You may have driven past Rock Creek Park, Cabin John, or one of the many wooded trails around Chevy Chase and Bethesda hundreds of times without ever wondering what was behind the trees.
You are on your way to work, the grocery store, dinner, an appointment. You know the road. You know the traffic light. But turn off that road, walk for five minutes, and suddenly you are beside a creek, under a canopy of trees, and the city feels much farther away than it actually is.
That is the part I wish more people knew.
We spend so much of our lives going from one indoor place to another. We sit at desks, look at screens, get back in the car, and go home. Even when we want to get outside, there can be enough friction to stop us. Where should I go? Where do I park? Is the trail marked? How hard is it? Do I need hiking boots? And who am I going with?
Better Outside Together grew out of my belief that getting outside shouldn’t have to feel complicated. I create outdoor experiences for women and for organizations, and a big part of my job is simply making it easy for you to show up. I find the trail, plan the route, and handle the details. You get to walk.
And once you start walking, something changes.
You put your phone away. You notice the creek beside you. You talk to the person walking next to you, often in a way that feels different from sitting across a table. On our women’s hikes, those conversations can turn strangers into familiar faces and, over time, friends. The hikes create a regular reason to get outside, move your body, and spend time with other women without having to organize it yourself.
The same thing happens with teams. If most of your workday happens in meetings and on screens, imagine spending a few hours walking with colleagues you rarely have time to really talk to. Our facilitated team experiences use movement, nature, and conversation to help people understand each other beyond their roles and job titles.
You do not have to drive to Shenandoah or plan a weekend away to feel like you have escaped your routine. There may be a trail ten minutes from your house that you have never noticed.
You have probably passed it before. Maybe it is time to see where it goes.
You do not have to drive to Shenandoah or plan a weekend away to feel like you have escaped your routine. There may be a trail ten minutes from your house that you have never noticed.