Hi all:

Today’s column is written by LAC adventure expert, Laura Shen. She has some exciting news to share with this community.

Take it away, Laura:

The last time I wrote a guest post, I had just finished hiking the 48 New Hampshire 4,000 footers. I left a personal component out of that story. I finished the 48 on October 31 and had my embryo transfer on November 9. 

People’s paths to parenthood (should they want that) are all different. The Ladies Adventure Club has played a meaningful road in my journey. In April 2021, I was on a LAC hike up Mount Kearsarge North; I confided in several LACers that I was early in our pregnancy. A few weeks later, we learned we had a miscarriage. It’s a toss up to tell people early – there’s a level of vulnerability one feels – but when I needed support these LAC women showed up and continued to show up. I leaned into the LAC. The trail conversations provided perspective. While my body wasn’t cooperating in some ways, I felt empowered by the movement and feats that LAC adventures provided. 
 
Our family building journey took us the route of science and we were fortunate to be able to pursue IVF (invitro-fertilization) last year. I remember being cautious after the embryo transfer and into the early months of pregnancy. In March, I joined an informal group of LAC women for a winter weekend up at West Branch Pond Camps. As we chose our adventures of the day, I was drawn to a group heading out to Little Lyford and back – 18 miles. Can I do it? Should I do it? I had maintained an active lifestyle and the other LACers were medical professionals. I went for it. It was one of the best days of pregnancy. Do I love cross-country skiing? No. But it came with a sense of accomplishment – growing a baby and getting outside and moving my body in a community of bad-ass women, who cheer you on every step of the way and adjust the pace to finish together. 
 
My partner and I welcomed Noa into the world in early August. As we searched for a name, I was drawn to Noa which means motion and movement in Hebrew. A fitting namesake for a lifetime of adventures. I can only hope she finds a community of women like the LAC to support and inspire her like the LAC has supported and inspired me.
 

Laura, you continue to inspire me with your grab-all-of-life attitude and enthusiasm for digging deep and pushing hard. Can’t wait to watch Noa become another bad-ass adventurer (if that’s what she desires!).

There will be an LAC email next Sunday, but I’m travelling in early October so you’ll get a break during the first part of next month. Hope you get out and see some beautiful fall foliage over the next few weeks.
 

Upcoming Community (not all LAC) Adventures – These are not LAC adventures (except for the ones that say, “LAC”). These are adventures we’re sharing that are put-on by other orgs. If you have ideas for the calendar or want to organize an LAC community adventure, please send me a note.

Maine

🍁 October 1: Morning Yoga at Broadturn Farm
🍁 October 1: Contemplative Fall Walk
🍁 October 5-19 (Thursdays): Outdoor Gear Repair with Maine Gear Share
🍁 October 6: Pineland Farms Women’s Hike Night
🍁 October 7: Saddleback Mountain 5K
🍁 October 7: Pleasant Mountain 20K
🍁 October 10: Laurie Apgar Chandler of Waldoboro will speak about her solo thru-padde of the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail (Zoom link)
🍁 October 14: Hike for Hospice
🍁 October 14 & 15: Becoming an Outdoors Woman Skills Weekend
🍁 October 21: Outing Group for Women: Foraging
🍁 November 4: Baxter Outdoors Lost Valley 5K Relay

Happy adventuring,