We are excited to begin a new “Featured Hobnailer” series that profiles past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. Our first Hobnailers are Paul and Linne McGowan, who are embarking on our Croatian Culinary Adventure on September 27. Paul and Linne are pictured here in Olden, Norway.
Q: Where do you live?
A: We’ve been in Atlanta, GA, for about 15 years.
A: (Paul) I’m a tennis coach at the Buckhead YMCA in Atlanta, GA. This is my third career: I was an engineer at NASA for about 12 years (working on the International Space Station, among other things) and then I went to law school, became a patent attorney and practiced law for about 25 years (mostly intellectual property, with an emphasis on litigation). After I exited the “rat race” and became “semi-retired,” I got certified to teach tennis and now run a successful junior tennis program with about 80 kids aged 3-14. Tennis is my passion, so I’m much happier now!
A: (Linne) I am the assistant to the managing partner of an international law firm with over 1,300 lawyers in 28 offices worldwide. Though employed by law firms most of my life, my former occupations include bartender, firefighter, and hairdresser. My true passion is trip planning, whether for myself or others, and I have enjoyed creating interesting itineraries for many of our international trips.
Q: How long have y’all been married? Kids?
A: We’ve been married about 12 years, with a blended family of 3 kids (ages 21-44) and 3 grandkids (ages 10-15).
Q: How and when did you get into adventure travel? Where was your first out-of-country adventure?
A: (Paul) My first “adventure travel” was the trek to Mount Everest Base Camp in 2022, which was a life-changing experience for me at the ripe old age of 61. While I had done much international travel – visiting close to 50 countries, including some exotic locations such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Patagonia, Tangier, Morocco and even Beirut, Lebanon – I wouldn’t consider any of my travels particularly “adventurous.” Honestly, I spent about 20+ years thinking/dreaming about (threatening to do?) a trek to the Everest Base Camp. There was just something about it that was fascinating. It was possibly the most challenging/rewarding thing I’ve ever done, but it then led to other “adventure” treks such as Mount Kilimanjaro (2023, age 62) and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (2024, age 63, with my 2 sons). I also tried to reach K2 Base Camp in Pakistan (2023, age 62), but got sick and experienced the joys of being excavated on horseback from a third-world country (a separate story!).
A: (Linne) I don’t have the same “adventure travel” background as Paul, but I have always enjoyed traveling internationally. Personally, I would consider our trips to Italy (Lake Como and the Cinque Terre), Norway and of course Australia and New Zealand as my favorites. I also have a sincere love for cruising, and have completed 49 cruises to date, visiting many interesting ports throughout the world.
Q: How did you discover Hobnail Trekking?
A: (Paul) While I was researching sources for my upcoming trek to Everest Base Camp, I came upon Mark Johnson’s book, “Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp.” What a perfect title! As a bit of a doofus myself, I devoured the book in just a few days (I also listened to the audio version a few more times while I was “training” with my weighted pack.) I was particularly intrigued by how Mark and Holly started Hobnail, especially the details of the now-epic rideshare with Dawa Sherpa in Nashville. Discovering the Hobnail Trekking website was a real joy, and I always look forward to their weekly trekking tidbits and interesting travel videos.
Side note: I mentioned this to Mark on the phone recently, but I have another interesting/odd connection with Hobnail Trekking. During my Everest Base Camp trek (with another company), I received a notice from Mark that I had won a $100 REI gift card through one of the promotional emails that I had responded to the month prior. All I had to do, according to Mark, was send him a picture of my smiling face holding the REI gift card. Not so easy to do when you’re in one of the dinky towns in the Khumbu Valley, but I somehow managed to get it done. That gift card was well spent at my local REI soon after my return from Nepal.
A: (Linne) I learned about Hobnail Trekking through Paul. Paul was particularly happy when I purchased Marks’s latest book, Mr. Ledbetter’s Boots, as a present for him. He loves it!
Q: Have you ever been to Croatia? Why did you choose the Croatian Culinary Adventure?
A: While we have traveled in many European countries, neither of us has been to Croatia. It’s long been on our list of places to visit because the architecture and landscape resembles one of our favorite places in the world (Prague, Czech Republic).
Q: What are you most excited about regarding this trip?
A: (Paul) I consider this to be a great chance at a “two-fer” — not only do I get to visit one of the top places on my list of desirable destinations, but my wife and I will be experiencing the joys/pains of multi-day trekking in a foreign country. This is something we have not done together yet. The “culinary” aspect of this trip is a special bonus that we will both appreciate!
A: (Linne) I am excited to finally complete a week-long trek with Paul, and not sleep on the ground while doing so. Running water, pillows and indoor accommodations are pretty much a must for me!
Q: What other destinations are on your bucket list for adventure travel?
A: (Paul) climbing Mount Fuji, walking on the Great Wall of China, hiking on the Camino de Santiago, trekking in Patagonia (I’ve been to Patagonia, but not for trekking), experiencing a trek in Ecuador, exploring in the Arctic (Greenland) and/or just visiting in Antarctica, just to name a few.
A: (Linne) I definitely want to go back to New Zealand. An African safari of some sort is in my future, and I’m also interested in going to Bali or maybe Thailand.
The Croatian Culinary Adventure is a guided, 8-day hiking, rafting, sightseeing, and foodie extravaganza throughout this Mediterranean gem. We have six slots available on Paul and Linne’s September 27 departure! Go HERE and reserve your spot!
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