A Vanlife Guide to Sedona, AZ

If you’re a person who lives on wheels, or even just a person who hates winter, it’s no secret that Arizona is the place to be in January. Nearly every person living that vanlife on the west coast (and some from the east!) comes to Arizona at the end of January every year. After the annual gatherings in Quartzite, me and my new Van Fam (follow them at emma.goes and theotherground) headed out to Sedona, a place I’d been dreaming of visiting for about two years now.

Sedona is one of the most powerful spiritual centers in the country, and is home to tons of red rocks and beautiful hikes. Prior to coming out here, I had no idea how easy it would be to be an overlander in Sedona, but the truth is, Sedona is one of the most vanlife friendly cities I’ve ever visited.

Me and Emma at Cathedral Rock. Photographer: Brien @theotherground

Where is Sedona?

Sedona is located in north-eastern Arizona, making it one of the colder areas of Arizona. It is about 7 hours from the California coast, 5 hours from Joshua Tree, and 3.5 hours from Quartzite, AZ.

Where should I park?

As I said, Sedona is incredibly van friendly, but that means it’s incredibly camp friendly too. This isn’t the type of city where vanlifers are lining the streets, it’s a city surrounded by National Forest land. The best spots to park are along Forest Road 525. You’ll be sure to meet plenty of other van dwellers, and if you drive far enough, you’ll reach the Palatki Native American Ruins. You obviously can’t park at the ruins, but there are spots nearby where you’ll have vast views of the red rocks.

At camp, somewhere on FR525. Photographer: Emma @emma.goes

What are the best restaurants?

We frequented two amazing vegan/vegetarian restaurants while we were in Sedona: ChocolaTree and Local Juicery. A few of our friends actually work at Local Juicery, so definitely go say hi and support your fellow vanlifers (plus, their avocado toast is the best I’ve ever had). ChocolaTree is more of a spiritually minded spot. It has more of a sit-down restaurant feeling to it, so it’s worth going if you’re craving a hot dinner.

Where can I get water?

Living off the gird means certain things aren’t as easy as they could be in a house. One of those things is water. Luckily, ChocolaTree has a spigot with fresh spring water outside their restaurant that they allowed us to fill our 6 gallon tanks with.

Me at Devils Bridge—the most famous hike in Sedona! Photographer: Emma @emma.goes

Where can I go to get in a work day?

There’s always Starbucks, but if you’re looking to get in a work day and catch some views, head to Creekside Coffee. Here, you’ll have views of Snoopy Rock, and can snag some WiFi, even outside.

If you’re interested in learning more about making money on the road, check out Wired Creatives HERE!

Cathedral Rock from below

What are the best hikes to do?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that hiking is a huge reason I go to certain places. Sedona is a huge hiking hub, so we made it a point to hit a few of the Coconino National Forest trails while we were out there.

Devils Bridge: Devils Bridge is easily the most popular hike to do in Sedona. It features a vast, natural bridge photo op and the entire hike is about 4 miles long. Expect crowded parking, but if you have 4WD, you can make it to the real trailhead and skip walking along the dirt road. If there’s no parking, no worries, you can park on the main road too, but it’ll add about a half mile of walking. Prepare for crowds at the top too. We got lucky with a gloomy day, and only had to wait behind about 6 people each, but normally, it’s a crowd of about 150 people at the top.

Boynton Canyon Vortex: This was one of the most powerful vortexes I experienced in Sedona. It’s not a long hike, but it features red rocks and two spires that are said to represent the divine masculine and divine feminine. If you’re a spiritually minded person, you’ll love this spot, and if you get there early enough in the day, you might just catch the flute player who goes up there daily to hand out heart shaped rocks to people.

Cathedral Rock: This was my absolute favorite spot we went during our time in Sedona. It’s a hike basically made of rock scrambles, which made is extremely fun, and had some amazing photo opportunities at the top. Keep an eye out for the vortex trees—trees that appear to have been swirled (this phenomenon happens due to the high amounts of spiritual energy in the area).

Me and Emma at Cathedral Rock. Photographer: Brien @theotherground

Sedona is an absolutely magical spot. Whether you’re a spiritual person or not, Sedona will change the way you see the desert. The hikes here are breathtaking, the camping is quiet and peaceful, and it’s a great place to feel like you have a sense of community on the road.

Three Must-Visit Spots in Laos

I recently returned from Southeast Asia, where I volunteered for a month in Thailand and Laos with GIVE Volunteers. It’s no question that, of the two countries, Laos made the bigger impact on me as a person, a traveler, and a global citizen. Laos is an incredibly special country, and the truth is, two years ago, like many of you, I had no idea it even existed.

Laos is a small, landlocked country just north of Thailand. It borders four other countries as well: China, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. It’s known for its mountains, Buddhist culture, and waterfalls.

During our time in Laos, we visited three major spots (IE: one city, one backpacking village, and one remote village). This is the best journey through this beautiful country that will show you the best of Laos, from Luang Prabang to Sop Chem.

View from the Nam Ou River

Luang Prabang City

Not to be confused with Luang Prabang Province, Luang Prabang City is the first part of Laos I got to experience. It’s a clean city with plenty of hostels (we stayed at Mao Pha Sohk Guesthouse), vans available as public transport, markets, and culture.

Luang Prabang is gorgeous, even for a city, and is home to a fantastic array of restaurants (Coconut Restaurant is a crowd favorite), as well as a huge night market that happens daily, starting at 5pm (Laos time). Our first day started with participating in the Alms ceremony, where we gave rice to monks as they made their way to temple. This is definitely something to experience, even though it starts at 5 am daily.

