Melanie Leggett, Wonder and Wellness in the Redwoods

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I was most inspired in the course by the idea that transformation can come about for people when they are connected to natural places in a way that helps them feel awe, wonder, connection, and appreciation. This idea led me to seek out a location where travelers would be able to feel those things easily and authentically, and I ultimately landed on the Redwoods in Northern California.

Once I chose my location, the knowledge I gained from the course seemed to slot itself effortlessly into my itinerary planning. I played with the idea of experiencing wonder both from feeling small next to nature (hiking amongst Redwoods and kayaking alongside whales), and feeling immense next to nature (exploring miniscule worlds in the tidepools). There is a rich indigenous presence in Requa, where the trip's lodging is. I made sure to include an opportunity to learn about the area's natural and cultural history from the Yurok tribe themselves, through guided redwood canoe tours. Finally, another aspect of the course that I loved was learning about Quiet Parks International, the work that they do, and the importance of quiet. Though that is something I appreciate deeply myself, this course gave me the understanding and confidence to celebrate quiet in a trip design.

My intended outcome is for our travelers to practice slowing down, breathing deeply, resting, and looking and listening closely in this incredible natural environment. I hope they will leave the trip refreshed and with tools to be more present and relaxed in their everyday lives, and that they will inspire others to do the same. I also hope they will be inspired by the environmentalists who historically helped preserve and form the Redwood National and State Parks.

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About Adventures In Good Company

We create experiences of a lifetime for women seeking a new adventure. We do the legwork to scout and hand-curate each departure. We strive to make our itineraries a great value, and an incredible return on investment. We are the ‘domestic experts’ for women’s active travel in the U.S. Our trips are excellent for solo travelers, bucket-list experiences, or milestone life events. We handle the logistics so you can fully experience some of the most breathtaking places on earth alongside other curious women and with the support of our experienced guides. It’s not about how fast you hike or how many passport stamps you have- it’s about taking on a new challenge with the support and friendship of the AGC community.

About Melanie Leggett

Mel grew up in the Green Mountains of Vermont, where a chance opportunity to guide a sailing and kayaking trip as a teen sparked a life-long love for the outdoors. After obtaining an outdoor recreation degree from Penn State, she headed to Boulder, CO where she spent years guiding and teaching environmental education for a variety of organizations, including the Colorado Mountain Club, Women’s Wilderness Institute, and Outdoor Divas. Most recently she has honed her skills in program administration as an admissions director for an independent preschool-middle school. Her personal passions and travel itineraries include climbing, reading, cooking, spending as much time on the water as possible, and raising an adventurous daughter.