Flying Solo

I've had a couple of big trips in the last six, seven months, and I'm planning the next one, or two. I don't want to say too much about it until I get some more things finalized. What I will say is I hope it includes China. That's all I'll say. Every time I take a trip or plan one, my friends ask if I'm going by myself. There's an eye roll, and then "Yes, I am.". Even people who know the answer usually still ask the question; those who don't know the answer are usually surprised, some are in awe. "Aren't you scared?" "Don't you get lonely?" and variations on that theme. A few things: you're never really alone unless you are in some totally remote location, which has not been the case for me; if you can't stand your own company for a few days, a solo trip might be just what you need; I do my best to not put myself in scary situations, like not hiking into war zones, or walking in potentially dangerous areas (whether that's Chicago, London or Moscow); and do my research. I will concede that there are some things it might be safer to try or explore if you're with a group of friends, but for me, that's okay.

So, until I can hit the road again, be it Cleveland, Chicago or Grand Rapids, MN, I thought I'd take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of my solo trips.

In 1990 I took a six week trip to Europe, partly by myself, but mostly with friends who lived in Germany, Sweden and Denmark. The best of both worlds. I visited Iceland, East and West Germany (before formal reunification), Belgium, Sweden and Denmark.

Iceland

Berlin

Gothenburg

In 2002, I went back to the UK for 2 weeks, one week with some friends, and one week on my own in Cornwall. It was my first time at a B&B and was really nice. I walked to Land's End and walked around Penzance.  

2006 was the year of my around the world adventure, cleverly captured in my book, Oh, You're a Vegetable. That was seven weeks of travel to almost all new places to me, like Russia, India, Turkey, Greece and more. I was scared, excited, overwhelmed. 

I also do road trips around Minnesota, Wisconsin and when I go home to Cleveland. You don't have to get on a plane to have see something new. Cave pictures from Harmony, Minnesota; "A Christmas Story House" and Superman's neighborhood in Cleveland. 

  

This was just a little stroll through the archives. I hope you'll be able to have your own adventures, big, small, home or abroad. Don't be afraid to try it on your own.