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USA Today
28-05-2025
- USA Today
'That's womanhood': How all-female travel groups are forging fast bonds, lifelong memories
'That's womanhood': How all-female travel groups are forging fast bonds, lifelong memories Show Caption Hide Caption Hidden gems, scenic stays and parks worth the trip With more people hitting the road this summer, national parks are expected to see record crowds. But if you're looking to escape the congestion, our Ali Reid has uncovered some hidden gems worth exploring. Women-only travel creates a safe and encouraging environment, fostering confidence and connection. The all-inclusive tour provided gear, meals, and expert guidance, allowing for a seamless introduction to outdoor adventure. The shared experience created a strong bond between the women, fostering open communication and mutual support. These trips offer an emotional reset and a chance for self-reflection, away from daily responsibilities. On my first day hiking through Moab's striking red rocks landscape, my excitement took over like an adrenaline rush. By the second day, trekking through the towering 'needles' of eroded rocks in Utah's Canyonlands National Park, my shoulders started to hurt under my daypack. My fellow female hiker and traveler immediately stopped to adjust my hip and shoulder straps to better distribute the weight, giving me instant relief. It was an intimate, caring gesture – like one between friends or even sisters. It was hard to believe I had only known her for a day – asking for her help and her closeness adjusting my pack already felt natural. Earlier this month, I embarked on my inaugural camping and hiking expedition, spending four days exploring the desert landscape of Moab, Utah, on the Women's Best of Moab Basecamp Tour with Wildland Trekking, an Intrepid Travel Company. It was a series of firsts for me: camping in a tent, exploring Utah's grandeur and doing it all with three women (one being the guide) whom I never met before. They say traveling pushes you outside your comfort zone – add going with a group of total strangers, and the ante goes up, at least for an introvert like myself. But there's something different about being with like-minded women that makes it feel comfortable, easy and supportive, even if we haven't crossed paths before. These trips are gay – unapologetically: How adults-only travel fosters a queer connection "Women-only travel can create a uniquely safe and affirming space for those who join," said Viviana McGovern, a California-based therapist and CEO of Full Vida Therapy who specializes in women's mental health. "Without the usual pressure of gendered expectations or performance, many women feel freer to speak up, try new things and reconnect with their sense of agency. Confidence often builds naturally when women are surrounded by others who encourage growth, risk-taking, and self-trust. It can be quite a transformative experience." These days, more women are pursuing these types of impactful travel experiences, with bookings for Intrepid's Women's Expeditions on the rise over the last two years. According to travel agency network Virtuoso, 40% of women travelers "seek a sense of belonging" on their trips, and 71% aren't afraid to go about it on their own, without waiting for anyone else. What is it like to go on an all-women's trip? For a camping neophyte like me, Wildland Trekking's all-women's expedition was a seamless introduction into outdoor travel. Under the care of my guide Michelle Beebe, who has been working in Moab for around three years, all I had to do was show up, unplug and enjoy. The tours are all-inclusive, with tents, sleeping bags and all other gear along with meals. Every night, Beebe went over the next day's itinerary, which included the highlights of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park plus a long hike through Fisher Towers, the stunning backdrop for movies and television shows like Westworld. "My goal when people leave one of these trips is to feel like they just made some memories of a lifetime, that they're taking away with them some peace, something they gained, connecting with others, connecting with the environment," said Beebe. "And then also maybe some time that they also had with themselves." I would hardly call myself a hiker or camper, so I'll admit to having a slew of nerves at the start of the trip, ranging from being unable to keep up on the trails or feeling out of place – even on edge – without my creature comforts (i.e. a bed, running water) for a few days. The reality was far from it. There was an immediate and unspoken understanding among us where we didn't have to be "on," which is part of what makes these all-women trips so special, according to McGovern. "In these settings, connection tends to happen more organically and authentically," she said. Despite coming from different paths of life, we instantly stepped into rhythm with each other – both literally and figuratively. We cheered each other on during hikes and never pressured each other to do a rock scramble or teeter to the edge if we didn't want to. "Women can often feel more emotionally available and open with one another, leading to conversations and bonds that run deeper than surface-level socializing," McGovern continued. "That sense of 'being seen' by others who understand your journey can create long-lasting feelings of belonging and mutual support." I quickly let my guard down around the other women without fear of judgement – which may not have happened if it was with a different crowd. Over dinner, we spoke about relationships, breakups, families and what feeling feminine means to us. After a long day on the trails, we sat in the van comfortably in silence. 'That's womanhood' For Katherine Patrick, the woman who adjusted my backpack, this marked her first all-women's trip. Usually, the 49-year-old from Chicago hikes on her own, but she wanted to explore Moab for a few days and was intrigued by the idea of going with just women and a guide. Safety also played a role in her decision to go on a group trip. "I thought it would be really interesting to have this kind of experience with other women, and we all opted in, we all sought this out," Patrick said on the last day of our trip. "A lot of my closest friends throughout my life have been through a love of the outdoors and physical activity, and I was hoping to meet some badass women and spend some time together." I echo Patrick's sentiment. This was my second all-women trip, the first being a surf retreat in Costa Rica two years ago, so I know how powerful it can be to spend time with a group of women who share a common interest. It forges a fast bond and sense of community, allowing your walls to come down. That surf retreat still stands as one of my all-time favorite trips with positive memories, and I know this one will have a space in the books too. According to McGovern, these trips also serve as an emotional reset. "It gives women permission to step away from the roles they usually are in and reflect on who they are outside of their responsibilities," she said. "This can be incredibly healing, especially for those recovering from trauma or navigating major life transitions in general." For another woman on the trip, it was her way of celebrating the start of a new job. The end of the four-day expedition was bittersweet. I was ready to return home, but I would miss the crew of adventurous women who were by my side for my first time trekking through Moab's deserts. "There's not a lot of pressure and this comfortableness that was mellow," said Beebe. "By the end of it, we're this close-knit family almost, you know, and that's womanhood."
