Who is Parallel?
Parallel is John and Connie from Portland, Oregon!
From Oregon, to Botswana, to Ireland this couple inspires us to keep on moving! Meet Connie and John from Portland, Oregon [Ed. Note: Many of you are aware that Parallel is headquartered near Portland, Maine – the real Portland. As such, we think of Portland, Oregon, as The Other Portland, or Portland #2. But it is still a very nice place.]
Please let the Parallel universe know a little bit about yourselves (info provided by John):
My wife, Connie, and I are (now) long-time retirees living in Portland, Oregon. By coincidence, our three children also live in Portland, making family reunions a breeze. My career with [consumer-goods colossus] Kimberly-Clark Corp took us around the world, with fifteen of our thirty years with “K-C” spent in England, Thailand, Korea and, finally, India. What a ride! We love the outdoors and spend our summers at our residence in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. When back in Portland, we immerse ourselves in hospice work, serving on the board of Hopewell House, the only in residence hospice facility in Portland.
Are you avid “hikers” in “real life”?
Connie and I are avid exercisers, with hiking and walking a convenient alternative when we are not in the gym. With our summers in the Adirondacks, hiking and canoeing are a way of life!! In short, real life is very active, and at 78 (John) and 74 (Connie) we recognize the benefit of “keeping moving”!
What Parallel trip(s) have you been on?
Our Ireland adventure was our first Parallel trip. We had always wanted to do a supported hiking trip and Ireland had a particular attraction for us because John’s grandparents emigrated from Ireland ~1900, and part of John’s extensive family is still in the tiny town of Kilchreest, Galway. So the Parallel trip was always going to be a joint trip, merging family and fun. And we did visit eight of our relatives who still live in Kilchreest.
Have you been on a trip similar to Parallel’s before? How was Parallel different?
This was our first “walking” trip, so we have nothing similar to compare to with the exception of our Adirondack experiences where we also do long hikes, 10+ miles. But not with the waypoint-to-waypoint support we had with Parallel.
Why did you choose to travel with Parallel?
Serendipity! We were on a fantastic tenting safari in the Okavango Delta in Botswana and one of the couples we were traveling with, Brad and Laura [Brad and Laura also hail from the Portland, Oregon, area and have been on just about every Parallel Itinerary], were close friends with Chad Olcott [Parallel’s founder]. One thing led to another, and soon we were part of the Parallel family.
Do you have a favorite memory or two from your Parallel trip?
We are keeping it general here. We really enjoyed everyone – Parallel facilitators Jack and Mark, and our “co-hikers”, Kate, Scott, Annie and Jamie. Everyone got along famously, with evenings lubricated by Ireland’s finest Guinness! Great company and great conversation even with significant generational gaps!!! And, of course, the magnificent scenery every day.
Do you have a memorable meal or two from your Parallel trip?
There were two. The first involved an unexpected and welcome whiskey tasting at a whiskey bar/restaurant in Killarney followed by dinner. Superb. The second was our farewell meal in lovely Dingle. Over the top!
How would you describe the Parallel vibe to someone who’s never heard of it?
Fun! Spirited! Youthful! Accommodating!
