Mary Ann Sarver – 325 Saddlebrook Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 1maryatravel@gmail.com Phone (724-939-3394) or 412-302-6007
CHRISTMAS PARTY – DECEMBER 18 (6-10PM) Hampton Banquet Hall – Sign up and details are in this newsletter. Please send in reservations ASAP.
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Wilderness Voyageurs Bike Trips:
Patty Ann has become a bike guide for Wilderness Voyageurs and submitted the information below. Some members will remember Carol “Lee” Martin who was a member and joined us on several ski trips. She is the mother of Eric who now runs this organization. Also, some will remember the wonderful “white water rafting trips” that we did through the same company. It has grown and now does bike trips all over the United States. Below is some interesting information about these trips and Patty Ann’s experience with this company.
Wilderness Voyageurs Bike Tours, Patty Ann McLaughlin – pattyanntravel4u@gmail.com
Wilderness Voyageurs Outfitters was started in 1964 as a company that offered guided raft trip down the class 3-5 waters of the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle, PA. What you may not know is that the company no longer offers just rafting trips. WV branched off into bike tourism and currently offers more Inn-to-Inn USA bike tour destinations than any other company! That’s right, the company offers over 200 departures annually to 30 destinations in 20 states and 18 national parks and their target demographic is 60-80 year old’s.
In April of this year, I spent a week with the management and staff at Wilderness Voyageurs training to work for the company as a Bike Guide. It was an overwhelming week of training covering the skills and knowledge needed to facilitate fully supported 3–6-day bike trip of up to 12 guests on road, rails trails, and/or gravel tours. I termed the training “operational engineering” covering logistics, navigation, meal planning and implementation, bike mechanics, first aid, baggage and bike management, and guest support and services. At the end of the week I was exhausted and stunned at the intensity of the training, the commitment to excellence of the company, and the camaraderie that permeates the staff and the other trainees.
It was with great apprehension that I accepted the position. Apprehensive because it is a full-on demanding job. What I discovered was that it is beyond rewarding and fulfilling, I met so many great and like-minded people, and had great experiences in impressive locations. My summer schedule consisted of two trips on the GAP trail, two trips in Washington/Idaho including the Trail of the Hiawatha, and a trip along the Erie Canal in upstate New York.
If you love bicycles and desire to travel and experience the USA from the seat of your bike, then check out: https://wilderness-voyageurs.com/bike-tours/. You won’t be disappointed with the offering of destinations. You will be in great hands with the management and staff of WV. Their experience and the attention to detail is spot on – including trips being ranked in terms of their level of difficulty, pre-trip packing lists, and pre-trip training guides! And they offer a wide range of bikes for rent including e-bikes. The 2023 trip schedule is out, hurry! These trips book fast and please remember to mention my name.
SKI TRIP TO BEAVER CREEK, COLORADO – Must get reservations in as trip will be closed out soon. Contact Patty Ann McLaughlin for information or to be put on a waitlist.
“DAVID” Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster along with Dinner Show “Saturday Night Fever” – Nov. 9-10, 2022.
SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW TRIPS – I recently asked for suggestions for places to look into for travel. Here are a few. Please let me know if you would be interested. An email would be appreciated. 1maryatravel@gmail.com.
Fall of 2023 – Iceland – Land of Fire and Ice. There are several members interested in Iceland. Watch for details in upcoming newsletters.
Late Summer or early Fall of 2023 – Train across Canada – staying in the Hotel Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel. Let me know if there is any interest.
ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES, OUTINGS, TRAVEL IDEAS – PLEASE PASS THEM TO ME AT 1maryatravel@gmail.com