solo travel
You've got somewhere to go, but no one to go with; solo travel is the nexus of independence and opportunity.
Living Out of a Suitcase
So you may ask: what is it like to be a nomad and live out of a suitcase while travelling around the world? Well, it has its downside but this is small compared to the benefits of a life of adventure.
Dean MoriartyPublished 7 years ago in WanderQuest of the Phoenix 2017 (11)
Since I’d fallen asleep so late last night, I did not get up this morning until 7:45, the latest of the entire trip. I showered and then found it to be raining outside. Heading to the office, they had no breakfast, but at least they had coffee (which was a relief since there was no coffee-maker in the room). I thus finished off the last of the dry food I’d brought for Firstmeal and opted to leave a bit earlier than planned, since I only had about a five-hour drive today and I wanted to consume more fattening, horrible shite from purveyors yet untested. I seemed to have missed my chance to try Chick-Fil-A, White Castle, Church’s Chicken, or Whattaburger, but another burger franchise still awaited. In Michigan City, Indiana, to be precise.
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in WanderQuest of the Phoenix 2017 (10)
I rose via alarm (Did I mention that I brought my own alarm clock?) at about 7:15. I showered almost immediately so that I could grab breakfast (which was minimal but adequate) without stinking too badly and returned to my room to study my route for the day yet again. At some point someone knocked on the door and a child’s voice said, “Hi.”
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in Wander- Top Story - August 2017
How I Decided to Hike the Pacific Crest Trail
The first time I had ever experienced camping, I was six years old. I was with my family and we stayed at a state park somewhere below Houston, Texas. We played football, climbed trees, made s'mores, and slept in a gigantic seven person tent. In the mornings, I would steal Pop Tarts out of the trunk and drink cold Gatorade from an ice cooler. If we had to use the bathroom, no worries! The fully air-conditioned bathroom of the service center was a car ride away. That was what camping was to me, in the summer of my sixth year of existence.
Niche VeraldiPublished 7 years ago in Wander Quest of the Phoenix 2017 (9)
I didn’t sleep too well, thanks to a combination of lingering coffee (which, of course, I’d needed to get through my Vanishing Point-esque marathon) and whatever is the car equivalent of jet lag. But I figured it would be enough. Had a nice, big, fat continental breakfast with extra coffee; studied my route for the day; the usual. After checking out and loading my stuff into the car, I called my dad again, since he wanted to know that I was okay, etc., and also to vicariously relive his own various trips out West back when Route 66 was still Route 66.
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in WanderComfort Zone
"Google, define comfort zone." "Comfort zone. The place in which one functions with ease and familiarity." Well then, by formal definition, my comfort zone measures at an approximate fifty-mile radius, ninety percent of which consists of farmland and sagebrush. It is endless stretches of fields, country backroads, and Grandpa cussin’ the referees between grumbles of “you call that holding, ref?” and “someone get this man some binoculars!”
Kendi StonebergPublished 7 years ago in WanderQuest of the Phoenix 2017 (7)
Today I had what was only like an hour’s journey to Casa Grande where I would be switching hotels because…I dunno, just to see a bit more of Arizona, mainly the area south of Metro Phoenix. Thus I slept in, not rising until 6:45. Once again I got a nice breakfast courtesy of the motel and re-planned my routes; I was also pleased to discover that my clothes had dried properly overnight. Taking the first load of stuff out to my car, I found the housekeepers, a middle-aged Hindu couple, sitting on the hallway floor waiting for me to leave (due to the short drive today, I had pushed my departure time close to the 11 AM limit). I told them that I had to go back inside one more time, did so, and then gave them the go-ahead before returning my keycard and heading out.
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in WanderHow to Meet Women While Travelling
This is the chance to see new worlds, have new adventures, and, more importantly, meet new people. Being single pushes these boundaries a little further and the ability to say "yes" to opportunities can certainly get your heart racing. Being single whilst travelling doesn’t mean you have to travel alone, on the contrary, the single perspective is thrilling, fun fuelled and full of adventure. Dating sites may well have been your friend over recent months and helped you to fine-tune your social skills and abilities with flirting techniques. But always remember these skills, techniques, and new found confidence can always be transferred throughout your holiday or travelling experiences. Here are the top tips on how to meet single women whilst travelling and share your good vibes.
Sandra BakerPublished 7 years ago in WanderQuest of the Phoenix 2017 (6)
Up at 6 AM again (after an eight-hour rest; hard to believe this is a “vacation” with me going to bed and getting up so early) and spent three hours preparing myself. First, I went and got a nice nutritious continental breakfast with all of the food groups represented (except meat), then I spent some time planning my route to South Mountain Park, grooming, and dressing carefully to hide the fact that I was slightly out of shape — I would be hiking in the rising heat of the late morning, so I couldn’t get away with wearing a jacket or whatnot.
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in WanderQuest of the Phoenix 2017 (5)
Once again I was up at 6:30 and had a breakfast of tea and granola/fruit bar. Browsing maps and such on my phone, I was determined to CAREFULLY plan my route into Phoenix to avoid anything like last night’s debacle. In any event, I knew that my motel this time would have an actual “parking lot.” Still I retained some residual nervousness.
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in WanderQuest of the Phoenix 2017 (4)
I rose early again but took my time getting ready, since I had a shorter drive today (or so I thought). Checking out, I also bought a postcard depicting Canyonlands National Park, since Tina (and her mom) had requested one and it enabled me to give the innkeepers an extra 80 cents to thank them for their nicely-scented room. I was on the road again by 9:30 and in good spirits, for today I would be driving through Monument Valley.
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in WanderQuest of the Phoenix 2017 (3)
The clock in my room had not been adjusted for Daylight Savings Time and I forgot to correct it, so I thought I was getting up at like 6:30 but actually it was 5:30. So when I went out for continental breakfast 15 minutes later (they’d said that breakfast started at 6:30), I was actually 45 minutes early instead of within the proper range. The Spanish speaking guys were hanging around the lobby ignoring me and talking to each other as I wondered why the bread products were still half-frozen and why I could smell eggs but not see any yet. At least I got a bagel and some coffee.
Nathan SturmPublished 7 years ago in Wander