The
road is an open place for discovery. Discovery of one's self
and discovery of the unknown. A chance to reconnect with the
soul; a chance to reconnect with the spirit of adventure. WIth
the busyness of this life, we often forget the child within us and
get caught up in schedules, duties, and feeling like
we cannot disconnect from the world around us. But,
every once and awhile, we should silence these voices. The road
calls us to let go.
Taking
a road trip alone is scary to most. The thought of not knowing
who you're going to turn to when you get lost, of not having someone
to talk to when you get lonely, and the possibility of bumping into
strangers along the way can be terrifying. The fact is,
however, that being alone and hopping in a car and heading out
to the great unknown is actually exhilarating. It
quiets your mind and allows you to forget about the responsibilities
at home. It is the greatest way to meditate on the things
you're grateful for and on the things you want to do next in life.
But most of the time, it keeps your spirit still.
There
are, of course, a couple requirements when taking a solo road trip.
The
first: Make a great mix tape. Nothing is better than
rolling the windows down, and letting the wind blow through
your hair as you belt out the words of your favorite song. My
recommendations are classic rock, especially when you want to feel free and on top of the world. Play
this as loud as you can and remember...roll the windows down!
Another recommendation is something melodic and peaceful.
Something that reminds you to be thankful for being alive and
being able to see the magnificent country that is before you. This
is great when driving through a tunnel of trees or winding around a
mountain. Remember to breathe as you take it all in.
The
second: Either plan your trip ahead of time and memorize the
route, or bring a road map. Using your cell phone connects
you to the world that you're taking a break from and it is nothing
but a distraction. Another option is to have an idea of where
you want to go and just drive. There's nothing better than
exploring and happening upon things that were not planned for, such
as finding a great swimming hole or a great place to have a picnic.
You might be surprised by what you find!
The
third: Bring a journal and a great book to read when you take a
break from driving. Document what you see around you, who you
have met, what things you're learning about yourself. Then,
catch up on the reading you've been wanting to do and get lost in a
great story. This time you'll have nothing to pull you away
from those pages.
The
fourth: Don't be afraid to talk to strangers. Of course
you must use caution, but you'll find that most people are pleasant
and willing to help you along the way. Usually they'll fill you
in on the best places to eat or the cool spots to hang that only the
locals know. If you meet an interesting person, get their
contact information and keep in touch. The next time you head
in that direction, you may have someone to visit or possibly some
place to stay!
The
last and final thing: Disconnect from all that distracts you.
Turn off your phone, don't check in on facebook or twitter, and
tell your friends and family you'll call when you get back. If
you don't do these things, you won't enjoy the freedom of being on
the road. You don't get the full recharging your mind and soul
needs and you forget to connect to what is in front of you. Get
out of your car, take a hike, and explore. Let go and be free!
LOCATION: Sequoia National Park
DATE: August 2012
Photos and words from my solo journey north
from Los Angeles, CA to Sequoia National Park.
mmmm. love all these wide shots! so beautiful. such good vibes. beautiful words too, kate.
ReplyDeletei couldn't agree more about the open road. i tend to listen to nostalgic soundtracks when on the road. can't help but seem to look back, sometimes.