About us
Bringing back fun . . . and you are included!!
Join us!
This group is about getting out with other people and being social while doing it.
This group is about real life. So online messaging of people you have not met in real life is not allowed.
For the rest of any rules of conduct . . . they pretty much run along the lines of your average cabin group for a sleep-away Summer Camp.
Think of this group as . . . Summer Camp For Adults.
With that . . .
. . . Here are the basics of group rules.
- Do NOT contact members who you have not met in real life. (see above)
- Avoid Put Downs.
- Speak For Yourself.
- Listen To Others.
- You Have The Option To Pass.
- Expect Unfinished Business.
Attendance rules: Try to always update your RSVP.
Photo and Name: You are allowed to join with whatever name and whatever photo. HOWEVER the main organizers may request you change either name or photo a their discretion.
Names that are products, promotional, advertisements are red flags that will be requested to change or be removed.
If you are using a photo that is not your face, a current face photo may be requested.
Here is the rule of thumb.
Fake name and fake photo will be requested to change to a real photo and a real name or face removal.
Real photo and fake name is usually fine. Fake photo and real name is usually fine.
IF you need to maintain privacy of both then contact the main organizers and just ask. That's all it takes usually.
Can't stress this enough . . . As a guideline do not message people you have not met in person. This is not an online dating place.
Ladies: If a guy messages you please contact me. There have been problems with that happening over meetup in general.
It's just not cool.
Meetup is about real life and not virtual.
Guys, . . . get off your computer and come to an event. Say hello in person. Smile, . . . be personable and decent.
And just be there to get to know people and make friends of whatever gender.
You can always use new good friends.
And this is one way to make/meet them.
Wingman tactics and and Pickup artist tactics are similarly not allowed in this group.
Organizers of another group that are not an organizer or host here are also not allowed to solicit members.
The rest of the rule are just good ways to live and be.
All organizers on the group do have different set of rules.
The (organizer) rules simplified.
- No Emailing (do not use the bulk email feature in any way)
- Do NOT use the "discussions box" on the main page of the group (it's spammy).
- No outside links
- Great Copy
- Great Pix
- 4 weeks notice is best.
- List any money costs in the first 2 or 3 lines.
Not too many rules.
Not too complicated.
They all have to do with respect for the membership.
Featured event

Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits ~ A bucket list adventure!!
Our Meetup is off to another hiking adventure! Mt Kilimanjaro, as the tallest mountain in Africa, is included in the 7 Summits of the world.
It is a bucket-list item for all hard-core hikers and mountain lovers.
We did this trek with Meetup in the summer of 2024 and it was a true experience of a lifetime (see photos below)
Let's get to some numbers. It is 5,895m/19,340ft
BUT . . . our starting elevation for the trek is 3795m/12541ft
As such elevation gain is 2100m/6799ft
To compare Everest Base Camp trek, is about 2754m/9035ft elevation change. And Mt Whitney is about 1828m/6000ft elevation change.
The key to being able to succeed in this endeavor lays in the route and the support system.
We are taking the Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit. The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It's one of the best routes because it has the best acclimatization profile. This results in one of the highest summit success rates. Add to that stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It is also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes.
As far as our support system: We will be accompanied by experienced guides, porters and cooks. They are certified, ensuring our safety and comfort. Porters will carry our gear.
We will have a high ratio of guides to hikers. Our guides will go our pace and support each and everyone of us, regardless of fitness level and pace. In other words...you go your own speed and we all get there safe.
More about our trek/trip.
As with all our international trips, we picked the best season/time of year to go for weather and wildlife. Lemosho and Northern Circuit is a scenically spectacular and varied route. At the lower elevations it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season.
Each of our trips is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.
But I don't have the needed gear?!
You don't need much more than the standard trekker's equipment. We will provide you with a list of what is already included and what can be rented there.
Does this include food?
All meals on the trek potion are included and a cook travels with us!
What is lodging like?
We are sleeping in new and comfortable tents (carried during the day by porters)
I am new at this.
That's OK. We do plenty of prep Zooms before we depart. And in California we have a number of local outdoor day or weekend outings you can test out with us.
How dangerous is this? What if I get sick or hurt?
We will be walking on an established, well used trail the entire time. Our trip INCLUDES emergency insurance. We are also Certified Wilderness First Responders and our guides are members of (AMREF) Flying Doctor.
Plain and simple, safety is our primary goal.
How much does this cost?
