As one of the owners since 2000, Jolie has been a foundational pillar of the company. Her journey began as a guide, leading both day trips and immersive three-night camping adventures to Yosemite each week for the previous owner. While her initial years were spent directly engaging with the stunning landscapes and travelers, her responsibilities have evolved to encompass operations, management, and finance. Jolie’s creative flair particularly shines through in crafting unique private charter experiences for guests. Currently, she provides essential support and strategic oversight across all facets of the business.
Jolie’s inspiration to work in the travel and tourism industry stems from a deep love for travel, genuine interaction with people, and a profound appreciation for the natural world. Guiding travelers to breathtaking destinations offered a perfect confluence of these passions. While family life brought a shift from full-time guiding, her commitment to facilitating memorable holidays and promoting sustainable travel options remains strong.
A favorite aspect of being part of the team for Jolie extends beyond the enjoyable social gatherings like volunteer activities, beginning-of-season BBQs, and end-of-year celebrations. What truly resonates is witnessing each team member discover their strengths and achieve their potential, whether it’s successfully completing training, receiving glowing guest feedback, excelling in meetings or trade shows, or implementing innovative systems.
Reflecting on memorable guest experiences, Jolie recalls a Yosemite camping trip where a guest was overcome with awe at witnessing a natural forest for the first time. This experience serves as a powerful reminder of the privilege of sharing the preserved beauty of the US National Parks with others.
When asked what she wishes every guest knew before embarking on a tour, Jolie emphasizes that while the company is there to facilitate the overall experience, embracing the free time to explore independently often leads to the most cherished personal moments.
Jolie’s preferred travel experiences often involve the simple act of setting out on foot, sometimes with a specific destination in mind, but always open to the unexpected discoveries along the way. This philosophy of embracing the journey mirrors her approach to life and work.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Jolie enjoys an active lifestyle that includes biking, walking, hiking, swimming, and camping, balanced with the quiet pleasure of reading.
A unique and perhaps surprising fact about Jolie is her experience of living in a tent for nearly a year across various locations and circumstances, from working near Denali National Park and studying in New Zealand to living in a Santa Barbara backyard and traveling around the US.
When it comes to the company’s offerings, Jolie holds a special fondness for the Yosemite Escape. Having personally guided this trip, she believes it strikes the perfect balance between organized group activities, ample individual exploration time, opportunities for hiking and swimming, and the communal enjoyment of campfires and cookouts.
Adding a touch of personal flair, Jolie shares that she hosted a produce and fish CSA in her garage and impressively transported her two children on a non-electric cargo bike until they were eleven and nine years old (a feat made possible by their children’s smaller stature and some strategic walking on uphill stretches).