Best friends Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip, known as the "Traveling Grannies," set out at 81 to visit all seven continents in 80 days. Now 84, they share stories from their journey and their new book "Here We Go."

Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Haislip, known as the "traveling grannies," have journeyed together to all seven continents, inspiring many with their adventurous spirit and close friendship. Now 84, the two friends began traveling together after being widowed in their 60s, and have since visited 50 countries, sharing their experiences and lessons learned along the way.

Their adventures have gained a significant social media following and led to the publication of their book, "Here We Go." The pair emphasize that age should not be a limitation to seeking new experiences, and encourage others to embrace adventure and joy at any stage of life. Their story highlights the enduring value of friendship and the freedom that can come with age.

The 'Traveling Grannies' on friendship and adventure at 84

Ellie, we made it. We made it to the Antarctic. It was a turbulent trip, I can assure you. But we are now on the windiest, the coldest, the highest, and the driest. And the driest continent in the world. Can you imagine? Our next guests are proof that great friendships can take you literally anywhere, and that age is just a number. Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Haislip are known as the traveling grannies. At 81, the two recently widowed best friends took on the challenge of hitting all seven continents in 80 days. Now 84, they are sharing every laugh, lesson, and of course, adventure in their new book, Here We Go. Ellie and Sandy joins us now. Good morning. Thank you, it's great to be here. Sandy, I'll start with you. So together, you have traveled 50 countries across every continent. Along the way, the social media following has picked up. You have inspired so many people. Why did you want to turn these adventures into a book? Well, it was not our idea. Really? We were approached to do that. Yes. We had just returned from our around the world trip when we were approached by a literary agent here in New York who said, I've been following you ladies, and this needs to be a book. And it was. And one of the things they said was, the world needs this voice. And we were just, we had no idea the impact. We were beginning to see the impact as we were traveling, as our journey ended, that we were being approached by people and that they were saying we were inspiring them. We were bringing joy in their lives and they were realizing that really, age is just a number. That adventure has no age limit. You can get out there and do things even when you're 84, right Sandy? Absolutely, you sure can. But I think also, what struck me most about the book is in the beginning of part two, you talk about your upbringing, where you come from. You were both middle children growing up, right? That's right. You were painfully shy, you say, growing up. Yes. Adventure was not always in your nature. So Sandy, when did that change? When I met Ellie. Actually, it changed a little. I went to medical school late in life. And so that was my way of making a change in my life. I started to college at age 34 and started to medical school at age 39. And you graduated when you were 42. Yes. Wow, wow. You know what fascinates me about the two of you guys? Number one, I wanna be you when I grow up. I wanna be like those two. But you guys became friends late in life. You were in 60-something. Yes. Because most people say, oh, been my best friend since second grade, since college, since early 20s. You became friends at 60 years old when you both became widowed. Yes, we say it's never too late to have a best friend. Never too late. Right. People think, oh, you're that old, you really want a best friend? Absolutely. But most people, you said women think that when their husband dies, that that's it. Right. We say a chapter closes in your life, but the book is not over. Yeah. Go ahead, go ahead. Because you say the gift of age is freedom. I like that. The gift of age is freedom. One of you said, I can't remember who said, you'd much rather die falling off a mountain than falling out of a bed in a nursing home. That was me. That's valid. Isn't that good? That is my type of thinking. If I have the choice, for sure. Well, you talk about the literary agent coming to you with the idea about the book and saying that people need this. I believe that people are inspired by your adventures is because there is a desire for escapism. People are dealing with a lot and they want to go somewhere and just detach, unplug, and decompress. That's what the perfect vacation is. So my question is, when was that first, like that high that you got together and you're like, we need to do more of this. What was the location? What was the moment like? What were you doing? Okay, I can tell you. On the Trans-Siberian train, this was our first big trip together, other than Zambia. Because you know, we met doing humanitarian service in Zambia. I direct the medical missions, Zambian medical mission, and Sandy's one of our doctors. So we were all about, we always say adventure has no age limit and service has no borders. You know, you can just get out there. But on the Trans-Siberian, there was crime on the Trans-Siberian. We were taking second class because we are budget travelers and do everything ourselves. And there was a crime and we were approached by the KGB and they were searching us and interrogating us. And you know, the KGB's got you in the middle of Siberia. You're going to tell them everything you know, which we don't. We said, we know nothing. Well, you look very suspicious. They searched our luggage, our ceiling tiles, everything. They took down the ceiling tiles, looked everywhere. Well, you do say, say yes to everything. So involve the KGB. But I like what you said about this book. It is not a travel log. It is an inspiration to what? It's an inspiration to open your heart to the world and to the people that cross your path. And seek joy. And seek joy and adventure. That's really what we're all about. It doesn't matter your differences. We all want joy in our life and we need to seek it. It's there waiting for us. No doubt. Well, thank you for joining us, Ellie, Sandra. We appreciate you so much. Here We Go is on sale now. I like the title too. We will be right back. This is going to be a big hit. Thank you. Thank you.