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Woman Refusing To Babysit for Sister After What She Did to Her Dog Backed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A heated family dispute has sparked a debate online after a woman refused to babysit her sister's "baby miracle" because of what she did to her dog. The dog owner explains in a Reddit post shared in April under the username u/No-Sprinkles7135 that the tension between her and her sister began when her sister's attitude toward her 5-year-old golden retriever, Benny, changed after having a baby. "So my sister (32F) had a baby last year after years of struggling with infertility. We were all happy for her. She called him her miracle baby and honestly I didn't mind the attention he got until things got weird," she says in the post. Suddenly the new-mom started claiming that Benny, who the poster describes as the sweetest dog, as is typical of golden retrievers, made the newborn baby uncomfortable with his presence. Initially, she was asking to keep him outside, despite it being cold in the middle of the winter, but then things took a different turn. "Next time I saw her she told me straight-up she didn't want Benny around her son because he's a dog. I said okay whatever and stopped bringing him. But I could tell something shifted," the post continues. A stock image shows a yellow Labrador retriever smelling a baby's foot as his mom holds him up. A stock image shows a yellow Labrador retriever smelling a baby's foot as his mom holds him up. getty images But the breaking point was when the poster allowed her sister to stay in her home while she was out of town for the weekend, only to find on her return a scared Benny hiding under the bed, visibly shaken. After investigating, she found out that her sister had locked him in the laundry room alone for two straight days without water or food, in his own home, claiming that his presence had made the baby nervous. Furious, the poster banned her sister from her home. However, a few weeks later, the new-mom reached back out to her as if nothing had happened, asking her to babysit her son for free. "I said no. She flipped and called me bitter and selfish, and said I clearly don't understand what it means to love family unconditionally. My mom got involved and said I'm being cruel when I could be helping," she said. "But this isn't just about a dog. It's about how she treated something I love without remorse and now expects me to drop everything and help her like nothing happened." Viviana McGovern, a licensed marriage and family therapist and CEO of Full Vida Therapy, told Newsweek that this rift isn't just about the dog or babysitting. It's much more likely about a breach of trust and emotional injury. "When someone experiences a violation of their boundaries—especially in their own home and involving a beloved pet—it creates a rupture that can't simply be smoothed over with a 'you should help because we're family' mindset," she said. "The fact that the dog was confined without food or water, and without the owner's consent, isn't a minor misstep—it's understandably distressing. The emotional weight of that experience needs to be acknowledged before any type of healing or reconciliation can begin." According to Patricia Bathurst, licensed marriage and family therapist at The Oasis Recovery, a direct conversation between the two involved in this conflict is important. "Both sisters should sit down and talk about how they feel (with the help of a therapist). A therapist can help them work through these issues. In the meantime, family members should resist taking sides. This only adds difficulty to the situation," Bathurst said. Bathurst says that it may be possible to repair this relationship, but only if the sisters are open to talking with each other and working things through. The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 29,000 upvotes and 3,500 comments on the platform. One user, Chibeau, commented: "NTA [Not the A*******! What she did to Benny is horrible! You trusted her with him and she locked him and didn't even give him food or water! Also, she has no right to claim your time anyway." GrubbyTapir said: "You're not being cruel you're protecting your dog from someone who clearly doesn't care about him." Writing_D3mon added: "Don't even need to read the post, you're not obligated to baby sit for anyone. ETA: holy c***, read the post and my initial response wasn't severe enough. You're not only not obligated you shouldn't ever help her again for any reason, her or your mom." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details and they could appear on our website.
