In the summer of 2021 I hit the road and spent 7 weeks driving over 11,000 miles around the country. I stayed with family, in hotels and air bnbs, but got out into nature as much as possible. Mostly in National Parks as I visited The Redwood Forest, Sequoia and Kings, Petrified Forest and Painted Desert, Roosevelt, Little Big Horn (National Monument), and Glacier before heading home in addition to many museums and the exploration of small towns and big cities across the US.
On this trip my mind was at ease, my stress was gone and life was peaceful. And now 2 years later I find myself craving that again. But I want to do more and yet less. I want to camp and spend more time taking in my surroundings and less time being distracted by the modern amenities and big cities. But the reality is, I haven't done much camping in the last decade, and certainly haven't done any alone. So this spring summer and fall is for growth.
My Big Dream is to spend summer 2024 on the road and at campsites across the west and southwest. 20 National Parks in total. To spend the same number of days on the road as 2021, while covering half as many miles. But the goal is NOT to camp for 7 weeks straight. Rather a collection of half camping with some glamping (HIPCAMP), AIRBNB and Friends (For laundry) mixed in and a few hotels where that is the best option.
My goal is to grow as a person. To prove to myself what I am capable of and to humble myself to the things that are hard.
Dose of Reality
I have IBS and have had Chronic Migraines since I was 2 years old. There are days- like today that my body decides it hates me and the idea of only having access to a vault toilet sounds less than ideal. There are nights like a few weeks ago that any sound or light felt like a thousand knives jamming their way into my skull and the idea of living by the sun and animal sounds that don't care about my pain is a nightmare.
I am also a women. That means I have a period, mine tend to be heavy and very painful, often leading to me being doubled over at work.
So why do this? Why set this goal? Well for starters on my last road trip I was sick 3 times in 50 days- thats close to a miracle for me. Only being responsible for myself was freeing and the removal of worldly stress let my body rest. If I am going to be curled up with headphone or noise reducing loops drinking gingerale and eating crackers or pulling my sheets over my head with a black out mask no matter where I am- I guess I'd like to see how I do in Nature.
Does this process and dream bring some nerves of sleeping outside alone as a female? You bet it does! But I have a year+ to get comfortable with that. And like everything else I do in life I have a plan.
Step 1- Get comfortable setting up and taking down camping gear by myself and sleeping/cooking outside. I live on 2 acres and have a great yard to practice all of this in with my husband near by and access to running water and flushing toilets when I want them.
Step 2- Camping weekends with J (my husband). He is Mr. Nature. Camping and hiking is 100% his element. He is currently training his body to go for his Big Dream of Summiting Mount Rainier. I could not be more proud of him and am so grateful that he supports my dreams too. He is a big part of why I want to do this. Yes this 2024 trip would mostly be solo, but to grow in an activity we can do together is something that drives me forward.
Step 3- Camping Weekends near home but alone.
Step 4- Week long camping trip- 2 different camp sites to practice packing setting up, camping for a few days, packing up, setting up again, camping for a few more days before going home.
I promise to keep you updated with my progress
All for now
-C