Kilimanjaro Mountain Trek $3950 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600
Trip Cost includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 3 meals everyday on the trek
- All Fees & Entrances and Taxes
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs.
- Lead Guide, Assistant Guides, Porters and Cook
RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.
The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $300 deposit:
CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).
IF you need an airfare quote, Click here to message Anna
For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST
To see pictures from our Kilimanjaro adventure in 2024 CLICK HERE
We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom
The MAIN location where this event is posted:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/
(RSVP there for any conversation and comments)
This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.
Click Here for our other events:
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
SOT 200318-10
Upcoming events
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Chuckanut Dr. Day of Adventure w Joe. 6+ mi hiking + pizza/beer
Green Lake Park-and-Ride, 6601 8th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, WA, USGORGEOUS on Sunday. I've planned an awesome Chuckanut Dr Day of activity, adventure and fun!
Carpools will meet at Green Lake P&R (north side of 65th NE).
We will drive 1 hour and 10 min to get to trailhead to FRAGRANCE LAKE
(4 miles roundtrip, 1,260 elev ).Next, a short 2 mile roundtrip hike to CLAYTON BEACH.
Next, stop in absolutely gorgeous EDISON, WA. I found a perfect brewery with great beverages, pizzas, salads, and lots of outdoor seating.
Later in afternoon, as we start to head back to Seattle, we may also choose to stop at PADILLA BAY SHORE TRAIL for an easy 2 mil roundtrip walk along the dike.
ORGANIZER: Joe Staiano
Ph: 206-305-2200NO DOGS
NO SMOKING/NO VAPING** \ We will need DRIVERS & CARS for this event * *
Passengers contribute $15 each to drivers.
Bring a Discovery Pass if you have one.*** \ ** \ ** \ ** \ ** \ ** \ * \ * *
** \ DREAMING OF TRAVEL ...
AMAZING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY IN SEPT 2026... \ **PORTUGAL HIGHLIGHTS
10 days, Sep 18-27, 2026
** \ Almost full! Only one spot remaining for one male person * *
3rd season running this popular tour for Meetup’ers. Easy exploring the best of Portugal’s highlights: Lisbon, Sintra, Obidos, Porto, medieval Evora, and the Algarve beaches of Lagos.
Small group of only 8 max.
Email: joe@meaningfultrip.com
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Join Joe's 'Travel Email List' for fresh updates on 2026 travels!
For detailed info, inquire at: joe@meaningfultrip.com
**And please visit https://www.meaningfultrip.com4 attendees
Featured International Meetup Trips for 2026 & 2027
·OnlineOnlineThis Zoom Overseas Q & A is a monthly event.
Video Link: https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgb No software or download needed. Just open in a browser.
The date gets moved right before the event occurs. This way all the links posted to events keep working.
We have some truly EPIC Overseas events ahead. And Epic Adventure leads to Copious Questions.
To solve that . . . Let's Talk! Join us for a Q & A Zoom where you can ask all your Q's and get all your A's.
SCHEDULE
6:00 to 7:30pm Pacific Time is Q & A about our Overseas Events.What to talk about? Most of the convo will be on the following:
Jun 5, 2026 Costa Rica Eco Adventure
Jun 18, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jun 27, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari! Africa’s Best Wildlife Show
Jul 05, 2026 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Aug 03, 2026 Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Cruise from San Francisco
Sep 09, 2026 France Culinary Explorer! Food
Sep 20, 2026 Meetup on the Orient Express
Dec 04, 2026 Vietnam & Cambodia (with Angkor Wat)
Feb 10, 2027 Thailand: Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi Island
Mar 16, 2027 Galapagos Islands Expedition
Apr 25, 2027 Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek
Apr 28, 2027 Best of Portugal with Camino de Santiago
May 13, 2027 Unforgettable Croatia! The Pearls of the Dalmatian Coast
Nov 26, 2027 Ensenada Thanksgiving Weekend CruiseWe are currently working on Italy, China, Patagonia, and Antarctica. Keep an eye on our calendar.
If you are interested in more information for any of these trips, please reply to this email or fill out this form: https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8
I will send you a detailed day-by-day itinerary for those events.Our events are all very safe, fun, curated, and organized.
Questions about Hotels, Flights, Meals, Museums, Power Plugs, Converters, Money Conversion or whatever!!
All the folks currently signed on to our events are invited to come and ask all the Q's and get all the deets they want to. They will also get them in writing too, but we know a lot of folks rather a face and voice compared to an email. It's that whole human interaction thing!
