RAMBLER PROFILES

I grew up in Dublin, and what I treasure most about those years was the tight-knit community that shaped who I am today.

My favorite place to ramble is in the woods—hiking, surrounded by trees, with nothing but the sound of leaves beneath my feet and birds overhead. When I’m out there, I feel completely alive. The woods are where I go to clear my head, find peace, and reconnect with what matters most. Nature reminds me that we’re part of something much bigger—and that beauty can be found in the quiet, in the stillness, and in each step.

I love Wales so much that it’s my dream to retire there one day with my partner and two dogs. The beaches are so underrated—you can find yourself on the most beautiful stretch of sand with not another person in sight. My dream is to open my front door and see rolling hills stretching for miles in peaceful tranquility. I enjoy noise when I seek it, but I truly love being able to retreat into solitude.

I live beside the sea in Dublin and most mornings the first thing I do is walk along
the seafront. Since walking the Camino last year, sunrise is my favourite time to
walk.

I’m 62 years old, but honestly, I feel like I’m 16. I still wake up excited about the day ahead. I get to do the things I love with the people I love, and that keeps me feeling vibrant and alive.

Like many of us, reaching midlife made me evaluate my future and think about what I want my next chapter to look like. We cannot predict what will happen, but I want to try to make my next couple of decades as active and healthy as I can without regrets.

Meet Jill Thomas — founder of Sole Sister Ramblers, traveler, storyteller, and passionate Rambler. Discover her journey, inspirations, and love of long walks, community, and adventure in midlife and beyond.

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. 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.

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. 

Travel, travel, travel, travel and travel . . . particularly this year when I turn 70. I plan to take a vacation once a month for the next 12 months. I am heading to St. Augustine and Amelia Island, Florida, next, and then who knows what I will decide to do after that!

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...