Dream vacations
4/3/2024For some people, vacationing is a part of their routine. They plan, take and enjoy numerous trips to see the sights and “get away” from the usual hustle and bustle of life. They enjoy good times and make fond memories. They share photos and stories, but it isn’t long before they are looking forward to their next excursion. For some others, a vacation turns out to be much more than that — it is a dream come true, and, no matter how many vacations may follow, none will ever compare. It is a trip of a lifetime.
Cindy Torvik
Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro
As Cindy Torvik of Clive battled cancer in 2006, she was in survival mode. After her treatments, she made a full recovery.
In 2011, a friend suggested climbing Mt. Everest as a way to celebrate beating cancer.
Cindy said, “No way.” Then her friend suggested a smaller peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. She paused, then agreed.
The hike was organized by Above + Beyond Cancer, a nonprofit dedicated to elevating the lives of those touched by cancer. It was also a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. She applied and was accepted, along with her husband, Jim, who went as her caregiver. A group of 42 summitted the 18,600-foot climb in Tanzania, Africa.
Reaching the summit was unforgettable.
“It was a great sense of relief and accomplishment,” says Jim. “I was never in doubt I couldn’t make it. The leadership of the group really knew how to motivate with tough love.”
For the group of people touched by cancer, reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro was an inspiration.
Source: Clive Living, March 2024; by Jackie Wilson
Krista Fuller
Around the world
One night, while watching “House Hunters International,” Krista wondered what it would take for the family to just leave it all behind for a while and travel to places unknown. The result was a five-month trip spanning three continents and 20 countries.
They played it all a bit by ear. They didn’t start planning destinations until a month before they left. They started by opening Google Flights and picking the cheapest European destination there was for that July — Amsterdam. Once they had their first spot picked, they started to plan the next destinations a few weeks in advance.
“Besides our first stay in Amsterdam and our time in India and Egypt, we used Airbnb for all of our accommodations. We even Airbnb’d a sailboat and captain in Greece for four nights as we sailed around the islands — one of my favorites for sure.”
Krista says there were many experiences they shared that were amazing. They lived for a month in Barcelona. They saw the Taj Mahal and the Great Sphinx, which is strangely now located near a Pizza Hut and KFC. They rode a mountain coaster in Andorra.
Source: Ankeny Living, March 2024; by Ashley Rullestad
Loren and Linda Meyer
A family reunion… Deutschland style
Family is important to Loren and Linda Meyer. Having two children of their own, little did they know they would have the opportunity to gain four “bonus” kids through their involvement with the Youth for Understanding Program (YFU) as hosts of Indianola High School foreign exchange students from Germany.
“They were all good kids, and we developed lasting relationships with each of them,” says Loren. “They became ‘our kids’ in the 10 months they were here.”
Loren and Linda are almost full German heritage, and both had always wanted to visit the country. In 2018, they decided to take their dream trip to Germany, where they visited all four of their “kids,” met their families, experienced their homes, and, of course, did a lot of sightseeing along the way.
“We couldn’t have asked for anything better because we had true local tour guides,” says Linda, smiling. “The families were extremely welcoming, and three had room for us to stay in their homes. They treated us like family.”
Source: Indianola Living, March 2024; by Becky Kolosik
Lisa Sheehy
Commemorating a last wish
Lisa Sheehy has lived northwest of Adel since 1999 and has been a Dallas County resident her entire life. When her partner of 32 years, Michael Day, passed away on March 1, 2022, she decided to commemorate his last wish by traveling.
Lisa was determined to cross this trip of a lifetime off her bucket list, and her lifelong friend, Kelli Killmer, agreed to accompany her.
On March 1, 2023, a snowmobile guide took them to the Grand Teton Overlook in the Bridger-Teton Forest, where Lisa honored Michael.
“I spread some of Mike’s ashes on the first anniversary of his passing,” she says.
“I loved the breathtaking scenery and finally getting to see, with my own eyes, the area that Mike had visited several times; the horse-drawn sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge; dog sledding; and having a private snowmobile guide.”
Since returning, Lisa has looked through the hundreds of pictures she and Kelli took and finds peace, healing, and even joy in the memories she made.
“I can’t wipe the smile off my face,” she says.
Source: Adel Living, March 2024; by Chantel Boyd
