When a Journey Becomes Something More

Standing in Awe

From the moment Jocelyn entered Yosemite Valley, she felt something shift. The scale, the beauty, the quiet presence of the landscape — it was unlike anything she had experienced before. She hiked to the top of Sentinel Dome, where she stood beside the weathered remains of the famous tree captured in an iconic photograph by Ansel Adams. Like so many others, she had admired that image for years.  

Even through a light haze from distant wildfire smoke, the view stretched wide and powerfully before her. “It was amazing,” she recalled. “Just being there, where that photograph was taken.”  

Among Giants 

But it wasn’t just the scenery that stayed with her. It was the way the experience deepened as she moved through it — how each moment seemed to open into something more meaningful. That feeling reached its peak in a quiet grove of giant sequoias known as The Senate. 

There, surrounded by trees that have stood for thousands of years, Jocelyn and her fellow participants gathered. Their Group Leader, Chris Cameron, invited each person to read a passage aloud. Jocelyn was handed a verse by Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk and writer whose reflections often explore the connection between nature and the human spirit. 

As she listened and prepared to read, something clicked. “I remember thinking — this is not a coincidence,” she said. “These words were exactly how I felt about nature.” 

The towering trees, some more than 2,000 years old, created a sense of perspective that was both humbling and grounding. Standing beside them, she felt small — but also deeply connected. “These trees are living beings,” she said. “They’ve been here forever. When you see how big they are, how resilient they are — even after fires — it changes you.” 

When it was her turn to read, emotion caught in her voice. “The words spoke to my soul,” she said. 

A Shared Experience

What made the moment even more powerful was the group around her. Though many had arrived as strangers, something about the shared experience — the beauty, the learning, the openness of the setting — brought them together quickly. Jocelyn, who often travels solo, found comfort in that connection. “You don’t feel alone,” she said. “You have the support of the group.” 

There were lighter moments, too. In one grove, a fellow participant read a story about how the chipmunk got the stripes on its back — and as she read, two squirrels sat nearby on a log, as if listening along. It was a small, unexpected moment of joy that stayed with everyone. 

But it was that deeper sense of connection — to the place, to the people and to something beyond both — that defined the experience. “Emotions of joy, love and belonging overwhelmed me,” Jocelyn said. 

“I believe things happen for a reason,” Jocelyn reflected. “All of us ending up there together — you couldn’t plan it that way if you tried.” 

Jocelyn’s journey is a reminder that what happens on a Road Scholar program goes far beyond sightseeing. 

Yes, participants explore extraordinary places. They learn from knowledgeable, passionate instructors. They discover history, science and culture in meaningful ways. But just as importantly, they find connection. Connection to ideas that spark curiosity. Connection to people who quickly become companions. And connection to the world itself — in ways that feel personal and lasting. Sometimes, those connections even feel like something more. 

“I believe things happen for a reason,” Jocelyn reflected. “All of us ending up there together — you couldn’t plan it that way if you tried.” 

The Impact of Opportunity 

Experiences like Jocelyn’s don’t happen by accident. They are made possible by a community that believes in the power of lifelong learning. 

Through the support of donors, Road Scholar is able to open doors for thousands of curious adults each year — including those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. 

The Age of Discovery 

Every year, thousands of learners will set out on their own Road Scholar journeys. Some will be marking milestones — a retirement, a birthday, a long-awaited adventure. Others will simply be seeking something new: a fresh perspective, a sense of renewal or the joy of learning. 

And many, like Jocelyn, will arrive with practical expectations — only to leave with something much deeper. 

Because of this shared commitment to learning, a retired teacher might explore art in Florence for the first time. A solo traveler might find lasting friendships. A caregiver might return home feeling restored. 

These are the moments that matter.