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You need a vacation
1 veryhcxiy needs a vacation. But if you’re
One of the goals of 2 Girls is to get
overworked and stressed out, the last thing
women more comfortable taking risks and
you want to do is put time and effort into
seeking adventures. Traveling to a foreign
i researching a place, making the arrangements
country can be intimidating, notes Hall,
2 Girls Travel opens up
and heading off to some unknown destination.
describing a scene at the airport. “It’s crazy.
a
world
of
possibility
for
women
That’s where 2 Girls Travel comes in. Part
There’s all these people, and I don’t speak
ners Pam Monette and Elise Campbell started
Spanish. Taxi drivers are trying to get you to
by K a t h y B elge
their business as a way to empower women to
go with them. If you haven’t been there
get out and explore. They’re
before, you don’t know what to do.” The two
says, where they ate dinner over
planning their third trip to
girls of 2 Girls help their charges navigate the
looking the whole hay and city at
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in
sunset. “We never would have
airport, exchange their dollars for pesos and
November and their first to Las
found that,” Vakarcs says.
set up the first dinner and breakfast.
Vegas next month.
Riding Dianas boat into the hay
They also arrange some side trips that
Monette had been an
and seeing dolphins was a highlight
women are welcome to participate in or not.
active member of the Women
for both women. Some members of
Most do. They leave plenty of time for explor
in the Woods annual weekend
ing, shopping, lounging at
the group jumped
at Breitenhush Hot Springs,
in and swam with
the beach or swimming in
and some of the attendees were
the dolphins. “I
one of the many pools at the
asking for winter activities.
have not had
hotel. “Pam and Elise do a
The couple took note and
such a fun vaca
really nice job of facilitating
planned Women in the Waves,
tion ever,” Hall
the group,” says Vakarcs.
their first Mexico vacation in
says. “It made you
“They have a nice combina
2002. “We wanted to take the
feel like a kid
tion of organized activities
magic of Women in the Woods
again.”
and free time."
on vacation,” says Monette.
“I believe in my heart of
—Christine Hall
Christine Hall, 45, has
onette and
hearts if someone goes travel
been on both Puerto Vallarta
ing with us and then they travel on their own,
Campbell started 2 Girls
trips and plans to go to Las
it’s a good thing,” says Monette, who finds that
because they love to travel
Vegas and hack to Mexico
and wanted to do so in the compa
sometimes women are afraid to travel alone.
again this year. A stress-related Elise Campbell (left) and Pam Monette of 2 Girls Travel flank tour
ny of other women. They don’t
“They don’t get to see how capable and power
illness convinced her she need co-conspirator Diana in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
ful they are.” j n
make any money off the trips but
ed a vacation.
admit they hope by the time they
“It was easy because it was all prearranged,”
best things about traveling with 2 Girls was
retire the trips will fund their way. Campbell is
2 G irls T ravel ’ s trip to Los Vegas is May 19 to
says Hall, who traveled by herself for the first
their connection with a local lesbian tour guide a real estate broker, and Monette owns Helen s
23. Puerto Vallarta’s Women in the Waves is
time and enjoyed the company of the other
named Diana, who took the group of about 16
Pacific Costumers in Northeast Portland.
Nov. 6 to 13 (seven nights) or Nov. 6 to 20 (14
women. “You get the benefit of a tour package
women to a remote beach and to a bed and
The couple are thinking of future trips to
nights). Receive a discount if you book by June 1
hut the freedom of being by yourself.”
breakfast owned by a tequila distiller up in the
Europe, Florida and Provincetown, Mass., hut
at 503-281*3252.
Trisha Vakarcs, 55, has also been on both
hills. Some of the women went horseback rid
acknowledge most of their clients are kxiking
trips and plans to go again. She said one of the
ing and all enjoyed a wonderful restaurant, she
for more exotic vacations.
KATHY B e l g e is a Portland free-lance writer.
T have not
had such a fun
vacation ever.
It made you feel
like a kid again”
McMENAMINS
First Congregational
United Church of Christ
to r * » » *
Opening Ceremonies
April 17th at Panorama
7 to 9pm
Celebrate our
10th Anniversary.
*% ¡
.i
1126 SW PARK AVENUE
228-7219
Opening Day
April 18th
Gordon Faber
Recreation Complex in Hillsboro
Come cheer on your favorite team!
Join Us Holy Week
Palm Sunday
Procession from the Park
w ith C in n a m o n the donkey
April 4, 10:15 a.m.
• >:
I ¿ea#**
:
‘EDGEFIELD Ç R A N D IO D G E
. .
'J . y.
. <• / -
H O TE L OREGON
' ' < ' ■
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C Si ■ <
■
■
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_
' ‘ V
KENNEDY SCHOOL
Maundy Thursday
Soup Supper & Service
April 8, 6 p.m.
CORNELIUS TASS 'ROADHOUSE
Easter Sunday
THE CRYSTAL 'BALLROOM
Trumpets, Bells, Choirs, Special Music
Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross preaching
April 11, 10:25 a.m.
Event spaces available now.
'tyou M il Idue time to jock ...a il fda/jeno, coelcome.
An open and affirming church
( 50 )) 492-1777 ($77) 49^777
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or visit us at mcmetiamins.iom
where all are welcome - gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender and straight
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