Though Don and Susan Larson have been Zephyr alumni since 1998, I had the great fortune of meeting them when I guided last year’s Chile & Argentina Multisport & Wine Adventure. They are a lovely couple that others seem to gravitate to. Not only do they have the most captivating stories about their fascinating travels abroad, they also clearly are still in love after many years together.
Now both in their 80s, they have continued to follow their passion of traveling the globe and trying new things. Because of this, we thought they would make a wonderful addition to our blog series, Prioritizing Adventure. We caught up with Don and Susan to ask them about their amazing travels.
Here’s what they had to say:
You two have been all over the place and are the definition of world travelers. How do you choose your trips?
We have traveled to many of the 190 or so countries of the world, but are not into counting countries. We generally select trips with an adventure component. Our travel companies usually provide vigorous physical activity combined with cultural, historical, and intellectual values. We also enjoy cruising in ships of all sizes. Our next trip is a river cruise from Prague to Budapest which we chose because it carries bicycles for the passengers.
Don, we know you love to rock climb. What are some of your most memorable climbs over the years?
I began rock and wall climbing at age 65. Many of our trips have included climbing as well as mountaineering. Susan often served as his belayer (belay slave) in indoor gyms such as the Kletterverkehrt in Stockholm and in many others. I climbed in the Todra Gorge in Morocco with an inexperienced guide who spoke no English, and at many sites in New York (Shawangunks), Maine (Otter Cliffs, Mt. Champlain), Vermont (Cathedral Ledge), West Virginia (New River Gorge), Kentucky (Red River Gorge), Nevada (Red Rock Canyon), Wyoming (Devil’s Tower), California (Lover’s Leap), Colorado (ice climbing in Ouray) and Alberta (Goat Mountain); and climbed mountains in Nepal, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Kota Kinabalu in Borneo, Rainier in Washington, and Grand Teton in Wyoming at age 74.
Susan was a willing accomplice but was never interested in going beyond 13,000 feet. In Nepal, she taught children about jet propulsion with a balloon in an elementary school near Tengboche while Don went on to Kala Patar (17,000 feet) for a view of the Everest peak and base camp.
You first joined up with Zephyr on a skating tour through the Netherlands. Do you have any favorite moments from your skating trips?
On skating trips with Zephyr, Susan was always allowed to cycle and serve as my brake on downhills. We fondly recall skating and biking in Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and the U.S. We remember Butch Quick who embraced many a surprised Swiss lady with an emotional “share the love”, celebrating our 48th wedding anniversary along the Mosel river, the manhole cover in Wallace, Idaho proclaimed the Center of the Universe, Martha’s Vineyard on 9/11/01, and my Duluth inline skating marathon in 1 hour 42 minutes at age 65.
Notable cycling vacations include: Don’s 400-mile camping trip Ride-Around-Oregon (including Crater Lake) followed by his 60th high school reunion in Seattle at a venue which promised no-stair access. Don and Susan’s 12-day Velo-Asia trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City with Harrison Ford’s son as our guide. (This trip featured a 14 mile climb from Hoi An to Dalat which was harder than Don’s earlier 8 mile 8% Hautacam ride in his Breaking Away Tour de France tour.) Don’s 26-day cycling/camping trip from Seattle to Minneapolis. His 28%, 1-km mountain bike climb in Switzerland, his frequent 200 mile Seattle to Portland (STP) and Seattle to Vancouver (RSVP-ride Seattle to Vancouver and party) rides. Don and Susan’s rides in New Zealand, Morocco, Chile and Argentina (Zephyr), Canada, Europe and U.S. Susan was a willing companion but sometimes took refuge in a sag wagon.
Out of everywhere you’ve been so far, what was your favorite trip?
Our favorite trip was a mountain bike trip to Bhutan. On our arrival in Paro, the guides were amused to find two almost octogenarians coming for this arduous tour. Susan was dubious when she tried out the bike on the first day and gave up after breaking her ankle on the first night. After an interesting hospital visit for a cast, which was provided free, she was carried piggyback by our guide Karma for 10 days throughout the country.
The hospital could not even accept a donation. Meanwhile, Don struggled through daily two- or three-hour rides on incredibly steep hills. We still exchange emails with Karma and will never forget the concern and care received by Susan throughout the trip. Our 55-year marriage has survived this trip and many others.
Any closing thoughts?
Surprisingly, Susan never vetoed any trip including surfing in Baja California, rafting the Grand Canyon, zip-lining in South Africa, hang-gliding in Malaysia, and marathon running in Boston. She always provided support if not always participation. She married her asthmatic husband well before he quit smoking and began to prioritize physical activity (and adventure!) in his late 40’s.
Thanks, Don and Susan for sharing your story. After hearing about your journeys across the globe, it’s hard not to feel inspired and feel the itch to get back out on the road to explore new places, try new things, and prioritize adventure!
Inspiration!
What a wonderful and inspirational story. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you both loads more fun and adventures.
Having traveled with Don & Susan Larson to Chile & Argentina with Zephyr last Fall, I can say first hand what a pleasure they are to travel with and share time with. Always positive and looking for the adventure in every daily experience. So glad to have had the good fortune to have met them both!
Thanks for the great article! Susan & Don are my wonderful neighbors here in Swarthmore, PA and have inspired me, a Philly born city girl to get involved with Zephyr and other of their adventures. I’m only 77, but can never keep up with the Larsons! Mary Lou
I had the opportunity to travel with the Larsons for the Switzerland tour only to find out we shared an exit off of the Blue Route, as I lived in Media at the time. I had a blast getting to know them, which happens with most of the people on a Zephyr trip. Such a loving couple too. Soon after our trip, they stopped by my house and I was able to share some of my photos with them. Great couple and glad to hear they’re doing well.