*To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM and we will email direct on the day of to remind you.
53 attendees
Yosemite! MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!! w/ Valley Floor Activities!! 4 days/3 nights!!
Location not specified yetYosmite is damn far away. But it's awesome.
This is parked over a holiday weekend.
Yosemite is that amazing and iconic place that everyone loves to go.
There are Saturday/Sunday planned Easy, Medium and Hard Options.
We will divide by interest for different hikes.
The "Easy" route:
- Yosemite Falls (the easy walk)
- Tunnel View
- Glacier Point
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Mirror Lake
- The Meadows
- The River
- Ahwahnee Hotel
Planned Medium Hike:
- Vernal/Nevada Mist Trail
Planned Difficult Hikes
- Yosemite Falls
- 4 Mile Trail
- Pohono Trail
To attend this event:
- RSVP on this event
- CLICK HERE for the payment link.
- Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form (this is also what the carpool info gets built from)
Notes:
- You MUST take care of payment to be confirmed to go.
- After payment you will get a confirmation email from Paypal
- You do NOT need a paypal account. Click the process as guest, or use any credit or debit card.
- If you have a X2 or a Plus One . . . just do the link a 2nd or 3rd time.
- You may see LOTS of people RSVP on the event. Many do RSVP and not take care of payment.
- Event is limited in size. When filled the payment link will be disabled.
- If you not ready to commit yet . . .
- Click Here and fill out our google "interest" form (there is a box for "interested and keep me in the loop")
Includes:
- Site (on private land) for a three day weekend
- All Firewood & propane heaters provided.
- Flush restrooms (that are clean)
- (free)(hot) Showers available
- Restaurants and Grocery adjacent
- Pool and Jacuzzi available.
- Super Civilized Camping.
- Perfect for the beginner and first timers.
- Many come solo.
- Come alone and leave with friends. Come with friends & leave with more friends.
Tell me about food and everything else . . .
The logistics of providing food for every possible diet, as well as food prep issues is just not feasible or safe.
AND
Due to varied dietary needs and food contact issues, it's better if bring what you like and prep it.
What gear do I need?
The only specialized gear you need is Tent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping Pad (yoga mat). Everything else is household items you already have.
Special note: this is Tent camping. No RV. No Trailers. No giant campervans.
Can I park my car next to my tent?
Sniffing tires, oil, exhaust and fuel? Yuck!!! You cars will be close. But not on top of us. Cars on one side. Humans on the other. If we overflow our parking area . . . there is an overflow parking area.
Carpools?
- Carpool info goes out ONLY to paid attendees. (it really sucks to set up a carpool with a person who is not actually going)
- Carpool info ONLY goes out to those who fill out the ATTENDEES/CARPOOL FORM (this way it is reliable info)
- Carpool info goes out all at once (not as you sign on)
- Carpool info goes out 1 week before the event. Too early and most carpools fall apart. It really sucks when your ride canceled at asked for a refund a month ago but did not tell you. Carpools info sent when it is stable of who is attending.
- Carpool in week before makes sense because that's when people can really determine schedule and departure time and availability.
Refunds?
If requested 2 weeks before event start: 100% refund.
If requested less than 2 weeks: 100% Full Credit be applied to ANY future event we run.
Questions? CLICK HERE to send a Direct Message
OTHER INFO:
- Carpool info
- Newbie Camping Advice All things GEAR
- Newbie Camping Advice All things FOOD
- General Policies
This event is cross-posted to several groups. The number RSVP'd is not accurate. ONLY Paid attendees are actually going to be attending.
CLICK HERE to join in on the other fun events planned.
Notice: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, gender preference, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, national identity, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, political beliefs or even for belly button lint.
We welcome all, and that includes you!
If you need to be there Thurs evening . . . Let me know. Can make that happen
6 attendees
Meetup Travels: PORTUGAL/SPAIN CAMINO de SANTIAGO Hiking Tour, 9 days, May 2026
Porto International Airport, Airport Rd, Porto, PT****Hey Seattle hikers, Get your ‘pilgrim’ on and join us hiking the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. (And, see below other amazing adventure tours Baja Mexico (Feb), Iceland (Mar), Norway (Jul), Portugal Highlights (Sep).
