By Tracey Morrison,
Contributing Writer
FAYETTEVILLE, NC ⸻ Life can be a trip sometimes, but why not make it exciting while we’re here? That’s the motto that Keith Sykes lives by. Sykes, described as a carefree person, has an appetite for adventure. His social media page includes captivating images of him capturing stunning photos of new places, intriguing viewers to comment, “Where’s that at?” Surprisingly, some of those pictures are in the heart of North Carolina, which the average person would never have imagined. His photographs are so captivating that they move viewers to join his Facebook group page, ‘Life’s a Trip Adventure Club.’ With Life’s a Trip, Sykes takes his fan base on an adventurous journey to discover scenic places in cities within and outside North Carolina.
Who is Keith Sykes? Sykes is a retired veteran from New Orleans, Louisiana. He has made Fayetteville his home since retiring from the military in 2010. His full-time job includes serving as a mediator between the Army and the Department of Veteran Affairs, assisting medically transitioning soldiers with their compensation. He also hosted events for more than 20 years, ranging from running the Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers for Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) to hosting citywide events for the unhoused community and recreationally related events in his post-Army retirement career, which led to Life’s a Trip Adventure Club.
His travel bug started when he visited his older sister in New York City as a child. When he joined the military, he was able to explore the world outside of New Orleans.
“When I joined the military, I moved five times within my first four years. I saw so many places I never seen before,” Sykes said to Greater Diversity News (GDN).
“Of course, being a photographer, I enjoy the visual appeal of so many [traveling environments],” he added.
The places Sykes traveled to were so fascinating that he wanted to share those experiences with his friends so they could visually see the world outside their environment. The more he planned the trip with his friends, the more pressure came upon him from his friends, who encouraged him to start his traveling group.
In November 2022, the name ‘Life’s a Trip’ emerged in his mind while lying in bed. The name has a dual meaning, symbolizing both Life’s trip in an adventurous way, and with him being from New Orleans, they often associate the word ‘trip’ with the craziness in a negative context, he explained.
Next month, ‘Life’s a Trip Adventure Club’ will celebrate its second anniversary. To mark the occasion, he’s planning a meet-and-greet at Anchor Allie’s, 1204 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303.
The group began with eight of his friends traveling, with their first traveling spot to Elk Park, NC, and has grown to over 1100 members on Facebook. Since the group’s formation, members have visited places like Asheville, NC; Savannah, GA; Washington, DC; and Greenville, SC, to name a few. He also customizes trips to introduce members to local eateries, ice cream parlors, events, and other establishments, broadening their horizons and introducing them to various local activities.
When planning trips, Sykes solicits suggestions from club members and conducts research on potential destinations, which he then incorporates into a yearly calendar. This collaborative approach ensures that the group’s trips cater to the diverse interests of its members, making each adventure unique and exciting.
Next year, the traveling club will go to Drake Crossing, Oregon, from May 29th to June 1st, a 10-day Norwegian cruise line to Greece and Italy from August 22nd to September 1st, and Asheville’s Biltmore from December 12th to December 14th, 2025. Viewers can also join the group’s Facebook page, ‘Life’s a Trip Adventure Club,’ to check out more trips for the 2025 calendar year.
Sykes is proud of the numerous testimonials detailing how his group has helped people struggling with mental health issues like depression and anxiety, people overcoming their fear of crowds, and people new to Fayetteville who are looking to meet new people. The club provides a platform for adventure and serves as a support system, connecting members with other like-minded individuals and fostering great friendships.
After hearing the countless testimonies, Sykes knows he’s in his purpose.
“I consider myself to be a positive person, so I want to spread that [positivity] to other people because I feel that we have enough going on to deal with, day to day – whether its work life, home life, the economy, politics, social media, or whatever. So, I look for opportunities to [do] something positive,” he stated.
Sykes exemplifies the dissemination of positivity, inspiring others to embark on life-changing adventures.
Readers interested in joining the group can follow and like its Facebook page at Life’s a Trip Adventure Club and on Instagram under the username ‘lifeatripac.’