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled new action against left-wing groups following the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, targeting the anti-fascist Antifa movement as a "terrorist organisation."

Washington

Trump targets Antifa movement as 'terrorist organization'

ABC said that the late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has been "pre-empted indefinitely" after comments Kimmel made on the show in response to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

New York

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel show over Charlie Kirk comments

In southern Pennsylvania, three police officers were fatally shot and two others were injured in a violent incident. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and searching for leads on the suspect or suspects involved.

Haar Road

Three police officers killed, two wounded in Pennsylvania shooting

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the U.S. and Beijing "have larger agendas to work out" after media reports of China's internet regulator ordering top tech firms to halt purchases of the American company's AI chips and cancel existing orders.

Beijing

China tells tech firms to stop buying Nvidia's AI chips, FT reports

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced that it lowered interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, its first rate cut since December 2024. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady has more.

Fed cuts interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

Large-scale protests took place in central London in response to Trump’s state visit, with demonstrators highlighting his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Trump's historic UK state visit met with protests in Windsor

On the same day a ground offensive was launched in Gaza City, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report concluded Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a finding emphatically denied by Israeli officials.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel committing genocide in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said that foreign laboratory tests on biological samples obtained from her husband showed that he was poisoned.

Yulia Navalnaya says foreign tests show her husband was poisoned

Prosecutors formally changed Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and said they intend to seek the death penalty. Authorities also revealed exchanges between Robinson and his roommate.

Utah County

Prosecutors formally charge Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle and were greeted by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe has the latest.

Windsor

Trump greeted by British royal family at Windsor Castle

The eyes of the global financial markets are on the US Federal Reserve. It's expected to be cut later on Wednesday, around a quarter-point. But US President Donald Trump has called repeatedly for much steeper rate cuts.

Global markets watch as Trump challenges Fed independence

The U.S. Secretary of State has visited Qatar a week after Israel attacked a meeting of the Hamas negotiating team in Doha. Marco Rubio met Qatar's Prime Minister and the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Doha

Marco Rubio visits Doha, holds talks with Emir and PM

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray provided updates Tuesday on the case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk. Robinson is charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with murder

A judge has dismissed two state terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more details.

Luigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in CEO killing

Israel said it has launched its ground offensive in Gaza City. It comes as a United Nations inquiry finds that Israel's nearly two-year war on Gaza is a genocide. Israeli leaders have denounced the report as "distorted and false."

Israel launches main phase of ground offensive in Gaza City

U.S. President Donald Trump becomes the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit as Britain faces protests over immigration and growing support for the pro-Trump Reform Party. CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports from London.

Trump begins state visit to London amid rising political tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday (Sept. 15) the U.S. military carried out a second strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

Caracas

Trump announces second U.S. strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened investigations into the ‘radical left,’ following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Vice-President J.D. Vance on Kirk’s podcast encouraged people to turn in those who celebrated the conservative commentator’s killing.

Charlie Kirk’s killing prompts broad threats from Trump administration

The United States and China reached a framework agreement to switch short-video app TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, U.S. officials said.

Washington County

U.S., China reach framework deal on TikTok

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as close U.S. ally Qatar gathered other Arab nations' leaders for a summit to issue unified condemnation of last week's Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.

What to know about Rubio's trip to Israel, Qatar summit

President Trump announced the U.S. military has carried out a second strike on alleged Venezuelan "narcoterrorists" in international waters. Three men were killed.

Trump announces second strike on alleged drug boat from Venezuela

Arab and Islamic leaders are gathering in Qatar for an emergency summit following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. The meeting aims to show unity and increase pressure on Israel.

Arab, Islamic leaders meet in Qatar after Israeli attack on Hamas

HBO's medical drama, "The Pitt" beat out heavily-favored Apple TV's "Severance" for outstanding drama series at the Emmy Awards. Meanwhile, Apple TV's "The Studio" walked away with 13 awards and broke the Emmy record for the most wins by a comedy in a single season.

Los Angeles

"The Pitt," "The Studio," and "Adolescence" win big at Emmy Awards

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials amid the nation's recent strike in Doha, Qatar, and intensified attacks in Northern Gaza.

Israel hosts U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched through London in a rally billed as in support of free speech. Many of the chants and speeches at the rally, which was organized by a far-right activist, were protesting against immigration.

Thousands in London march in rally organized by far-right activist

U.S. and Chinese officials concluded a first day of talks in Madrid on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short-video app TikTok, amid Washington's demands that its allies place tariffs on imports from China over its purchases of Russian oil.

Madrid

Global Tariffs

U.S., China begin trade talks in Spain as TikTok deadline looms

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

Orem

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect 'not cooperating' with authorities

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza. Rubio's trip comes after Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

Breakdown