| Norm Goldman, Editor of interviews adventure | | | | monkeys and other animals that come by. For |
| travel expert and founder of Adventure Travel | | | | many guests, the highlight is a tour to Corcovado |
| Meldia Source, Nancy Pfeiffer. | | | | National Park by plane or a night camping in the |
| Nancy is proud to say she is a 58 year old | | | | jungle. |
| grandmother and still an active adventure traveler. | | | | - The Ashley Inn in Cascade, ID is the most |
| Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of is excited to | | | | beautiful Inn I've ever visited it's so sweet and |
| have as our guest, Nancy Pfeiffer, founder of | | | | romantic with a fireplace in every room, a spa tub |
| Adventure Travel Media Source. | | | | with lighted waves for soaking, very feminine |
| Good day Nancy and thank you for agreeing to | | | | décor and the most attentive staff |
| participate in our interview. | | | | anywhere. And, you can board the historic |
| Norm: | | | | Thunder Mountain RR line right behind the Inn for |
| Nancy, could you tell us something about yourself | | | | a trip that follows the Payette River Scenic |
| and how did you become interested in setting up | | | | Byway. There are dozens of creeks and rivers |
| Adventure Travel Media Source? | | | | for fly fishing, Lake Cascade 2 blocks from the |
| Nancy: | | | | Inn. Its Idaho's own little mountain kingdom |
| I had been doing general marketing consulting for | | | | perfect for a romantic getaway. |
| a variety of clients, including guest ranches, river | | | | - Canyon Villa in beautiful Sedona, AZ, is located |
| rafting companies and B&B's. In the course | | | | right on the border of the Coconino National |
| of this, I realized over many years that the best | | | | Forest. Of course, everyone knows that Sedona |
| thing I could do for them as far as marketing | | | | is a getaway for the rich and famous and you |
| was to get editorial coverage for them. I | | | | don't have to be rich OR famous to stay at this |
| eventually made the decision in 1999, to switch to | | | | beautiful Inn. It's a hideaway just for the two of |
| doing media relations exclusively. That's when | | | | you and when you're ready to peek outside your |
| ATMS was born. | | | | door, you are surrounded by the red rock beauty |
| Norm: | | | | which beckons you to come out and play. Options |
| What are the principal objectives of ATMS? | | | | include jeep tours, horseback riding, golf, tennis, |
| Nancy: | | | | and spas, biking, hiking and shopping at |
| To obtain quality editorial coverage for our clients | | | | Tlaquepaque, a unique arts and crafts village with |
| in targeted publications. To provide employment | | | | shops, galleries and fabulous restaurants. |
| for a team of talented people and allow them to | | | | - Brooks Lake Lodge in Wyoming's NW Corner, |
| grow and develop skills in the media relations | | | | just outside Grand Teton National Park, is a very |
| environment. To serve the publishing industry by | | | | special place. Listed on the National Register of |
| providing them access to and information about | | | | Historic Places, the Lodge is secluded in winter |
| unusual trips and destinations; and to be a | | | | only reachable by dogsled, snow coach of x-c |
| participant in the global community of adventure | | | | skis. Their lodge rooms and individual cabins are so |
| travel and ecotourism. | | | | cozy; you will just want to snuggle together with |
| Norm: | | | | a cup of hot chocolate or a special bottle of wine. |
| Have you found that adventure travel today is | | | | Gourmet food is prepared by the four star chef |
| much more popular than it was several years | | | | and a winter wonderland awaits you when you |
| ago, and if so, what do you attribute this to? | | | | want to be active. To top it all off, Brooks Lake |
| Nancy: | | | | Lodge just added complete spa facilities, so you |
| Adventure travel has become a very popular | | | | can share a couple's massage to soothe those |
| form of travel, making it the fastest-growing | | | | sore muscles after a day of play. The Lodge is |
| segment of the travel industry for the past 5-7 | | | | open in summer as well but nothing compares to |
| years, according to various industry specialists. | | | | the winter getaways at Brooks Lake Lodge. |
| Adventure travel takes many forms and can | | | | - Hidden Creek Ranch in Harrison, ID, just outside |
| mean anything from a bus tour through a national | | | | Coeur d'Alene is a dude/guest ranch second to |
| park to extreme mountain climbing in Nepal. | | | | none. The cabins offer the perfect retreat for the |
| The reasons for this are many including the fact | | | | two of you, all decorated in Native American |
| that the baby boom generation has had access to | | | | style. Gourmet food and wine are served in the |
| travel during their lives. They tend to be well | | | | dining room; horseback riding takes guests |
| education, high wage earners and very curious | | | | through forests and up the mountainsides each |
| about the world around them. These tendencies | | | | day. Hot tubs are discreetly positioned behind the |
