Boldly Go Solo

After a stellar mountain biking and rafting trip on the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park, I couldn’t help going on and on about it to a friend. Of course, she then wanted to join me on my next river trip.

I panicked, and tried to come up with a polite way to tell her I didn’t want her to join me. I didn’t think the experience would be the same if I brought along someone from home.

That’s like going to college and making sure you room with a high school friend. It’s a crutch. The plunge into the new is what makes travel exciting. Bringing a friend  interferes with the experience. You’re less likely to mix with the other people as well. People give you some distance if you’re chattering away with your friend from home.

Continued…

On the other hand, people will reach out to solo travelers simpley because they’re solo travelers. On one rafting trip on the Snake River, an older gentleman set his tent up for him and his wife and then came over to help me set up mine. I hadn’t asked him to. He was being chivalrous.

I made friends with other couples and halves of couples. Other
guests were solo travelers, but on that trip I was more in tune with some of the married people. The whole group was
friendly and I hiked and ate and paddled with different people all
the time. I was alone only until I arrived.

Photo: Ellen Perlman. Hiking along the Colorado River. (Can you spot the second hiker? The white dot in the middle of the photo)