Saddle Up! Learn Why Cowboybob Loves Lumi Trips
Cowboybob enjoying the scenery in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley
Written by past Lumi guest Cowboybob
“I love Lumi trips! Why? Because they blend skiing, Worldloppet events, travel to foreign countries, camaraderie and the prospect of making new friends. Plus, the level of care from Lumi staff and trip leaders is excellent. I’ve joined five Lumi trips so far, and will likely add to that total in the next few years.”
I grew up in Rochester, New York. My German immigrant parents sent me and my four sisters ‘aus dem House’ even in winter, where we built snow forts and, later with my dad, learned how to ice skate, toboggan and Alpine ski. He was a winter enthusiast!
When I moved to Madison, Wisconsin I discovered Nordic skiing’s charms and advantages vs. Alpine. I was encouraged by more experienced skiers to ski the American Birkebeiner. What a challenge! And, what a three-day long, high-spirited festival. After completing the Birkie a few times I learned about the Worldloppet from fellow Birkiebeiner Mike Adams. He was well along toward completing ten Loppets and told me about the fun he’d had at these events. Those conversations led me to Lumi Experiences.
Cowboybob and his spouse Kathy enjoy Norway’s late-winter sunshine
Cowboybob and Chris McKim meet up for a day on the trails
Skiing With Lumi Friends Made Around the World
The camaraderie on Lumi trips is high. We share many stories about prior ski events, know-how, travel, athletic triumphs and disasters. The conversations are lively. Over the years I’ve formed new friendships with ‘Luminaries’, stayed in contact with many and visited with several. Here are just a few friends I’ve made on Lumi trips that I’ve been lucky enough to visit with after our return.
Ann, Cindy and Cowboybob prepare for France’s Transju’ Worldloppet
Chris and his spouse Wren, who I met on Lumi’s 2025 France Transju’ trip, were joined by Chris’ parents Rob and Becky. The five of us hit it off! Last October I met up with Rob and Becky at their home in Minnesota. This past February I visited with Chris and Wren in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We skied, made dinners, watched the World Cup and enjoyed their rustic sauna. Chris, Rob and I are now all registered for the Lumi’s 2027 Finlandia & Tartu trip later this winter. We will be further joined by Emilie Blevins, another alumnus of the Transju’.
I met Brad and Sarah on my 2023 Marcialonga trip with Lumi. Later that year, in December, I made a three-week long Nordic road trip, from Madison to Seattle and back, through Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Oregon, visiting family and friends and skiing along the way. I was joined in Bend, Oregon by my spouse, Kathy, where we visited with Brad and Sarah for a few days. We met up with another Bend couple that were on the Marcialonga trip – John and Mary Ann – for a reunion dinner, hiked at Smith Rock State Park, and skied Mt. Bachelor for a day.
Visiting with Anna in Canmore
Anna, Lumi’s Social Media Manager, is a competitive Canadian biathlete based in Canmore, Alberta, who I met on Lumi’s 2026 Seefeld & Engadin trip, where she was a Lumi trip photographer. When I mentioned to her that Kathy and I had planned a week of hiking for June 2026 in Banff and its environs, staying in Canmore, she immediately sent me her list of favorite hiking trails, cafes, restaurants and shops. I was happy that she joined our group – Kathy, my daughter Tenley and son-in-law Nate – for dinner at our rental apartment.
I have more plans to visit Luminaries at upcoming ski events. At the top of the list are the Anchorage Quad, who’ve encouraged me to do the Tour of Anchorage, a 50 km event in March. The Quad – Cindy, Ann, Peter and Clarke – were also on my Transju’ trip. I look forward to skiing this event with friends not long after visiting Finland and Estonia with Lumi.
Engaging With Local Cultures
The other part of Lumi trips I love is being immersed in foreign cultures. I spoke some German as a child with my parents and grandmother, so traveling in a German speaking country is engaging and fun. On my first Lumi trip to the Marcialonga, I told Garrott how when I was 15 years old I stayed with my Uncle Fritz and Aunt Steffie in their ‘gasthaus’ in Dellach, Austria, where the post-dinner entertainment was drinking and singing German folk lieder with the two-dozen guests, all accompanied by Fritz on accordion. This was, I told Garrott, a happy memory from my youth.
Dancing to Tyrolean music in the stube
Visiting a local distillery with Lumi in Lienz, Austria
Garrott wasted no time lining up a Tyrolean musical trio later that trip! In our hotel dining room we were led in some classic ‘call and response’ songs (Ein Prosit der Gemutlichkeit!) and watched our trip leader Valentina demonstrate a Tyrol ‘schuhplatter’ dance. We later visited a local distillery in Lienz and tried many of their award-winning schnapps – most made with ingredients harvested from the surrounding region. Reliving the sounds and flavors of my youth brought back great memories and made the trip that much more special.
Lumi trips also include excursions to important historic venues. On my 2024 Norway Birken trip we visited a bank vault in Lillehammer, where Norway’s store of gold reserves was transported to and hidden during the second World War.
Celebrating after a successful Birken in Norway
On the Cusp of Worldloppet Master
Alpine sledding in Austria is a popular activity for locals and Lumi guests alike
I’ve completed nine Worldloppet events. Notice I call them events, not races, because I don’t do them for time, I do them for sheer fun (and challenge). I love the zany and creative costumes worn by some of the skiers, while adding my own Cowboybob nickname and persona to the mix. From dinosaurs to Santa Claus to a group towing an 8’ tall fake cactus in a sled for the entirety of the Engadin Ski Marathon, I appreciate seeing the creativity skiers bring to these events.
The 2027 Finlandia-hiihto will be my 10th Worldloppet, earning me Worldloppet Master recognition. I’ve enjoyed skiing abroad and looking forward to continuing my skiing career even after receiving my Gold Master medal.
“Lumi trips are a great mix of Nordic skiing, foreign culture and togetherness. They’ve created many happy memories for me!”
Cowboybob Trading Card
Cowboybob Trading Card