What is Off Roads Scholars?
We're a small business that creates combo adventure trips with hiking and stories, but first, here's a story.
There's a great vintage Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercial from the 70s with a dude holding a chocolate bar collides into a woman with an open jar of peanut butter?
Never mind the obvious question, "who walks around the world with an open jar of peanut butter?"
The woman accuses the dude, "Hey! You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!" And the dude quips back in defense, "You got your peanut butter on my chocolate!"
Then they each try their respective snack, not contaminated by the other snack, and they are blissed out.
The announcer says, in his deep, husky voice: "Two great tastes that taste great together."
What can I say? I am a sucker for a good mash-up.
Ok. I, too, like Reese's, but I still don't know what Off Roads Scholars does.
Since you're a human being, I can safely assume you like stories. We all do. We can't escape it. Off Road Scholars is all about stories - reading and discussing and learning about some good ones, and then having enough adventures so that we have stories to take back home.
Let me introduce myself.
Hello. I'm Maureen, and this is my Reese's Peanutbutter Cup story. I teach world literature at the University of Alaska, and I am also an avid hiker. In 2022, I embarked on a 1200-mile thru-hike across southern France and northern Spain, and every single day I kept thinking about how I'd like to travel more and do more long hikes, but I don't really want to stop teaching. Teaching is life!
"How can teaching and travel go together?" I mused every day of that 77-day adventure on the Via Podiensis and the Camino Frances. When I returned home, the idea grew stronger, and Off Road Scholars was born.
The process of picking a book and a place is more organic than simply matching a cheese with a wine. The book and the place must be inextricably linked, with the one enhancing the other, like a fusion of literary and travel magic. So when I choose a book to teach, I look for a place that can help bring its themes and messages to life, while deepening my understanding and appreciation of its culture, history, and people. Off Road Scholars trips are dynamic and immersive, and we create an experience that's greater than the sum of its parts.
Two great tastes that taste great together. Here are some of my other dream trips that I will offer some day.
Wait. Is this a class?
A school? A book club on steroids?
Let me tell you what Off Road Scholars is not.
This is not a book club.
Each group travels with two experienced professors leading literary seminars that go far beyond your neighborhood book club. That said, if your book group is known for deep conversation and memorable meals, you’ll feel right at home. We’ll be meeting in restaurants, not classrooms—with real food, real talk, and serious engagement.
This is not a guided tour.
We’re not tour guides—we’re teachers who love to travel. You won’t find me waving a brightly colored umbrella in a crowded piazza or speaking into a shoulder-mic by a fountain. That’s not my style, and more importantly, that’s not my role.
When it comes to cultural excursions, we’ll hire knowledgeable local guides—because supporting local experts matters. What I bring to the experience doesn’t replace them; it complements them. Pinkie swear.
This is not a free-for-all DIY backpacking trip
If you’ve browsed European walking holidays, you’ve probably seen the terms “guided” and “self-guided.” What I offer is a blend: structured where it counts, flexible where it matters.
You see, I’m your instructor and your behind-the-scenes logistics wizard. Those are my roles.
Hotel and dinner reservations? Handled.
Luggage transfers between hotels? Done.
Train passes for non-hikers, excursion tickets, and detailed hiking maps? All prepped and ready.
That’s a big part of what I bring to the experience—freedom without the friction.
Each day comes with a suggested itinerary tailored to your hiking levels and interests. You can follow it, tweak it, or take a detour. . Want to skip the day's hike and spend the afternoon sketching on a hillside? Do it. Planning a beach picnic with your partner instead of the sunset boat cruise? Honestly, I recommend it.
Think of it as the best of both worlds: I take care of the essential logistics—lodging, dinner reservations, luggage transfers, train passes for non-hikers, and thoughtfully mapped-out trails. I also lead nightly literary seminars that are intellectually rich and genuinely engaging.
You’ll have options, support, and a clear plan—all without losing the magic of discovery.
This isn't a study-abroad program, and there's no college credit - by design.
I considered partnering with universities to offer short courses during spring or fall breaks but ultimately chose a different path. This experience is built for curious, adventurous adults who want depth without the paperwork.
Think of it as a no-stress literary retreat—one where every detail is handled. You don’t need to plan, coordinate, or worry. Just pack your boots, bring your brain, and show up.
Want to unleash the magic of Cinque Terre with me?
This is the site of a future trip, and you might be asking, "What's Cinque Terre?" Simply, Cinque Terre (literally, "Five Lands") lies nestled in the northwestern region of Italy along the coast of the Ligurian Sea, a picturesque and colorful collection of five small coastal villages. Each village is unique and distinct, yet all are connected by scenic hiking trails that provide stunning views of the rugged coastline and crystal clear waters below.
This class will be called "Tales from the Trail: Boccaccio's Decameron and the Enduring Power of Storytelling in Human Experience."
And you will have some good stories of your own to tell after this adventure.