I have come to the realization that I unintentionally spent my entire life preparing to be a tour director, even though I didn’t even know it was a career option until the year I turned 40.  I went to school for education, spent my twenties as a nanny, and spent my thirties in sales operations and management.  All of the skills I acquired in these roles come into play on every single tour I’ve ever led.  🙂  Growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan I led dozens of hub-and-spoke tours from my hometown to the various local attractions without realizing that was what it was I was doing.  Then, moving to Oregon as an adult, I spent years exploring on my own and taking visitors on trips all over the PNW to share the breathtaking sights.  Mixed in were vacations and trips all over the US, and to Ireland and Australia, which all fed my love of travel.  I could not have planned a better recipe to prepare me for this role that I have fallen in love with.  I cannot fathom doing anything else for a living.