Road Trip 2018

In August of 2018, I took my first solo road trip across the United States. I tent camped in National Parks and National Forest campgrounds the whole way. I visited places that I had been fascinated with since I was a child, looking at glossy photos in too-old text books: Mesa Verde, the Grand Canyon, and the alpine meadows of the Rockies. I wasn't prepared, though, for the way the desert captured my heart. Capitol Reef, Zion, and the Colorado National Monument left their marks on me.

Photo: Capitol Reef as seen from the scenic drive, August 2018

The Route

I didn't really stop going in Rocky Mountain, but that was the last real stop, and Google couldn't handle any more stops.

Where I Went

Below is a brief overview of where I went, stayed, and what I did.

Sutherland Reservoir - NE

This was a quick overnight stay at a Nebraska State Recreation Area. The camping fee was minor (cash envelopes only, no staff). I drove for nearly 12 hours on the first day to get as far as I could. I met a nice couple ending a grand trailer tour after their retirement.

Dhillon Reservoir / Frisco & Breckenridge
Mesa Verde National Park
Grand Canyon North Rim
Detour: Zion
Capitol Reef National Park
Colorado National Monument
Rocky Mountain National Park
Image
View from Navajo Bridge en Route to Grand Canyon on US89A

What I Did

Best Campsites of the Trip

Best Campsites of the Trip

May 8, 20190 Comments
Campsites of the TripWhere I Stayed and What I Loved Traveling as a solo woman can be daunting, and camping as a solo woman can frighten a lot of people into avoiding it. But, I
Read More »
Roadtrip 2018: Bike Rides

Roadtrip 2018: Bike Rides

May 7, 20190 Comments
The Best (and Hardest) Rides I've Ever TakenRides from my 2018 Road Trip to the South West Around Lake Dillon &Summit Co. Rec PathThis was my first encounter with real mountains, and it was probably
Read More »

Lone mountains on UT-24 on the way from Capitol Reef to Colorado National Monument

Image
My Tent at the North Rim Campground

Camping Solo: An Unexpected Joy

I've done a lot of solo travel in my life: across the world, across countries, and to hallowed places in my childhood. But I hadn't started camping until just recently. Camping alone for two weeks was a completely different solo travel experience. The loneliness that comes with returning to an empty hotel room was gone. The awkwardness of eating in a restaurant alone--also gone. There's always so much to do at a campsite: cook, clean, wash up, tend a fire and stare into it for ages. Exploring alone in the woods felt natural, not strange. National Park campgrounds are family campgrounds, so I never felt unsafe as a single woman, in fact, I never even felt noticed at all.

Somehow, everything about this solo trip was not awkward or lonely, but freeing and incredible. The long hours behind the wheel were calming as I listened to podcasts and audio books. The hikes alone were pensive, and the biking trips were beautiful.

Like this: