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Jo Russell: Traveling Solo Together
By Bernice Karnop Jo Russell, who taught French at Great Falls High and was Dean of Students at C.M. Russell, welcomed retirement because she would again be free to travel. She was hooked on travel when she took her first plane ride as a young college student, or before that when she took her first French class in ninth grade. She sealed the deal by going to Paris her junior year of college and traveling Europe with three friends. Jo organized and led student groups to France when she was teach-
ing, sometimes staying with French families, sometimes keeping the group together. Anytime someone needed a chaperone, anytime a friend wanted to go someplace, Jo was first to pack her bags. “I love to see other places, see how other people live, and see what their life is like. The funny thing still is everyplace I visit, I come home and say, ‘I could live there,’” she admits. It seemed easy but when she made a plan, friends she thought were on board waffled. She once rented a chateau in Paris but the plan fell through. Jo was determined to travel, but knew she needed to figure out something that worked. Her husband supports her traveling but has no desire to go himself. Traveling alone with other couples seemed awkward, and traveling alone, while possible, wouldn’t be as much fun. So last spring she typed “women’s travel groups” into her computer. Women Traveling Together (WTT) popped up. This seasoned Maryland company specializes in small group, womenonly travel. They have tours throughout the U.S. and to the far corners of the world. The prices are reasonable; they cover hotels, most tours, and let you know exactly what meals you are responsible for so you can plan. Everyone on any given trip is excited to be there, and most travel solo without a sister or friend. On Facebook, Jo read one woman’s comment, “My husband doesn’t want to travel. This is half the price and twice the fun!” Jo knew she’d found her group. Her first trip with Women Traveling Together was to Seattle and the San Juan Islands over July 4, 2014. Before the trip, WTT sent a folder full of information where she could stash all the mailings and plane tickets in one place. They sent a list of the 14 other individuals from all over the country who would be in the group, some retired, others not, from a variety of backgrounds and careers. She talked to the woman (Continued on page 22)