NextTribe | Jeannie's Monthly Journal

Of All the Tea Joints…

I first have to explain how small this town is. Allihies, located on the craggy coastline of Ireland’s Beara Peninsula, counts as residents 400 people and probably 5,000 sheep. The view from the one-street town center qualifies, in my mind, as the embodiment of desolate beauty.

I was stopping at a cafe there with a group of NextTribe travelers. We were inside getting a snack before heading out on a hike along the cliffs with a local historian and storyteller.

“Jeannie?” someone said tentatively.

I looked up and saw a woman I’d never met, standing next to an equally unfamiliar man. She smiled and said, “I know who you are. You run NextTribe. I follow you.”

The woman, Kerry O’Shea, is from Southlake, Texas and she was visiting family in the area along with her husband.

I think it was a few minutes before I could speak. I believe my mouth kept gaping open and closed, fish-like. To be recognized in what could justifiably be called the middle of nowhere made me dizzy, heady. I hugged her and wanted to ask her 100 questions, but we were leaving on our hike.

Fortunately, we ran into the couple again beside the cliffs, and I got a photo and a promise that she’d travel with us someday. “I love what you’re doing with NextTribe,” she said. Our trip along Ireland’s Wild West Coast was already pretty divine and that chance meeting just sent it over the top.

Ain’t life grand?

And Then There’s This…

Those of you who have followed NextTribe for a few years heard all about my divorce after 29 years of marriage. I received so much support from so many friends and readers, which made all the difference! Of course there were many times I swore I would never get married again.

But then I met Mike Floyd about 2 ½ years ago. He moved to Asheville with me at the end of 2023, and proved how dependable and resourceful he is when he managed the aftermath of Hurricane Helene while I was in Portugal, Peru and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. But that’s only one reason I love him.

Though we had talked about getting married, it was all kept pretty loose. Then a couple of weeks ago, before I left for Ireland, Mike suggested we go out to our favorite restaurant—located at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. And what did he do while we were soaking in the sunset over the mountains before sitting down for dinner? He produced a ring and a certain question.

I was completely surprised. I really didn’t think there would be such a romantic gesture at this age. I’m sure that’s not fair because of course I always talk about doing anything you want and defying stereotypes as you get older. So now I get to live it—marrying an ideal partner at this later stage of life. Yahooo!

Cuter Couple Alert

I can only hope the month of June is as fantabulous as May has been (I said my “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” this morning. Did you?). After a week in Scotland with Mike, I’ll be taking a small group from Edinburgh to the Highlands, stopping to coo over Highland Cows, sheepdogs and check out small villages and Outlander sites. Once I get back to Asheville, I’ll have a week to prepare (hair color appointment, eyelashes, facial, the works) before heading to Colorado for my oldest son’s wedding.

I love his fiancee and her parents. I’m very lucky, and boy, do I know it and embrace it, especially after being at such a low point a few years ago. It says to me that even after heartbreak, life can really take a major turnaround. Knock on wood!!

Hope to see you down the road…

Jeannie Ralston, CEO and Co-Founder

P.S. Want to know what kind of women travel with us? Check out this video I made that explains it all.

P.P.S. Want to see the clothes and gear that Jeannie recommends for travel and life? Click here for a whole assortment of goodies.

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