Friendships That Follow You Home
_{With Carla Leuck & Ken Kutter}

My role has always been to bring our tours to life from behind a desk, helping our guests feel the magic of a destination before they ever set foot there. But last year, I decided to do something that would allow me to guide others through some of the world’s best wonders – I became a Tour Director.

Alaska & Glacier Bay was my first training tour, and while I’ve traveled all over the world, I had never been to Alaska. I was training under the expertise of Tour Director Marie Fell, while also meeting guests who would soon feel less like travelers and more like friends. Ken was one of those guests. He was traveling with his son and daughter-in-law, and we often found ourselves having easy conversations.

It was during our time in Denali National Park, where we sat next to each other for hours riding through vast wilderness and seeking out wildlife, that Ken and I really connected. We talked about everything, from what we’ve enjoyed in Alaska (like seeing baby elk cross right in front of us) to life back home. Those conversations grew deeper, and that’s when we realized we’d both experienced significant loss the year before. Ken had lost his wife, and I had lost my dad.
 

"The world is amazing; how things can come together in little pieces. Sometimes, no matter where you are, if you get talking to people, you'll find a connection that somehow just seems to bring life together and make it so enjoyable." – Ken
 

As the days continued to unfold, I watched connections form throughout the entire group. Guests bonded quickly, laughed together during games like Two Truths and a Lie, and shared stories. The experiences themselves were unforgettable – the Iditarod sled dog demonstrations that had everyone smiling, the train ride through breathtaking mountain scenery, the insight from an Alaskan Native as we cruised in Glacier Bay National Park, and even a stop in North Pole, Alaska. That stop still makes me smile. I convinced Ken to sit with Santa while I took a video. Santa waved and said hello to all of Ken’s grandkids for a treasured keepsake to take home.

Aboard the ship, the sense of togetherness only grew. There was always a familiar face to do something with, whether you wanted to get drinks at the piano bar, try your luck in the casino, play pickleball, attend shows, or grab a bite to eat.

One night, Ken mentioned he was planning to stay up late to watch a country band perform. I told him I would join, but by the time the evening rolled around, I was exhausted and ready to call it a night. I stopped by the lounge before heading to bed and saw Ken sitting there, waiting for the show to start. A quick talk with him changed my mind, and we stayed until the final song!
 

We are both adventurous and game to try just about anything. It makes for a fun time!" – Ken
 

When the tour ended, Ken and I stayed in touch through texts and Facebook. Later that summer, our travels continued separately, me in Portugal and Spain along the Douro River and Ken in South Korea. When we returned, we talked on the phone, sharing memories and catching up. Then, in January, I reached out while planning a road trip to St. Louis. Knowing Ken lived in Missouri, I asked if he might want to meet halfway somewhere to catch up over lunch. Instead, he suggested something better.
 

"I asked her how much time she had,” Ken said. “I told her we could meet at my sister’s house in Ozark and go to Branson from there. Fortunately, she took me up on it.”
 

We met at his sister Della’s house and spent time chatting like old friends. It was wonderful meeting more of his family and introducing them to quintessential Wisconsin drinks, like an Old Fashioned and Spotted Cow.

In Branson, we explored the gorgeous scenery and golf courses at Top of the Rock, which included a golf cart ride through rock formations and waterfalls with a stop to see an incredible overlook of the Ozarks. We also wandered The Landing along the river and tasted some hillbilly moonshine! Who knew it came in so many flavors? Ken mentioned they’re noted for moonshine and that years ago, it was a big bootlegging area. We stayed at Chateau on the Lake with rooms on the 10th floor for sweeping views of the lake and city below.

As I drove back home to Wisconsin, I felt truly grateful. Travel has introduced me to a new lifelong friend, and we’ve already talked about Ken coming north to experience Wisconsin, a Packers game, and a traditional supper club. This is the part of travel we don’t always talk about enough. Yes, you return with wonderful memories and photos. But group travel creates space for terrific conversations on buses, shared meals, and unexpected moments that turn strangers into friends.

"It was fantastic to catch up with Carla. I never imagined such a great friendship would come out of the Alaska tour. Even though my son and daughter-in-law were on the trip, they had their own interests and did their own things, so I was kind of traveling on my own. But with Carla and the rest of the group, I never felt out of place. I always felt like I was part of it.” – Ken
 

And that’s the heart of it. The most meaningful part of a journey isn’t just where you go – it’s who you share.it with, and the friendships that follow you home.