“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balanced, you must keep moving” -Albert Einstein
After enduring far too much stagnation in Colorado, the eagerness for an adventure overcame me. Armed with the Ikon ski pass I had purchased back in May, I felt compelled in to utilize it to its fullest extent. The idea to embark on a solo road trip to the Canadian Rockies, in my trusty 20-year-old Tahoe struck me just three weeks ago. My journey involves pit stops at various ski resorts and National Parks along the way. My plan, if you can call it that, is more like 1/3 of a plan, being brutally honest. The schedule is loose, but my primary goal is crystal clear – to revel in the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies and ski my heart out!
So, let’s dive into the game plan. First, a few days of skiing bliss await me at Jackson Hole. Following that, a quick dash to Big Sky for another round of snowy adventures. Then, it’s off to Bozeman, MT, where I’ve arranged a stay through TrustedHousesitters. From there, the journey continues to Schweitzer, ID, and then across the border to Red Mountain and Revelstoke. The grand finale includes a loop through some national parks, culminating in Banff and SkiBig3, followed by a majestic finish at Glacier National Park. Fingers crossed, I’ll be back by mid-February!
My “Monkey Mind”
Now, as I write this blog post, I find myself at a McDonald’s in the quaint town of Rawlins, Wyoming, where my plan is to spend the night at the local Walmart (I made sure to confirm I’m allowed). In this moment, an unusual vulnerability to the world’s uncertainties washes over me, which is oddly associated with the presence of sunlight. During daylight hours on the road, I found inspiration in podcasts from “Zero to Travel.” However, as soon as the sun dipped below the horizon, an immediate uneasiness settled in. Perhaps, deep down, I harbor a fear of the dark, seems suspicious though.
I’ve dedicated the past few hours to unraveling the mystery behind this unease. Is it because it’s been a while since I hit the road? Could it be due to my lack of concrete plans? Is it the novelty of this being my first road trip in my car or my first solo trip in the US, a place where trust doesn’t come easily to me? Or is it the middle of winter, and my decision to sleep in my car suddenly seems questionable? Alternatively, maybe it’s a recurring pattern, and I’m experiencing amnesia from past anxious episodes. Reflecting on it, I recall feeling pretty anxious when I first landed in Bangkok by myself. Whatever the case, I acknowledge I’m spiraling – a testament to my capability and past experiences in even more vulnerable situations.
Being a solo female traveler adds an extra layer of complexity to my journey. I’ve delved into numerous solo female traveler blogs, absorbing the same safety tips and tricks repeatedly. Strangely, it doesn’t ease my mind. Yet, I remind myself that I’ve been here before, not precisely in this Rawlins McDonald’s, but as a solo female traveler, alone and vulnerable at night. I’ve weathered the storm at a midnight bus station in Bangkok, Thailand. There’s little to do but accept my circumstances and view it as a potential growth moment. After all, growth often stems from getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Finding Peace of Mind
So, as the sun rises tomorrow, I’ll set course for Jackson, Wyoming, hoping for an early start to hit the slopes and indulge in my true passion – skiing. I’ll continue on my solo road trip to the Canadian Rockies. Perhaps the thrill of skiing or the McDonald’s iced coffee in the morning will be sufficient to lift me from this rut. Either way, there’s not much else to do but retire for the night at the Walmart across the street. Not the most glamorous scenario, but an experience that will undoubtedly shape the stories I’ll carry forward.
Here’s to adventures in the detours!
Bekah: longwayaroundtravel