Surrounded by crowds of friendly people enjoying their first beers of the weekend, after I order a salad with pulled smoked chicken and sweet potato fries with 6 different homemade BBQ sauces, I can't help but think back on the innumerable unplanned destinations from the last 5 days that have resulted in one of the most exhilarating weeks of my life. I can't seem to express all the heart stopping - and warming - moments I've been fortunate enough to experience, so instead I leave you with what I have learned as a solo traveler. Hope it helps!
1. When you are hiking alone there is no leader - you are the leader and the follower, so you must both be in charge and learn from yourself.
2. When someone needs help you must say 'yes'. Not just because it will make you feel good and it is the right thing to do, but because you need good travel karma.
3. Just because you CAN hike harder trails, keep driving to find a free campsite in the dark, or drive down a 30 mile unpaved road, doesn't mean you SHOULD do it when you are by yourself. Leave the riskier things for when you have company.
4. Say hello, and/or wave, to everyone. You never know who is going to be that awesome person and share a bottle of wine with you, invite you over to enjoy their campfire, or play your current favorite song on guitar and get you to sing it.
5. If you don't have reception to tell a family or friend your hike plans, leave a note on the dash of your car with the start and end trailhead, any stop offs, and estimated time of return. And emergency contact info. I came up with this myself! But I am sure I'm not the first person to think of it.
6. Finally a use for your checkbook! Paying for campsites. Otherwise, always have lots of fives and tens on ya.
7. When pulling into a campsite alone, do one lap to scan out the spots and potential neighbors. Keep an eye out for other solo people, or people that wave as you drive by. Camp next to those people.
8. Just because the weather sucked all night and sucks right now, doesn't mean the view at the top of the mountain will be ruined. In reality, it might be even better, and it will be even more exiting because you trekked through the rain for it. A sea of clouds with a peak poking through, a rainbow, and watching the mist disappear to expose your destination peaks, literally before your eyes. Worth it!
9. I know you really want to go to that one town. It's on your list. But there is a concert down the road. Go where the wind blows. There is always another day - whether tomorrow, next week, or next year - to go back.
10. Don't tell people how long its been since you've showered. He/she wouldn't have known otherwise.
11. When you run into a local or another traveler, ask for suggestions. And write them down.
12. State maps are way more useful than Google maps. They give you a clear, quick snapshot of where the campsites, scenic byways, and water (rivers & lakes) are.
13. Always have a marker and some type of paper on you to write down contact info, good books, or destination recommendations. Receipts and baked goods bags are acceptable. Wink wink.
14. (For US) Take advantage of Costco free samples, cheap gas, and affordable bulk almond butter, trail mix and other snacks.
15. Instead of a case of bottles of water, buy a jug of water, then fill it up whenever you see a drinking fountain. Visitors centers sometimes have great water bottle refill machines!
16. Speaking of jugs of water...wrap your headlamp around one filled with water and point it towards the jug. Instant lantern!
17. Yes people are staring at you! You have out of state plates. You look lost. Your car is packed to the brim. And you either look like hell or super sexy.
18. Always have a trash bag and tp with you while hiking. ALWAYS.
19. Yelp is actually amazing when traveling! Pay it forward and leave a review for others after you have checked out a place.
20. If you feel like going to sleep at 7:30pm, then do it. If you feel like going to the concert down the road, then do it. If you feel like hiking ahead rather than waiting while your buddy catches their breath (and he/she is fine and said to go ahead), then do it. Be aware of how you are feeling at all moments. Go with your gut and follow your heart and soul. Be you. Be genuine. Be honest with yourself and others. Be happy.
Sincerely,
Travelin' Tash
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