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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2001)
juna 1. 2001 I t’s the quintessential dykey idea: Figure out a way for women to travel safely and cheaply by helping each other through a broad network of friendly faces. And this was in place long before the Internet made such ideas truly feasible. In the old days, women planned their trips via the U.S. Mail! If you’re a lesbian of a certain age, you’ve probably seen the amazing pub lication Lesbian Connection. Published every two months for the past 23 years, the magazine offers a wealth of information for women on the move. It’s a very grassroots kind of thing, with all articles coming from the readers themselves. In the back is a large classified section that lists places to stay all over the country that are lesbo- owned or operated. The list even includes pri vate homes for rent or exchange. For example, I’m intrigued by the River Inn on the Yellowstone in Livingston, Mont. I’ve been to this small town, a spectacular setting just oozing charm. The ad invites you to “Tuck into our cowgirl cabins nestled on five garden acres.” And these days it’s a snap to find out more at www.wtp.net/go/riverinn. A visit to the site confirms my hunch; this is a gorgeous spot— you can even stay in a shepherd’s wagon! And in true dyke style, the site reveals that the place is run by Dee Dee, Ursula, Jake the Dog and Bones ’n’ Charlie the Cats. Another great idea from Lesbian Connection is an Alaskan wilderness sailing trip with expert lesbian guides. They operate out of Juneau and promise “whales, bears, eagles and hot springs.” They, too, are wired at www.alaska.net/~sailak/. At their site you’ll find awesome photos of their yacht cruising through icebergs and past glaci ers. What a great adventure that would be! Many readers are rural dwellers, and the pub lication consistently posts notices about various opportunities to live communally on women’s land. Many communities welcome paying guests, whose nominal fees help sup port the group. It’s a fun way to see what it’s like to live with a dozen or so other dykes. A recent issue pro motes a visit to Tierra de Sapa- jane, a high desert community in southern Colorado. The 400 acres boast “secluded, for ever views, pine trees, mead ows, abundant wildlife and peaceful relaxation.” Sign me up! The March/April issue contains a list of major women’s festi vals all over the country that could lived in a funky but charming older house and soon made me feel like an invited guest. Janice was also a wealth of information, even hooking me up with other Contact Dykes along my route. She made my whole trip vastly more enjoyable, especially because I was traveling in the autumn, definitely the high season in New England. Co-captains Karen and Terry will take you sailing in Alaska Tuck yourself into this shepherd’s wagon at the River Inn on the Yellowstone How I spen t my summer vacation... Meeting friendly women all over the country by O (Formerly Downtown Travel Services) We Took You to N e w York for G ay G am e s IV -1994 We Took You to A m sterdam for G ay G am e s V -1998 N ow : Let U s Take You to S y d n ey - Nov. 2002 Anthony’s Cabins & R V Park Gay owned. Located a short walk from downtown and the beach. Seven uniquely decorated cabins in a friendly setting. Visit u s on the Web at www.anthonyshomecourt.com or call Toll-free 1-888-787-2754 r ia n a inspire a trip to someplace new. The May/June issue compiles the smaller events (and even includes our own Women in the Woods). See sidebar for examples. But what LesCon, as it’s affectionately called, is famous for is its list of Contact Dykes. Women from all over the coun try—and beyond— who are willing to have their name and phone number on the yearly list are available to help you out when you’re far from home. What they’re willing to offer varies wide ly— it might be anything from a referral to budget lodging to a potluck invitation to the name of the only dyke bar in town to an offer of a place to crash. Some women just like meeting new people and potentially building relationships for future home trades (assuming V a co ilM T ravel Planners Long Beach Peninsula 31 GAY GAMES VI Call Rip For All Your Travel Needs: (503) 223-1100 • (800) 357-3194 email: gavtravel6Tiplanvacationtravel.com www.iPlanVacationTravel.com G reen you live somewhere desirable, which is a big Yes for all of us in the Northwest). I know of friendships that have been forged in this way, with women trading houses in Port land and Cape Cod, Mass., every summer. Some years ago I tried this system myself and met some wonderful women. I was traveling in New Eng land— very unfamiliar terri tory, and overtly queer estab lishments of any kind were difficult to locate. Enter Janice, the wel coming Contact Dyke in Portsmouth, N.H., who met me at a cafe (presumably to check me out), then invited me to follow her home. She Performers at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival present a wide array of music HIDDEN HARBOR So if you like some friendly folks mixed in with your adventures, give Lesbian Connec tion a try. Just call 517-371-5257, e-mail elsiepub@aol.com, or write to Ambitious Amazons, P.O. Box 811, East Lansing, MI 48826. j n Entertainment Editor ORIANA GREEN is a world traveler whose favorite trip ever took her into the arms of a very friendly Swiss Miss. Write to her at oriana@justout.com. Upcoming women's fe stiv a ls N W a t io n a l o m e n ’ s M u s ic F e s t iv a l June 21-24 Muncie, Ind. 317-927-9355 www.wiaonIine.otg/nwmf/ G o ld en T hreads C e l e b r a t io n June 21-24 Provincetown, Mass. goldentred@aol.com M ic h ig a n W o m y n ’ s M u s ic F e s t iv a l Aug. 7-12 Hart, Mich. 231-757-4766 www.michfest.com W lMINFEST Aug. 31-Sept. 2 Albuquerque, N.M. 800-499-5688 wiminfest@hotmail.com f « (Samp (g a u » ip © (!Jir August 10-13,2001 ¿f' MARINA & RV PARK O n the Sacramento R iver 24680 Hidden Harbor Dr. Los Molinos, CA 96055 (503) 384-0177 (503) 384-1800 Summer Camp for Gay and Lesbian families on the Oregon Coast (Children ages 3 and older) • Family, adult and children activities • Family style meals • Caring staff • Friendly, accepting environment For more information or to register call 503-294-7476 Financial Assistance Available
