It’s not unusual for me to travel to far away places by myself. When people hear that I am traveling alone, they seemed confused. “You’re out here…alone?” or “So you just decided to come all this way by yourself? Huh.” It’s great going it solo. I don’t have to deal with anyone’s schedule or agenda except my own. As an added benefit, friendly strangers are much more prone to strike up a conversation with a lone traveler that with a group. The best way to meet a new friend on the road is to pull over at a diner, order some food and spread a big road map out on the table next to your beer. Someone’s bound to ask “where ya headin’?”
On my journey, not only did I spend time with friends, I also met and got to know some amazing people. Here are just a handful of our stories.
Soon to be newlyweds, Lisa and Jerome
Day 3: Denver, CO
My old friend Jerome and his fiancé Lisa were my wonderful hosts while I passed through Denver. Two years ago we all went on a canyoneering trip during the Perseid meteor shower to the San Rafael Swell in Southeastern Utah. It’s thanks to them that I found a deep love of the canyons and Utah and why I plan my summer trips around the annual meteor shower.
Me, Jim and M’elaine Howlett
Day 4 – 6: Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park, Co
I met up with my very dear friend from back home in Jax, M’elaine and her family. Along with a lot of laughs, we shared a harrowing mountain top experience together you can read about on Day 6.
Augie’s bus
Day 8: Sink’s Canyon State Park, Lander, WY
Augie, the Native American campground host, lived in his tricked out school bus. To help me overcome the run of bad luck I’d had on the trip so far, he gave me a bundle of sage to burn and a crystal he found in the desert.
Keiran and Taylor
Day 9: Popo Agie Falls, Lander, WY
I happened upon Keiran and Taylor, two friends on a hike with their three adorable dogs. They had just taken in a puppy (not the one shown) who was a stray and were looking for a home for her. During the hike we met a woman and her teenage son with their dog and convinced them to take the puppy! They fell in love with her and we knew they’d give her a good home.
Having a PBR with Nate and Pat atop his mountain.
Days 10-13: Wind River Mountains, WY & Tollgate, UT
Not only was Nate a great hiking buddy while backpacking into the Wind River Mountains, he was a great host, letting my crash for a day at his mountain house in Tollgate to do dishes and laundry and to rejuvenate before the next leg of the trip. We talked a lot of our travels and he gave me THE BEST tips on where to go and what routes to take during the rest of my time in Utah. I’m super grateful I made a new friend in Nate and hope we get to hike together again some day.
Day 19-21: Zion National Park, UT
Sandro and Claudia completing the first rappel in The Subway, Zion.
Husband and wife Claudia and Sandro had planned in advance to hike the infamous Subway in Zion with me, but I don’t think we had planned to become such good friends. We shared scary weather moments, a thrilling and exhilarating hike, some funny English/Italian lost in translation moments and a lot of laughs. I’m so glad I met them and can’t wait to hike with them again someday! What an unforgettable experience!
Alex chillin’ with Pat
Day 24: Kanab, UT
While waiting to attend the permit lottery to hike the Wave I met Alex Chacón, a motorcycle traveler who had spent 18 months driving through Mexico and South and Central America. He had some truly inspiring stories of his travels to share. You can read of them at his blog, expeditionsouth.com.
Megan, Jessica, Joe and Joseph
Day 22 & 24: Kanab and Bryce Canyon, UT
I met this family first on the 22nd in Kanab while they were picnicking. We had a great chat and the girls were very interested in the stories this strange woman traveling alone had to share. I told the girls to some day have the courage to do an adventure of their own. I made them promise! Two days later we were surprised to bump into each other on a trail in Bryce Canyon where we snapped this shot.
Doug on the right with his nephew, Blaine and Pat
Day 25: Burr Trail Grill, Boulder, UT
Doug was having dinner with his nephew at the next table over. When he saw my giant road map sprawled across the table he asked the standard “where ya headin’ to?” and the conversation took off. Besides confirming the back road I’d planned to take the next day (Burr Trail) had not washed out in the recent rains and flash floods, he gave me some audio books to keep me company since my iPod had died.
Jennifer, Pat and I at Lower Calf Creek Falls campground and trailhead
Day 25 & 26: Escalante National Park, UT
I met Jennifer in passing on a trail and again the next day at Lower Calf Creek Falls. As fellow solo travelers we had an instant bond and even had a lot of common views on politics, religion, nature and the world. We had a great talk on the hike back and made a wonderful lunch together later at the trailhead before parting ways.
Athena on the ferry, Bullfrog Marina
Day 26: Lake Powell, Glenn Canyon National Recreation Area, UT
I made a new friend in Greg, the ferry captain at Bullfrog Marina. He and his dog, Athena, let me up to the wheel house to chat during the 30 minute trip to the other side. He didn’t even charge for the ferry ride, which was great since I was pretty broke. We swapped stories on scuba diving and rock collecting and later had dinner and a little walk out to the ledge of the canyon overlooking Lake Powell. He gave me a couple chunks of petrified wood and even some dinosaur poop!
There were also many lonely moments on the road. During those times, I found comfort thinking about friends back home. Many of them came along for the ride.
Day 2: Toad Suck, AR:
From left to right: Bety, Carol, Brian and Christine (Meri). These friends gave me the totems atop my dashboard (Meri gave me a road gift, but it was not in this photo). Whenever I’d feel alone, they’d be there to remind of a funny moment or a fond memory. I took this shot right after my car had been repaired after the alternator died. I could have had a really lousy day because of it, but seeing these little guys helped lift my spirits. Bety gave me the the little bulldozer. She said to always remember my friends are there to help carry the load when things get rough. Boy, was she right!
Woody’s Tavern creepy bear.
Day 15: Woody’s Tavern, Moab, UT
A year earlier I’d had a very memorable backpacking trip in the Goat Rocks and Mt. Rainier area of Washington with friends Heather, Dino, Kristina and Scotty. What was simply a funny incident about odd noises in the woods became our inside joke about bears the five of us will forever have a good laugh about. Are you a bear? Say rawr!
Bryce Canyon
Day 24: Bryce Canyon, UT
Years ago when my friend April told me how much she loved Bryce Canyon, her eyes lit up and I saw how deeply the place had affected her. I’m so glad I had her recommendation to go. It was certainly not to be missed! Thank you, April!
Girl on a Ledge 