THE PATIENT PARTNERS PERILOUS PATHFINDING PRACTICE PROGRAM

A weekend of life or death...

Harmony or dissonance. Marriage or divorce. It was a weekend to Windrock Park where we were going to be doing driver swaps: The husbands of the group, who for us typically do most of the driving on trips, swapping to be the passengers, while the wives took the wheel for a weekend of getting comfortable with the vehicle and learning the ins and outs of adventure travel. This trip was to be called, The Patient Partners Perilous Pathfinding Practice Program (PPPPPP for short) But, you see, it’s not the trip itself that is the real story, but the history of how this trip came to be. The trip was being planned by four couples, who just a few years ago did not know each other It was other trips, gatherings, and adventures, planned by others, that led to conversations between these strangers which would create friendships foundational to future adventures like that of the PPPPP.

If you are like us, you may travel hours to meet up with like-minded individuals to hit the trails and camp. Once you are at your destination and ready for the day’s adventures, it’s back in the vehicle Maybe you have a companion, furry or otherwise, or maybe you ride solo; but either way, like everyone else in your convoy, you are separated by a few car lengths of distance This is where the in-vehicle radio, commonly a GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radio, can enhance the trip.

When we started traveling in groups, we saw the radios as for instruction or emergency purposes. Miss a turn? Get on the radio. Need a spotter? Holler! Need to pull over for a bio break? Yeah, us too thanks for speaking up And depending on your background, this mentality can be drilled into you, as the case of Chad who we traveled with last year You see, Chad was formerly in the Army (if you asked him how long he’s been retired, he’d tell you to the day…no matter what day you asked him), and he was initially caught off guard with all the discretionary radio chatter on one of our trips, because it was instilled in him that the radio was for business only. On this trip, we had questions about adventure stories, advice on vehicle mods, and favorite snacks all being thrown over the air. Although it took him some time to get used to it and he often didn’t partake in over-the-air banter, he shared with us how engaging it was for those in his vehicle to listen to the conversation and discuss the answers amongst themselves It also gave us all something to come together and re-live or expand upon when we got to camp.

It is amazing what some small conversations with strangers can lead to. Reminiscing on stories of shared hobbies. Establishing business ventures and partnerships. Or learning about deep, mutual life experiences, such as finding someone else who has had the experience of being a foster parent and sharing the love and heartache of the system

Over the years, conversations started on the trails have personally led us to amazing friendships all around the country, and even world These friendships, in turn, result in additional adventures to create this infinite circle of more conversations, more friendships, and more adventures. So, whether you are a campfire chronicler or a radio raconteur, keep telling those stories because it’s the trail chatter that will continue to build this community

-Paul and Bethany Gunnels, Radio Chatter – The Ultimate Conversation Starter Game for Adventurers