| make them a natural for adventure travel where | | | | cabins for late night soaks under the moon. A |
| they can do such things as: a cooking school in | | | | very well-trained staff will attend to your every |
| Provence, a bike tour of the Canadian Rockies, a | | | | need. Each Wednesday evening, owner, Iris Behr, |
| safari to Kenya, an adventure cruise to the | | | | leads a special program of Native American |
| Galapagos, a backpacking trip in Moab, skiing in | | | | ceremonies, including a pipe ceremony and a |
| Jackson Hole, wildlife expeditions to Churchill, | | | | traditional sweat lodge. What a wonderful way to |
| Manitoba to view Polar Bears, a Native American | | | | connect with your spouse or lover than to share |
| guided tour of the Ute Tribal Park, etc. | | | | such an intimate evening. Massages are available |
| No more are travelers content to drive through | | | | as well as yoga and meditation classes; fly fishing |
| Glacier National Park- they now want to hike the | | | | lessons, an adventure challenge course and much |
| glaciers, view wildlife and learn to fly fish on their | | | | more await you at this beautiful Ranch. |
| vacation. These factors have led to the genre of | | | | Norm: |
| adventure travel. | | | | What does travel mean to you? |
| Norm: | | | | Nancy: |
| No doubt, you have experienced many adventure | | | | Travel is an exploration, a learning experience and |
| experiences. Which ones would you consider to be | | | | an opportunity to refresh and restore my spirits |
| your favorites and why? | | | | through trying new things, meeting new people, |
| Nancy: | | | | etc. |
| My personal favorite adventure is whitewater | | | | Norm: |
| rafting. I did not begin adventuring until I was 40 | | | | How many months of the year do you devote to |
| and recently divorced. I took my first week-long | | | | travel? |
| rafting trip on the Main Salmon River in Idaho with | | | | Nancy: |
| a client. I was frightened to death and determined | | | | It varies, according to my business, but counting |
| that I would do it and survive. | | | | both business and leisure travel, probably about |
| I did survive the River of No Return and have | | | | 5-6 months are spent on the road. |
| now done that trip 13 times as well as the Middle | | | | Norm: |
| Fork of the Salmon, many stretches of the | | | | What advice would you give to anyone who |
| Colorado River as well as other rivers. | | | | never experienced a travel adventure tour and |
| River trips are wonderful because they include | | | | would like to try it? |
| many other elements such as hiking, fly fishing, | | | | Nancy: |
| wildlife viewing and camping. I also enjoy hiking, | | | | Be sure to go with a reputable outfitter or |
| camping and fishing with my husband, riding | | | | operator. Try something you've always wanted |
| horses, snowshoeing really anything that takes | | | | to do the options are limitless! Ask for references |
| place outdoors, in nature, and involving some | | | | from others who have traveled with the |
| activity or personal challenge. I'm a 58-year-old | | | | company you are considering booking with. The |
| grandmother and if I can do it, anybody can! | | | | company will provide you with lists of what to |
| Norm: | | | | wear, what to bring and what to expect. If they |
| Readers of are always on the lookout for unique | | | | do not answer your questions and treat you with |
| romantic getaways. Would you be able to | | | | courtesy and kindness go to someone else. |
| recommend five adventure tours that you would | | | | There are resources out there that provide |
| not only consider to be adventurous but also | | | | professional credentials to outfitters America |
| romantic? | | | | Outdoors, the Dude Rancher's Association, etc. |
| Nancy: | | | | They will work with you to find the right trip and |
| - Lapa Rios Eco Lodge in Costa Rica is a | | | | the right outfitters or operator. |
| spectacular and romantic destination. It is located | | | | Norm: |
| on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica so there is | | | | Is there anything else you wish to tell our |
| plenty of surfing, wildlife tours, hiking and water | | | | readers? |
| sports available right outside your door. Activities | | | | Nancy: |
| at Lapa Rios are focused around the rainforest | | | | I have had a much more wonderful life in the |
| and the nearby Ocean. Rainforest hikes, bird | | | | years since I began adventuring. Experiential travel |
| watching, Ocean Kayaking, horseback riding, catch | | | | is so fun and exciting. I've met wonderful people |
| and release sport fishing and surfing are some of | | | | and it has enriched my life beyond measure. I |
| the activities offered. Furthermore, guests can | | | | encourage everyone to get out there and learn |
| take massages, participate in Yoga classes, relax | | | | about our world, about the cultures of the world, |
| at the pool with a tropical cocktail or just take a | | | | about nature and wildlife. It will make you a better |
| nap in a hammock and maybe observe the birds, | | | | citizen of the planet earth! |