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 Meet Jack and Shelley Finnegan. As we began to think about the end of our work careers, it was time to start planning life after working for the Social Security Administration. Jack’s passion had become planning detailed trip itineraries. We considered launching a travel business specializing in outdoor adventure travel. We quickly realized that such a business venture would require more time than we wanted to spend. Then we received an issue of Adirondac. We were looking over the advertised extended outings and recognized a leader’s name. Jack contacted him for information on how to become an outings leader and here we are. Jack’s leadership skills were honed throughout his working career. He managed a district with 52 employees. He has taken many leadership courses and has planned several large conferences. His leadership style is to offer just enough structure to the trip without taking away the spontaneity of the group. He is most comfortable with a delegated approach towards leadership. Shelley’s compliment is focusing on interpersonal needs of our groups. Our developing niche in adventure travel appears to be “soft adventure”, meaning spirited day hikes followed by comfortable accommodations and wonderful meals. Our future trip interests include England Coast to Coast, Provence, Tour of Mont Blanc, the Grand Canyon, the Haute Route and going back to the Canadian Rockies. Shelley has recently developed a 10-day adventure on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii that includes hiking, a day of kayaking, a whale watching cruise and a Lu’au. She plans to offer this popular winter get away yearly. The most satisfying aspect of leading extended outings over the last 10 years has become the ability to share memorable times with other ADKers. Personally we are the happiest at the very top of a mountain. In fact, we were married atop Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Jack & Shelley jackfinn@ptd.net |