X Chromosomes Only, Please

Maybe you and your six best friends from college want to plan a girls-only reunion. Or maybe you're a little self-conscious in a bathing suit (aren't we all?). Maybe you're vacationing solo for the first time and a bit intimidated by the thought of getting stuck on a tour with a bunch of rowdy guys. Or maybe you've just split from your significant other and you need to get away--to somewhere men aren't.

Whatever the reason, the solution is simple: ixnay on the enmay (that's pig-Latin for leave the men behind).

Brilliant!

While at first this seems like the best idea since sliced bread, on second thought you wonder whether there are "women only" trips for cool people. And by that you mean fun-outdoorsy-willing-to-try-new-things-and-make-new-friends types of people.

There are.

Take Western River Expeditions: they've been offering women-only rafting vacations since 2004, whisking maidens of all ages and ability 100 miles down the rivers of Colorado's Cataract Canyon.

Imagine: spend your days winding through sculpted sandstone, isolated buttes and red-rock castles. Paddle over countless whitewater rapids, including the notorious "Big Drop," plunging 30 feet in a matter of minutes. Hike to ancient Indian ruins. Practice your breaststroke in a shady canyon cove.

At night, melt under the hands of a professional masseuse (female, of course), whose sole purpose is to rub away sore muscles. Or kick back around a fire and make new friends before falling asleep in comfortable tents to the tranquil sounds of the Canyon.

Gal guides lead morning yoga sessions and prepare delectable meals. They're outgoing and they earn your trust quickly, nudging you just the right amount to try new things, reach new heights--earning you bragging rights when you return home.

So whether it's a reunion, a solo adventure or a simply a get-away sans-men you're after, consider a women-only vacation and experience nature on your own terms.

Because sometimes two X chromosomes are better than one.