Hiking
There are many places to hike in Wisconsin. The Ice Age Trail, State Parks, State Natural Lands, Golf Courses, and many more. If there is a trail to be found we will hike it.
Kayaking
When the sun is out and the water glistens the water is where we will be.
Biking
When are legs and arms get tired from hiking or kayaking a nice ride along a bike trial is where you can find us. Adventure is what we seek and adventure is what we will find.
Snowshoeing
Snow? Snow is best when snowshoeing on trails that can’t be hiked in the summer. Getting out in the winter is the difference between long cold days or days short and fun filled. This makes winter a very short season.
About
Who We Are
Ladies Actively Exploring the Great Outdoors, began in 2013. When asked after their presentation on the National Ice Age Scenic Trail (IAT) Ruth Sommers and Dianne Genz expressed their desire to start a hiking group for women. Both women have hiked the entire IAT of the over 1000 miles, which is located entirely in the state of Wisconsin.
Modeled after a similar group in a nearby county, LAEGO members are active, supportive women with open minds, a positive attitude, and a sense of adventure. The range of age of the women is between 45 and 75 representative of all walks of life-single, widowed, married, retired professional and blue collar.
The group’s mission statement includes the words “LAEGO is open to all women who are interested and able to participate in active (self-propelled) outdoor activities in the company of other women.”
Hikes vary in length and difficulty. All Hikes are rated by the participants after each event. The average hike is between five and seven miles. A warm summer hike on the West Bluff trail at Devils Lake in Wisconsin is rated “Ten” in LAEGO’s grading of hikes. The trail involves hiking up hundreds of steps on ancient quartzite rock.
Past LAEGO event include over fifty different outdoor activities. Bicycling and kayaking were added in the scheduling of events in 2015. An overnight outing to a distant location became part of the events in 2016. Web page was added also in 2016.
One of the reasons for LAEGO’s success is that leadership is shared by all its members. “We meet for a planning session with a potluck meal twice a year.” Dianne states. Leadership of hikes is rotated amongst the members. All of the events are pre-screened and tested by the leader and co-leader prior to the day scheduled. The member knows beforehand what she can expect on the scheduled day of the activity.
The LAEGO logo arose after a five-mile hike and lunch in a café near the trail. Upon hearing of the group’s adventure, the waitress commented “You are a bunch of hiker chicks.” LAEGO in an adventuresome group of Ladies Actively Exploring the Great Outdoors.
Gallery
Every Event Can Be A Learning Experience
Whenever this group is out on an event the experience is not just the hike . . . it’s what you learn and share along the way. One has the opportunity to learn about the wonders of the night sky, like the Super, Blue, Blood, Moon and how to find the North star. It is possible to learn about birds like the Woodcock or how to read a compass. You can learn about a mushroom called Chicken of the Woods and the mysteries behind birds and plants like the humming bird and cardinal flower, how one can’t live without the other. The list goes on. Scroll down to see what members have to say.
What Members Have To Say
For Pat "LAEGO is an opportunity to be outdoors and get a break from providing home care."
For Darlene, after an early bike ride in late summer she commented," The best part of the ride was the and when we stopped for ice cream and shared ideas for more rides I never knew there were so many places in Wisconsin to hike.
For Darlene, after an early bike ride in late summer she commented," The best part of the ride was the and when we stopped for ice cream and shared ideas for more rides I never knew there were so many places in Wisconsin to hike.
Linda, who moved to the area with her husband after retirement, " LAEGO provides me an avenue to meet other women who enjoy similar interests."
Randi, a new member who lost her husband in 2014 says, " Going on an adventure with these great women put some spunk in my step and the smile back on my face."
One member said "It's a gift to find a deverse group of ladies with an interest in physical activities"
Randi, a new member who lost her husband in 2014 says, " Going on an adventure with these great women put some spunk in my step and the smile back on my face."
One member said "It's a gift to find a deverse group of ladies with an interest in physical activities"
"Ruth adds with a smile. "Talk is never lacking on our trips."
Ruth also goes on saying, " Every time I hike, the terrain and surrounding environment becomes more beautiful and addicting."
Dianne Genz, stated in an article she wrote in Mammoth Tales,"the success of this group is a result of teamwork, advance planning, and shared leadership"
Ruth also goes on saying, " Every time I hike, the terrain and surrounding environment becomes more beautiful and addicting."
Dianne Genz, stated in an article she wrote in Mammoth Tales,"the success of this group is a result of teamwork, advance planning, and shared leadership"