RAMBLER PROFILES

Meet Darlene Huff, a vibrant 63-year-old who has moved from Calgary to Vancouver Island, which she now calls home. With a passion for empowering women, Darlene helps them embrace life's challenges—from boardrooms to backcountry trails—with confidence, courage, and a touch of sass.

 

I love summer! I know it’s hot, but the days are long, which means I get to be outside for longer. I also love the sounds of summer, with kids playing sports or on the playground, people gathering for picnics, birds calling overhead, and music playing outside.

I’m 64, but I feel like I’m somewhere between my mid-40s and mid-50s. I’m healthier and stronger now than I was in my 40s, even though I had been running regularly since my mid-30s. I feel braver, too—I’m much more likely to say yes to things now than I was when I was younger

"Pick your battles." I received this advice from one of my managers while working at the University of Victoria. Life is full of challenges, but not every issue needs to be confronted. It’s important to choose your battles wisely and focus your energy on the things that truly matter.

Summer is my favourite season. I love the beach, whether walking my dog, surfing, paddle boarding or just playing in the sand and shallows with my grandbabies. I’ve always lived by the coast—whether in NZ, Sydney, or Perth—and I can't imagine being far from it.

I have felt lonely many times in my life. It’s easy to sit with that feeling and compare yourself to others. However, I’ve come to recognize the importance of asking, “When was the last time I was the inviter? When did I create an opportunity for friendship and connection?”

You will learn that you are smarter, stronger and more worthy than you give yourself credit for. Believe in yourself, you will grow into a strong and independent woman who may still struggle with insecurity but will find courage and become the person you have hiding inside.

There is a small mountain in Connemara called Máméan (Mawmean), where I go whenever my soul needs a hug. It was an important place of worship in the Pagan Times and is also a place of pilgrimage at certain times of the year.

Sole Sister Ramblers came into my life at just the right time when my world had turned upside down. For years, I had to take care of my husband with Alzheimer's, and as a result, our social circle slowly shrank.

I enjoy being a part of the group of Founders that is bringing Sole Sister Ramblers to the world. I've loved the collaboration of working with some very old friends and a new one. We are in each other's lives daily, which we wouldn't be if Sole Sister Ramblers didn't exist. 

I love how comfortable I am in my own skin. I love the confidence this age has brought me. I love watching my children start their lives. This age also makes me sad. Life is going too fast. I crave for it to slow down. I try to be grateful for every moment … easier said than done.

I love bright colors and flowers in my home, and my favorites are burgundy, blue, and orange. My home entrance is painted pumpkin orange, burgundy in the living room, and the family room is slate blue. I love the colors, and I get a lot of compliments.

Christina Ho is just your average everyday sane, psycho, and super goddess. She is a proud 58-year-old, was born in Taipei, and today loves to ramble in her hometown of Seattle, USA.

Joanne Collins is 65, was born in Toronto, Canada, and currently lives in the township of Magnetawan (population 1,753), located a few hours north of her hometown. She doesn't do things half-measure and tries to squeeze all the great things...

I love the feeling of being comfortable with who I am, the good and the bad. I also love being a witness to the adults my three kids have grown into and the relationship that has evolved between them and me.

So, we bought a rocky scrap of land on Vancouver Island, lived in a holiday trailer with our dog for a couple years, drew a house on grid paper, built it, and officially opened Island Time B&B this year.  I even built the website myself!  How hard could it be, indeed!

Trying to please everyone has been an ongoing theme in my life for as long as I can remember. I’m still learning to set boundaries as I learn more about self-care.  That “no” is a complete sentence is some of the best advice I have received.   

Lisa Spender is a dance teacher with tiny feet who is almost 55 and lives in the United Kingdom. No Shirley Bassey jokes please! Her bravest moment was leaving a long abusive relationship to be a single mum. Also, she left a thirty-year career nine months ago with no plan.

My bucket list includes a road trip across Canada and the United States, visiting all the federal parks. I also dream of spending time anywhere with warm weather and water. I also want to do a walking tour of Scotland, England, and Ireland someday!

I am a night owl and my favorite way to relax is with a strong cappuccino. My teens were spent riding my horse on trails through the woods and over the fields, safely hanging out on beaches, or wandering quiet roads in the moonlight with my friends.

The bravest thing I have ever done was travel alone to Guatemala and Honduras in 2001. I spent two and a half months exploring these two countries, which was scary, exciting, and enlightening.