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NEW! PORTUGAL / SPAIN CAMINO de SANTIAGO HIKING
9 days, May 23 – 31, 2026
Explore sites and wineries of charming Porto; then hike the final 100km (62+ mi) of the famed Camino de Santiago on daily hikes of 12 – 14 miles. Enjoy coastal views, picturesque landscapes, quaint villages, and beauty of Galicia. Luggage transfer each day.. comfortable hotels and mouthwatering food & wine. Toast your pilgrimage accomplishment with your new friends!
RSVP and Email Joe: joe@meaningfultrip.comThis trip is cross posted on several Meetups. Max group size is 10.
RESERVE NOW! RSVP is only confirmed w $500 deposit. Deposit is fully refundable if you change your mind between now and Nov 30, 2025.
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**Introducing Meetup Travels **– Specially curated adventures to some of the world’s most exciting destinations, offering the activities you adore, value-pricing, comfortable lodgings, culinary delights, authentic touches, giving back, and Meetup fun & camaraderie. Most travelers are age 40+ and 90% are solo travelers.
No worries as we pair persons as roommates.
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** OVERVIEW**
9-Days, May 23 - 31, 2026
Meetup Discounted Price: $2,995 (airfare extra).
(Price pp sharing double).
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ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrive Porto
Day 2: Porto city tour + winery
Day 3: Transfer Vigo, Spain
Day 4: Redondela
Day 5: Pontevedra
Day 6: Caldas de Reis
Day 7: Padrón
Day 8: Santiago de Compostela
Day 9: transfer to Porto
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Included:
• 8 nights nice hotels
• Breakfasts + 3 dinners
• Porto City Tour & winery visit
• Transfer from Porto to Vigo and from Santiago de Compostela to Porto
• Luggage transfers daily
• Carbon offset & tree planting
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Not Included:
• Airfare
• Airport Transfer
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches, several dinners
. Drinks
• Gratuities
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GENERAL INFO:
• COVID vaccinated is recommended, not required.
• US Passport is required. (Plus, online ETIAS)
• Fly into and out of Porto.
• All tours are inclusive to all races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.
• Weather: May is pleasant with daytime temps in high 60’s to low 70’s.
• Activity Level: Moderate +: Urban walking in Porto and long hikes of 12 – 14 miles per day on the Camino (65 miles hiking total in 5 days)
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• Tour/Travel Organizer
This Meetup Adventure Tour has been planned by Joe Staiano. In addition to being a Meetup Organizer and Co-organizer for 17+ years, Joe is a tourism professional w/ 28 years experience. He spent 10 years organizing and planning adventure trips for REI Adventures. Joe is owner of Meaningful Trips travel company and has a Seller of Travel Permit for WA State.
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HOW TO RSVP / JOIN THIS TOUR:
Important: Meetup RSVP does NOT guarantee a spot. Must send a deposit.
(1) RSVP guyon Meetup.
(2) Email Organizer, Joe Staiano
(3) $500 Deposit via check.
Deposit is fully refundable if you change mind before Nov 2025.
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We adhere to the Meetup Terms of Service and Release of Liability and Meaningful Trips Terms & Conditions
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* * MORE FANTASTIC ADVENTURE TOURS * *
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BAJA ADVENTURE WEEK.. our most popular trip!
7 days, Feb 24 - Mar 02, 2026
Meetup Member Discounted Price: $1,895 (airfare extra)
This will be our 7th season bringing Meetup folks to magical Baja Mexico! Small group of 10 sells out FAST every year. It’s easy to see why. This trip has it all! Warm winter weather, kayaking and SUP along sublime coastline, snorkeling with playful sea lions and massive Whale-Sharks, desert hiking, up-close encounters with gray whales, a mix of 4-nights comfortable hotels and 2-nights deluxe camping, mouth-watering Mexican food and Mexican culture!
RSVP Today! Email: joe@meaningfultrip.com
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New! NORWAY ULTIMATE ADVENTURE (Waitlist-only)
11 Days, July 23 - Aug 02, 2026
Join this perfect blend of nature, culture, activities such as hiking, kayaking, and glacier trekking as we wind our way through art-filled cities, dramatic fjords.
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PORTUGAL HIGHLIGHTS
10 days, Sep 18 - 27, 2026
Our 3rd time running this amazing tour covering Portugal's best highlights: Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, Evora, and beaches of Lagos. Portugal has it all.. UNESCO sites, fairytale castles, wineries, warm beaches, mouthwatering food, and, of course, wine!Join Joe's 'Travel Email List' for fresh updates on 2026 travels!
**For detailed info, inquire at: joe@meaningfultrip.com****1 attendee
Past events
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