The Permission Slip You've Been Waiting For: Introducing R.Wing Travel for Women
In the space of one week this fall, my world tilted on its axis. I watched my oldest son walk his beautiful bride down the aisle, a moment of profound joy and a clear marker of a new chapter in my life as a mother. Days later, I was deep in the Minnesota wilderness with a group of eight courageous women, paddle in hand, feeling the quiet strength of the Boundary Waters.
During that time, an idea that had been simmering just under the surface finally emerged with complete clarity: Women travel differently. We experience the world differently. And we deserve a way of traveling that honors that truth.
That’s why I am so incredibly proud and excited to announce the official evolution of my business into R.Wing Travel for Women.
This isn't just a change in marketing; it's a deep alignment with my core purpose. And it all comes down to a simple question: What happens when women are given the space to be truly, fully themselves?
The Freedom to Feel Safe
On our trip, as I sat on a rock overlooking a vast, silent lake, three canoes paddled by carrying nine men. They stared at our group. A few lifted a hand to wave. They were likely perfectly wonderful human beings, but in that moment, I was suddenly, intensely glad I had eight other women with me. We were miles from any help, with no phone reception.
If I had been there alone, or with just one other woman, I would have hidden. I would have made myself small, hoping they wouldn’t see two "vulnerable" women. Are we vulnerable? Yes. That’s not up for debate. Most of us have a catalog of experiences—cat-calling, being followed, groping, stalking—that have taught us to keep our guard up. Traveling as a woman, especially in the wild, requires a constant, exhausting calculus of risk. With that group of women, however, that background hum of anxiety faded away. I didn’t have to calculate. I could just be.
The Freedom from Care-taking
It’s more than just physical safety. Women are givers. We are the caretakers. It’s a stereotype grounded in a deep truth. What happens when a group of women travel together, or solo, and only have to think about themselves?
It’s a literal ‘let your hair down’ moment.
The question, “Did you get enough to eat?” is no longer rooted in the maternal worry that someone you love might suffer. With a group of women, it comes from a place of camaraderie, of making sure everyone gets a fair share. That deep, instinctual worry I feel for my children and my family simply dissolves when you are with capable women who can take care of themselves. Suddenly, you find yourself untethered.
For years, I’ve planned vacations for my family and found joy in their experiences. But on trips for myself, a shift began to happen. The thought, “Oh, my kids would love this,” was gradually replaced by a quiet, simple, and profound ability to experience something just for me.
The Freedom from Guilt
For many of us, this idea can feel incredibly selfish. We may even feel a pang of guilt. Spending money and time on travel when I should be with my family?
Let me tell you about my friend Jodi. Years ago, when I had three little kids, two still in diapers, she told me she regularly took long weekends to rent a condo on the North Shore by herself. To read. To rest. To answer to no one.
I’ll be ashamed to admit it now, but my first thought was that it seemed radical, even selfish. But it stuck with me. I recognized that I never got a break. My husband had his commute, his time doing yard work. My time was a constant 24/7 loop of wiping noses and managing schedules. The idea of intentionally stepping away began to feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity.
So consider this your official permission slip. From a former teacher, no less.
Look at your calendar and unabashedly, shamelessly, carve out time for yourself. It doesn't have to be a two-week trip to Italy (though it certainly can be!). It can be a staycation while the kids are in school. A weekend at a state park. A day at the library.
It's time we start caring for ourselves as intensely as we do for others. It’s time we listen to our own inner voices.
Going forward, this is what we will do together. We will explore journeys curated for the female traveler, from solo adventures to small group getaways, all designed to empower you, inspire you, and connect you with yourself and the beautiful world we share.
Randi is a writer, travel advisor, and former teacher helping you find courage, connection, and adventure through travel. For more inspiration and stories, follow R.Wing Travel on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, or visit www.rwingtravel.com.
