who never let us get really lost or too comfortable or bereft of wine.  I would like to be in touch with him on a continuing basis, both to carry on my learning of Basque matters and to keep our friendship going.
Do and I are also anxious to know how it goes with you and your affairs.  And I meant what I said about being willing to contribute to whatever new write-up of Dragonspath's programs that you may be planning.  
With best wishes, Rusty

Rusty B. Ithaca NY(Basque Sept 2001)
 
 
Kathy:
I know you've already heard from Renee, but I wanted to add my two cents worth. I apologize for not getting back in touch with you right after we received your wonderful album.  It was a very special addition and I really appreciate not only the album, but your thoughtfulness in sending it too us so quickly. It is a treasured reminder of a wonderful trip.  It is always a pleasure to travel with Chris, CKay, Richard and Marcy but having both you and Joshu made it even more special and  Portugal was even better than I imagined. I have heard so little about the country that I really had no idea what to expect but now believe it will become a much bigger tourist destination in the future (just as Peru seems to be).
Craig W. Austin TX (Portugal Custom 2002)

Hello Dearest friend,
It was all like a dream come true! Iam sure you are hearing from everyone by now we all agree it was more than we ever expected. What a group. FABULOUS!!
 
You should be forever proud of the bounding and friendships you created!! So wonderful to hear from you Buddy.... I too cant believe the trip words can not describe to anyone what every moment was like....Have my pictures and some as soooooooooooo beautfiul...making copies and will send to you...dont want to tie you up ...call me the second you get back....Miss you
Forever indebted...Love me Rosallie P.

Chevy Chase MD (Slovenia Women's Hike 2002, Stowe Snowshoe Reunion 2003, Czech and Slovak Republic 1999)

Hello Kathy:  Thank you for your email.  I am missing Slovenia and you!  I hope you had an enjoyable time in Italy with your husband.  How is your wrist? I had such a good time on the Slovenia trip thanks to your hard work!
I loved the country and the tour.  I have been very busy at work since returning and have not had a time to reflect on the trip.  I look forward to a long hike in the near future and  will take quiet time  process the wonderful experience we had.  You are an incredible person and well suited for the business you are in!  I look forward to more experiences with you in the future.  Some of the Burlington gang will be attending the Big Fat Greek Wedding movie next Thursday.  I wish you could be with us!  I'll be in touch after foliage season.  When you return to the States and have a chance I would appreciate some company leads you may have for my teenage daughter to do some adventure travel next summer.  Your help is appreciated!  All the best! 
Love, Patti C. Stowe VT (Slovenia Women's Hike 2002, Stowe Snowshoe Reunion 2003)

Kathy,   I am trying to get myself out the door and back to work. Kuma needs to be picked up and hopefully I'll make it to a yoga class at the end of the day. I have so many memories and emotions, I am overwhelmed but thrilled to have had this incredible trip. I hope the four of you have fun, good food, and some time to re-generate. ...Sally J. Oneonta NY

(Slovenia Women's Hike 2002, Stowe Snowshoe Reunion 2003)
 
Kathleen, sorry I'd forgotten that I'd promised to email you as soon as I got home. You can relax now. Hope the christening went well and congratulations on being a God parent.  You put together a very special and memorable trip. I'm looking forward to the next one. Hopefully in the Swiss Alps.Regards to Keith.
  Love,   Anthony H (Peru Inca Trail 2001, Patagonia Trek 2003)

Dear Kathy,
thank you for all the wonderful pictures...take me away Calgon...please..I don't know if you got my last e-mail, but wanted to make sure that you know how much the trip meant to me.  it was sooooo incredible, so hard to put into words, so very special...And you’re the one to thank for it all...You have this amazing ability to juggle all of our personalities and truly make us all feel very special. THANK YOU!! We are getting together this weekend at my house to relive some of our trail talks, and you will be spoken of, I sure often... Much love and heartfelt thanks
brooks B , Burlington VT ((Slovenia Women's Hike 2002, Stowe Snowshoe Reunion 2003)
 
 
Dear Kathy,
Thank you for the beautiful photos you sent over the internet and the package I will treasure them.  We have just returned from England where I spent a month.  We had a wonderful time reuniting with my family and were blessed with wonderful weather. How did the last week of your trip go?
I had the most wonderful time in Chile and you were an outstanding guide.  Many thanks for all the kindnesses you showed me and for your patience!
I hope to hear from you soon.
All the best Cynthia V Vermont (Chile 2002)
 
Kathy,  We got your album today and what a thrill. The album brings to mind the wonderful places we have been with you. We have had such fun!  Thank -you for the album and for all your help with hiking.
Your positive attitude kept me going.  Keep us posted on your self and your travels.
Love, Ann B.

