Thank you so much to one of our beloved travelers, Betsy B., for helping us revive an “oldie but goodie” series: “Who Is Parallel?” In this series, we’ll feature Parallelians from all over the place to share their Parallel stories.
This month, we bring you Betsy! Betsy has traveled with us on two custom trips and is looking forward to a third with her Minnesota-based crew in the spring of 2026. Betsy and her husband, Eric, have a terrific group of friends based in the Twin Cities – but now she calls the lakes of Wisconsin and deserts of Arizona home.
Are you an avid “hiker” in “real life”?
Half of the year the answer is yes. In November of 2024 we bought a home in Arizona, and we hike frequently when we’re there. This fall, I started a Monday hiking club with some friends to hike at least once a week. When we are at home in Spooner, Wisconsin, I do more walking than hiking.
What Parallel trip(s) have you been on?
Spain’s Costa Brava and Portugal’s Fishermen’s Trail. This spring we will go to Greece’s Andros Island!
Have you been on a trip similar to Parallel’s before? How was Parallel different?
My husband Eric and I hiked the Dolomites in Italy on a trip with Backroads. Backroads was wonderful and very well run, and we stayed in beautiful 5 star hotels. However, Backroads is extremely expensive. I favor the independence of Parallel Adventures. I love the morning text update and meeting that sends us on our way, but we navigate the trails as a group. There is a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day’s hike. And then voila – our bags are at the next hotel!
Why did you choose to travel with Parallel?
We heard about Parallel Adventures through a friend that worked with Chad at Apogee Adventures. We learned that he will accommodate custom trips if the numbers are right, so we paired up with four other couples and traveled with a group of 10 friends!
Do you have a favorite memory or two from your Parallel trips?
In Portugal, it was a surprise that we were along the coast for so much of the hiking. Each turn was more beautiful than the last. A huge highlight in Spain was swimming in the Mediterranean every day!
How about a memorable meal from your trips?
My absolute favorite were the croquettes in Spain. (My husband loved the barnacles in Portugal.)
Be honest – how difficult did you find the trips?
Not difficult. The big thing to remember is that these hikes are not a race. You have all day to walk along the trail, stop and enjoy the view. We did some training with some elevation prior to the trips, but not a lot.
How would you describe the Parallel vibe to someone who’s never heard of it?
Casual, fun, adventurous, independent but with excellent leadership and direction.
Thank you, Betsy – see you in Greece!
