Our Maiden Voyage!

The sun was shining, the sky was a perfect blue, and the van was full of laughter. As Urban Excursions kicked off our first adventure, I thought to myself: “My dad is going to love this.”

When I moved my father into my house two years ago, I searched over and over again for an organization that would provide him with social outings—because while he suffered from dementia, he still thrived when participating in senior day activities and engaging with other people in the community. I quickly found that there were few options for seniors who were aging in place but wanted to get out of the house and meet others with similar interests. Urban Excursions was created to fill this gap .

On Monday, after months of hard work, the first group of excited “adventurers” finally got to take off! Led by our fearless Cruise Director,  the seven seniors enjoyed a scenic drive through Yamhill County, ending up in the historic town of Carlton for a fabulous lunch at The Horse Radish.

There, one woman told me that because her assisted living facility doesn’t have a lift for their bus, she hadn’t left the residency for nearly six months! The smile on her face at the end of the day was a great reminder that social connections and stimulating activities can make a real difference in our loved ones’ lives.
I can’t wait for many more adventures like this. And I can’t wait for my father—and other seniors and their adult caregivers—to discover all that Urban Excursions can offer them. Happy trails!