Lewis Delaware (Chile 2002, Czech and Slovak Republics 1999, Camino de Santiago 2000)
 
Kathy,
Hope you had a good and safe walk with your Argentine friend. He was delightful. We enjoyed our trip to Chile. As always, it is good to be with you, and this time our companions were really wonderful. It makes all the difference when there is a computability among the travelers.  \This was a different trip. We expected that, and while we are glad we came it told us that we are able to do the tougher climbs but are not sure that is a good focus for a trip for us. "Yield gracefully the things of youth" the saying goes, and that is a good one for us now. We want to keep hiking but I think the others we have done with you, Santiago, Slovakia, were more of interesting terrain, good history, charming accommodations, walks each day without much intervening travel by bus to get someplace, etc. So, doing the Torres was something we (I) have always wanted to do, and it is done. Thank you.
So there we are. Please stay in touch - you are important to us and we hope to travel again with you. Talk to you soon.
Dave and Ann

Lewis Delaware (Chile 2002, Czech and Slovak Republics 1999, Camino de Santiago 2000)
 
Anxious to hear about the rest of your trip.....we all got home safely and happily.....with visions of Chile forever in my head!!!!  I loved every minute of it.....got my pictures developed the same day I got home and am very happy with them, though it's not like being there!!!   No way to grasp the vastness, the sounds, the smells....thank you for EVERYTHING! you did for us....it all went so smoothly and effortlessly on our end.....you do a great job!  By the way I would love to have you send me one of your brochures again....I gave mine to someone and can't remember who. Thanks. you are a definite thumbs up, keeper!!!     Love,  Judy

Vero Beach Fl. (Chile 2002)

 
What a wonderful little goody they are great clear pics and about all anyone wants to see this shutterfly is amazing I looked at all Barbara's too...thanks for the stuff hope all is going well I am hunkering down for a very busy summer at the land trust as well as on the home front...new baby due July 15th...etc. What great memories I have of Chile after all in the end all we have are great memories...thanks for doing a first class job for us....Sissy D. 1000 Islands NY (Chile 2002, Custom Peru 1999)
 
  
Kathy,
    You awesome gal! I got most of my pictures back -- one roll still in the  camera.    I had such a great time, I am looking forward to traveling with you  again soon! Please let me know if anything comes up that you think I would  like and is within my skill level!   
    Thanks again for a wonderful vacation!

Donna A. Tuscon AZ(Tuscany and Le Cinque Terre 2001)

Thank you so much for the photo album.  It really captured a lot of our fabulous trip.  I'm sorry so much time has gone by without our letting you know how much we loved the trip and walking with you.  It was so well planned, and the whole group was so much fun.  Dick and I had another week in Portugal after our week with you.  We drove down to the Algarve, but found it not as much to our liking as the northern areas.
We think of you often and have raved about our wonderful trip. Hope all is well.
Joan (and Dick) K. (Portugal 2002)
 
Dear Kathy, we made it home after being delayed in Porto, running thru DeGaulle airport and just making our connection to Boston. We all shopped like crazy in Port airport!  Everything went fine at home which…you know what that means, we can go again!!
We had the best time Kathy. We had great walks, lots of interesting food, and best of all the company was unmatched.  You are one of the most interesting people I;ve ever been fortunate to meet, so patient, so knowledgeable, and extremely caring. Josu also became a friend as well as our informative guide. And victor (or driver) with his beming smile and sense of houmor was a joy to spend time with . Richard and I want to thank you for each and every memory and moment of fun on our trip. Thank youfor our olive dish too! (the ones we fond in the airport weren’t half as nice!).  I can’t wait until our next adventure!
With love, Richard and Marcy G. Boston MA (Portugal Custom 2002)

Dear Kathy,
Welcome home after all your travels. I know I is hard for people to realize what a wild and wooly life you lead!
Thank you for making the Slovenia trip for me…and what a trip it was! Unbelievable. It’s one that keeps sinking in.  Almost too much to take in a the time. And it was incredible at the time. It’s a wonderful country. REAL people, gloriously beautiful and so away from the beaten path.  Intriguing history interwoven into the fabric of Europe…and yet we barely know of it. I LOVE the undiscovered corners and you’re so good at finding them! You and Maura are a team that strikes me as maternal. Both with strengths, qualities and personalities that complement each other and enhance each other.  Anyway, I look forward to talking soon. The Pre and Post trips were great!
Sally is renewed! I talked with her the other night and she s out and about. Goin places and doing things like she hasn’t in years! Revitalized!” life changing experiences”! She was a great  traveling partner for me…so wonderful to share something so spectacular with a dear, loved friend.
Ciao for now. Thanks again, You’re The Queen!!
Helen N. Chicago IL (Slovenia Women's Hike 2002)