I Took Two Months Off — Here's Why | Wisconsin Adventure Family LLC

I Took Two Months Off — Here’s Why

After two months hosting women’s adventure travel groups across four African countries, I’m back in Wisconsin. Here’s what I learned about building community through adventure, and what’s coming next for women who want to explore the world locally and globally.

I unplugged for two months—no blog posts. No newsletters. No Instagram carousel posts or Reels scheduled in advance. No sitting at my desk answering emails on my phone while my daughter asked me questions.

That was intentional.

Every mother deserves a break. Not a break from work, but a break from the constant hum of it. The notifications. The momentum. The feeling that if you’re not producing, you’re falling behind. I decided that wasn’t going to be my story this summer.

So I disconnected. And I connected with nature, with my family, with the women who joined me in exploring the four corners of Africa.

To say this trip exceeded expectations feels like an understatement. I’ve been hosting women’s adventures for years. But hosting them in South Africa —in my country, my motherland, the place where I was born — that was different. That was a dream I’ve carried my entire life. And this summer, I got to live it.

We stood at Victoria Falls. We rafted the Zambezi in Zimbabwe — 80 degrees, adrenaline, pure Africa. We hiked the Garden Route and Tsitsikamma with our family, one of the most visited national parks in the Eastern Cape. And then we went to the mountains and experienced snow — real snow — in August, while everywhere else in Africa was scorching heat.

That’s the kind of trip this was. We hiked along the ocean in St. Francis, watching spring flowers bloom. My daughter took a cold plunge in the Indian Ocean. We lived through multiple seasons in a single journey — winter, spring, summer, all at once. We came back to Wisconsin healthier. Happier. Changed.

I owe everything to these women who trusted me to guide them through this experience. Thank you for believing in this vision. Now, the office is open for business.

I know some of you are grieving.

The adventure is over. The connection, the energy, the feeling of being fully present with women who get it — that’s what you’re missing. I feel it too. And I’m not going to let that end here.

What’s Coming: Your Next Adventure

Free. No membership. No charge. All you need is a Wisconsin state sticker and a willingness to show up. These free hiking groups are a way to get to know the community, connect with nature, and see if a bigger adventure calls to you.

Fall Retreat | October 2–4

Free. At my private Riverhouse property. Camping, kayaking, wine tasting, and real time with women who show up. Small group only — this is intimate, intentional space.

Winter Retreat | January 8–10

Save the date, All-inclusive. Hosted around Baraboo. Details coming soon.

Peru Adventure Trip | July 15-25, 2027

I had so many of you asking last year: “Are you going back to Peru?” And I said no. But I’ve spent the last two months with women who stretched me, challenged me, and reminded me why I do this. So here we are.

Registration opens September 5th.

This trip is with an indigenous-owned operator with 25+ years of experience. Strong porter ethics. Real adventure. Real community. June in Peru is perfect — you’ll understand why once you get there.

South African Healing Retreat | July 2027

Healing in South Africa retreat venue in 2027

Here’s what I heard from so many of you: “Dini, we want to go to South Africa with you. But we don’t want to summit mountains.” So I built this trip for you.

Hosted by the ocean. Vegan food. Morning yoga. Pilates. Sound baths. Long walks on the beach, collecting shells and oysters, foraging your own food. We’re staying active and healthy — just not summiting. We’ll visit Addo Elephant Park, explore South African culture, and experience the healing only South Africa can offer.

Only 4 spots available. If South Africa has always been on your list, July is perfect timing. It’s winter there; cooler, restorative, exactly what your soul needs.

A Note on Who This Is For

I get asked a lot: “What age group comes on your trips?”

I’m going to be honest. I don’t like that question. Because this community was never built around age, it was built around something deeper. I was once a woman who was excommunicated. I was once a woman who was never invited to the table. The trip was too expensive. I couldn’t afford it. I didn’t know how to book a trip. I was scared.

So I created this space.

This community is for every woman from every culture and background. It’s for the woman who’s always felt unseen. The woman who’s been scared — scared of traveling, scared of leaving, scared of what might happen if she finally put herself first. It’s for the woman who’s stayed home too long and is tired of it. The woman who’s ready to heal in nature, to connect with the world outside, to finally feel like she belongs.

It’s for that woman who’s been listening to her own voice being silenced, and she’s done. If that’s you — if you’ve ever felt left out, if you’ve ever wondered if there was a place for you — you’ve found it. We see you. We hear you. And you can stay here with us.

What’s Next for You?

Don’t know where to start? Here’s what I recommend:

Want to test the waters? Join us for a free weekly hike. No commitment. Just show up with your walking stick and an open heart. Next group hike is on 09/12 Saturday at 8:00 am, Governor Dodge State Park (Horse Trail), 18 miles
Dreaming of Peru? Registration opens September 5th. Mark your calendar.
Calling you to South Africa? We have 4 spots left for the healing retreat. This one fills fast.
Patagonia sold out overnight. Get on the waiting list if there are cancellations

Reply to this email and tell me which adventure is speaking to you. I’m here to answer your questions, hear your story, and help you take the first step. The adventure isn’t over. It’s just beginning.