Walking Connection Member Profiles
by Patricia Freeman and Patricia Vroom

It's In Her Blood
Kathy Moyer Dragon -- Member & Tour Director for the W/C Italy Tour

When asked what she does for exercise Kathy Dragon does not have to think twice. "I run, walk, hike, ski, snowshoe, bike, swim, and windsurf. In fact, I do anything that is outdoors. Fresh air and healthy living is in my blood; I can't stop!" she exults. With that kind of enthusiasm for the outdoors it should not surprise anyone to learn that Kathy has organized and guided walking trips to many far-off and exotic destinations such as Nepal, Bhutan, India, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey, Slovakia, as well as more familiar places such as England, Ireland, Canada and much of the United States.

"Do what you love, be positive and enjoy the path." This is Kathy's philosophy towards life. Following her own advice, she tells us, "I have created my life around exercise and good nutrition and for the past 16 years I have worked in the adventure and education travel industry - first as a guide, then as Operations Manager for both walking and biking companies." It seems that when Kathy discovered the Walking Connection, through an industry friend, it was a perfect match. Kathy explains, "Gene and Jo Ann asked me to design a trip to Italy for them." Those of you who had the good fortune, or good taste, to go on that adventure know that she met the Taylors' challenge, and all agree that the May, 2001 Tuscany and Cinque Terre tour was a fabulous experience. Of course, another plus was that the Italy explorers all were able to get to know the dynamic and fun-loving Kathy personally. Likewise, Kathy says of the Walking Connection members who joined her on the trip, "They are great people to travel with, a very diverse audience -- fun, low maintenance and flexible." This is praise indeed from someone who travels for a living.

Given all of her traveling, does Kathy have a favorite spot in the world? This time she hesitates. "There are so many, but I love different places for different reasons -- Bhutan for the people and the mountains, Peru for the people and history, Italy for the lifestyle and food, and the Basque Country for everything! "I love culture, mountains, and villages." Although Kathy eats a basically vegetarian diet she tells us, "I am committed to regional cuisine which is often very healthy. When I travel I eat what the locals eat and what is grown and prepared locally." Kathy has some very definite likes and dislikes when it comes to traveling. "I dislike tours that are not authentic and when people don't appreciate an area that is different from their own," she say emphatically.

Growing up in Oneonta in Upstate New York, not far from where Gene and Jo Ann Taylor hail, Kathy has also called some particularly scenic places home over the years. She went to college at the University of Denver, then lived in the mountain village of Winter Park, Colorado. She next tried the ultimate urban experience in New York City, and later lived in quiet Williamsburg, Virginia. Then it was on to the ski resort of Stowe, Vermont, and she now resides with husband Keith Dragon in Boulder, Colorado. Along the way, she even had a brief sojourn in Maui, Hawaii!

Kathy's values are straightforward and simple. She says that to her, a happy and fulfilling life involves "friends and family, living in a beautiful place that is close to nature, enjoying and appreciating the outdoors daily, working hard, and staying positive." Reflecting on her life so far, she doesn't appear to have strayed far from her principles. By the way, in a friend, Kathy says, she looks for "energy, passion, and integrity." If you have those qualities, and also appreciate the wonderful things the world has to offer, perhaps you, too, will be lucky enough to meet Kathy Dragon in the next "beautiful place" she explores with the Walking Connection!

RELEASE: Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors . Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individuals to consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about your specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events.