Family Legacy: Sparking a New Generation of Road Scholars

"Dad was always generous with gifts," Laura says. This was especially true when he told his children he was giving each of them a Road Scholar program. “Look through the catalogs,” he said, “and choose something you’d really like to do."

The sisters promised themselves — and their parents — that they would take advantage of this meaningful gift and, after narrowing down their options, they selected Independent New Orleans: Jazz, Jambalaya and Joie de Vivre, a program that would immerse them in the rich culture, cuisine, music and insider spaces of the Big Easy.

What made the experience particularly poignant was that their father, who passed away recently at the age of 88, lived long enough to hear about their plans and share in their experiences.

"We were able to participate in this program while he was still around, sharing our stories and photos along the way," Laura says, reflecting on the bittersweet timing. "The gift from our father was, essentially, the hope that Dawn and I would have the same types of experiences and make the same kinds of connections that both my parents had."

“And we did,” adds Dawn. “We really just had the best time, and we’re so grateful for that.”

Discovering the Depth of Educational Travel

Though their parents became Road Scholars after the children had left home, Laura and Dawn had heard stories about their adventures. Now, experiencing a program firsthand, they understood what had made these explorations so meaningful to their parents.

"Mom and Dad would come back from their adventures, and they'd talk a lot about the education component and what they learned, especially the experiences they were able to have that they wouldn't have gotten on their own," Laura explains.

Both sisters found themselves having similar revelations during their own adventure. "At the end of every day, we couldn’t believe how much we learned about New Orleans. It was so cool. We never would have had those experiences had we not been on a Road Scholar program,'" Laura shares.

With Group Leader Lyndel's knowledge as a local New Orleanian, the program took them beyond the typical visitor experience. Though Laura had visited the city before with her children, this was on a completely different level, offering access to an intriguing side of the city that few outsiders know. "It went so far beyond the surface of New Orleans," she says, appreciating the chance to discover unknown gems and local flavor.

Creating New Bonds

The sisters not only strengthened their relationship with each other during their time in New Orleans, they also formed connections with fellow participants.

"It was definitely amazing sister bonding time," Dawn says. "Laura and I haven't had that much time together, so that was really special."

Equally special, the social aspect of the program proved to be one of the highlights. “We worried that we would be among the youngest in the group and wouldn’t necessarily have much in common with the others, but we all really bonded,” Laura says. 

"It wasn’t a program exclusively for women,” Dawn explains, “But it just happened to become one, and those ladies were just amazing." 

Laura agrees, adding that she keeps in touch with a lot of the women from the program. “I’d love to connect with all of these women again — it would be fun to do another program together."

Changing Perceptions

Laura admits that when they first received the gift, they had some preconceptions about Road Scholar programs. "When Dad gave us the Road Scholar gift, we all a little hesitant. I mean, this was our parents’ organization. In our minds, everyone was going to be their age," she says with a laugh.

However, their experience quickly dispelled those notions. While they may have been among the youngest participants, the sisters found the program was an ideal balance of scheduled activities, downtime and free time, perfect for their interests and energy level.

"I loved how much of it was educational, how much of it was just straight-up fun. Such a nice combination of learning in such a fun environment," Laura reflects.

A Continuing Legacy

For their mom, Carol, who can no longer travel, following her daughters' adventures through daily texts and photos allowed her to participate vicariously in an experience she had loved sharing with her late husband.

"We had Mom texting us every day, looking at the pictures, checking where we were — I think she really enjoyed following us," Dawn says.

The sisters are already contemplating their next Road Scholar adventure, confident that the New Orleans program was just the beginning of their own educational travel journeys. They've even become inadvertent ambassadors, sharing their experiences with friends who have subsequently requested information from Road Scholar.

"I expect there will be a second, and probably a third," Laura says about future programs. 

"It’s just such a wonderful thing, to have a place where you can experience these incredible places, meet people, learn and have so much fun while you’re at it," Dawn adds.

Martin's gift did more than provide his daughters with a memorable week in New Orleans — it passed the torch of a family tradition that now promises to continue into the next generation, creating familial and social connections, fostering learning and building memories — just as he had hoped.

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