A True Love of Discovery: A Road Scholar Couple’s Anniversary Adventure
- Road Scholars Joanne and Dave H. celebrated two milestone anniversaries on Road Scholar adventures, enrolling in programs in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.
- The two appreciated the chance to spend time with others and immerse themselves in nature on these anniversary adventures, especially treasuring the surrounding mountain views.
- Traveling together offers Joanne and Dave the chance to meet new people and find out more about each other, continuing their journey of lifelong learning.
For Joanne and Dave H., learning has been part of their love story from the start. They marked both their 50th and 60th anniversaries with Road Scholar adventures in Wyoming.
“In 2015, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary day in the mists around Jenny Lake,” Joanne recalled. “And that evening, we were settled in with a huckleberry cocktail at Jackson Lake Lodge when we watched the approaching storm strike lightning across the meadow, driving bats inside to shelter in the high rafters of the Lodge. On that adventure in Yellowstone with Road Scholar hiking companions and naturalist leaders, we encountered the expected beautiful scenes, as well as the unusual and lesser-known spots that make Yellowstone worth all the time you can give it. We paused at Mystic Falls in another moment of gratitude for the love we share and the beauty of the natural world.”
Dave and Joanne
Ten years later, the celebrations continued — loving the grandeur of Yellowstone, the couple chose to return to northwestern Wyoming in 2025 for their 60th anniversary, this time to enjoy Yellowstone’s neighboring national park, Grand Teton. “On hikes to lakes and on rafts in rivers under clear skies, we were gifted with spectacular views of the places we remembered so dearly,” Joanne said. “On a board bridge over a shallow river we stopped to hug each other, sharing the pure joy of being together, just as we had 10 years prior.”
Joanne at Grand Teton National Park
It was partially these naturally beautiful settings that drew Joanne and Dave to choose Road Scholar adventures to celebrate their anniversaries. “To honor our long marriage, we wanted fun, natural beauty and companions,” Joanne explained. “With Road Scholar, we knew we could count on all of that, plus a high-quality, action-packed, well-organized, safety-conscious experience. And since we fancy ourselves lifelong learners, Road Scholar always gives us plenty of opportunity to learn something new. The activities go beyond the ordinary, unique compared to other travel organizations. In each case with our anniversaries, Road Scholar offered a couple of programs around Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks that matched up with our anniversary date and ensured we would take in the majesty of the mountains. At each program registration point, we said, “Let’s Go!”
Joanne and Dave first joined Road Scholar in 1998, long before their 50th anniversary. “Many of our excursions throughout the United States have been with Road Scholar,” Joanne explained. “Because we know we can count on great value — the lodging, the expert leaders, the activities. We each have over 30 Road Scholar programs on our records. I even have one of the old red passports Road Scholar used to issue with ink stamps or stickers to commemorate a program!”
Not only have Joanne and Dave learned about the world through their Road Scholar adventures, they’ve also learned more about each other. “I learned how much Dave needs to be outdoors, and he learned how much I enjoy conversation with other people,” Joanne said. “Both of these needs are well-met by Road Scholar programs. Forest explorations, hikes, canoeing, snorkeling, crater rim walks, golfing, stargazing — all are very appealing to us. Then there are the personal stories shared with fellow travelers — along trails, over dinners and during van rides. After 60 years of marriage, travel doesn’t reveal much about each other that we don’t already know. But we’ve discovered how much we both value conscientious, knowledgeable leaders with a good sense of humor, who keep everyone organized and maximize the fun.”
Elderhostel passport
And for the future? Joanne and Dave are ready. “Will we be lucky enough to return for our 70th anniversary? Road Scholar makes such dreams possible.”