Class Note 1988

Almost a year has passed since our 30th reunion, and, of the many amazing moments for me, a highlight was an impromptu Velvet Rocks hike with an interesting and funny group: Randi Barshak, Emily Britton, Kathy (Corbett) Brooks, Jennifer Taylor,and Caroline (McKeldin) Wayner. I left the hike enriched and inspired by our conversation…and reminded of the joy of a walk in the woods with friends. Since the reunion it has been great hearing from many of you about the outdoor activities you most enjoy now and how they compare to those you enjoyed while at Dartmouth. For Cuong Do, it was and is skiing. He writes: “Dartmouth changed my life in so many ways, including my introduction to skiing. I learned to ski on the Dartmouth Skiway. I’ve kept up with it since then, and my family now skis every weekend. It serves to bring my family together.” Andrian Dacy,too, is still enthusiastically enjoying the same outdoor activities as he did at Dartmouth (and even before arriving on campus): “hiking (followed by skiing).”

Emily Britton, however, tells me her current, favorite outdoor activity is not the same as it was during college, as she now loves taking her 11-year-old yellow Lab Lucy on long walks, especially when they find running water so Lucy can swim and Emily can take in the blissful sound of the water. Sue Breen reports that, in addition to biking as one of her favorite things to do outdoors, she is still enjoying spending time on trails in the woods, as she did at Dartmouth, but back then she was running and now is mostly walking. Echoing my own feelings and those I’m sure many of you share, Sue says she is grateful to have had the experience of learning in a place as beautiful as Dartmouth.

Bill Davis has found some beautiful new places to enjoy unique outdoor adventures. Since he and family moved to India in 2017, they have been “exploring the mountain kingdom of Ladakh in the Himalayas, visiting the magnificent desert fortresses of Rajasthan,” and scuba diving in Thailand. Bill also has shared some amazing trips with Dave Wrigley, from rafting through icebergs to fishing with grizzlies, and they have taken multiple wilderness backpacking trips, recently bringing their teenaged sons on a rugged trip in Alaska.

Before I leave you to consider your own outdoor inspirations and aspirations, I must share the sad news of the passing in November 2018 of our classmate Kanani Kauka, whom many of us will always remember as a passionate advocate who was such a visible leader on our campus. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.

—Victoria Woodin Chavey, 128 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT 06119; torychavey@gmail.com