Another must-see in Luang Prabang is Tat Kuang Si National Park. This National Park is home to Kuang Si Falls, the famous waterfalls that are known as being one of the most beautiful places in the world, and the Free the Bears Moon Bear Sanctuary (who accept donations HERE). Both spots are incredibly important to witness for that perfect balance of cultural understanding and natural beauty.

The last must-see in Luang Prabang is the UXO museum. The UXO museum stands for the fact that Laos is the most bombed country and the most affected by the Vietnam War. Still, there is unexploded ordinance scattered throughout the country. True responsible tourism is understanding the culture, and there is no such thing as understanding Lao culture without talking about UXO.

View from Mao Pha Sohk Guesthouse at sunrise

Ban Sop Chem

Sop Chem is easily one of my favorite places on Earth. Sop Chem is a remote weaving village located directly on the Nam Ou River, and the best way to access it is by boat.

Sop Chem thrives on tourism. Most tourists just come for a day trip from Nong Kiaw, but there is a hostel in Sop Chem if you’d like to stay the night and experience this remote village for the night.

Here, we volunteered at the local school and permaculture plot, but also participated in plenty of cultural activities that tourists would also be able to experience, such as shopping for hand-woven fabrics, hiking to the Power China dam site, and exploring Tam Lom, a cave where the villagers of Sop Chem hid during the war (but please don’t go without a guide).

The people of Sop Chem are some of the most welcoming I’ve ever met, so stay a while if you can, pet the dogs, and play cards with the local kids—this is an experience like no other.

Ban Sop Chem

Nong Kiaw

Nong Kiaw was the backpacker village we stayed in on our way back to Luang Prabang from Sop Chem where we stayed in the Sunrise Hostel, and spent my birthday adventuring. There is so much nature to experience in Laos, and a lot of those beautiful places are right in Nong Kiaw.

Two of the most notable are the Pha Thok Cave and Pha Deang Peak hike. The Pha Thok Cave is another combination of nature and culture, as it gives you another perspective into the history of the country during wartime. Pha Deang Peak is a strenuous, approximately 6 mile hike that gains 3,000 feet in elevation from bottom to top. This is a genuine mountain summit hike, but it comes bearing some of the best views in the country.

View from Pha Deang Peak, Nong Kiaw

Laos is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It’s known for village communities, mountains, and rivers, and the culture is like no other. I hear a lot of talk about visiting Southeast Asia, and Laos should be on everyone’s list, if not for the beauty, then for the culture.

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Laos (other than Sop Chem, which is a good break from being on the grid) is incredibly backpacker and digital nomad friendly. Learn how to work and make money online with Wired Creatives HERE!

What It's Like to Spend Thanksgiving in an Airbnb

An Anecdote From A Full Time Solo Traveler

It’s that time of year again, and holidays for so many people, mean traveling to familiar places to visit family. This year, my immediate family and I decided to do something a little different. We drove 1,000 miles from Los Angeles, CA to Portland, OR to spend Thanksgiving, just the four of us. We did this for a few reasons, one of which being that my parents wanted to do something special for their 29th wedding anniversary, since it always overlaps with the holiday. We wanted to explore somewhere new, since my family had never been to Oregon, and Southern California also doesn’t get a real autumn, so we made it our goal to get a little taste of the cold weather this year before I head off to South East Asia for the rest of the winter.

Dundee, OR (wine country)

We opted to stay in a cute little Airbnb on the SE side of Portland, which was exactly 20 minutes from everything. We were able to experience all of the important sites and visit family in the area no problem. But we planned on doing an all vegan Thanksgiving in our Airbnb, which lead to some interesting adventures in cooking.

We chose this type of accommodation because it would allow us to have a kitchen and the privacy of not having people walking by our rooms all night (I’m clearly not a fan of hotels). The thing is, our kitchen was missing so many tools, from a pasta strainer to serving utensils (try making a huge family dinner without a big spoon, I dare you). This made for some interesting and creative improvisations. Think, spatulas to serve stuffing, rice, and green bean casserole, and a bread knife to cut Tofurkey. Because the truth about travel is that it can be uncomfortable. Not everything is going to be perfect, and that’s kind of the point of an adventure. You figure out how to make it work as you go along, and you have fun doing it because of the place you’re in, or the people you’re with, or both.

Portland International Rose Test Garden in Fall. Clearly, the roses were hibernating already.

But this article isn’t about food, it’s about feeling at home when you’re so far away from it. While Airbnb’s message is about helping you feel at home when you’re away, there’s always a bit of displacement that happens when you’re staying in a new space. I’m pretty used to this, but I’m also used to traveling in a constant vehicle that feels like home (and will be hitting the road in my actual tiny home come January). But because this was such a different type of travel to me, it did take some adjusting. I got to unpack into a real closet! I had a full bathroom, and constant access to a shower! And I still got to experience a new place (weird, I guess this is how most people do the travel thing). More important than amenities though, I had constant access to the most important people in my life, and as a solo traveler, this is a rare luxury.

This was an interesting trip. I’d never spent a holiday other than the Fourth of July away from Southern California, and while I’d spent plenty of Decembers in my college town away from my family, this trip felt different, because this time I was away with my family. That made it so that this crazy cooking adventure felt a little like home, even though we were in such an unfamiliar place. The important thing about the holidays is that you’re with the people you love, regardless of where you are in the world.

Mt. Tabor Park in the early morning

Being away from home made every moment exciting. There was no waiting around for dinner to be done, the way Thanksgiving usually goes, so we didn’t find ourselves snacking all day and filling up before the main course. Instead, on Thanksgiving, we went out to Washington Park and Pittock Mansion to look at some of the best views of Portland, and got home in the afternoon to start cooking. Instead of my brother spending his week doing homework, he was eager to get out and practice his photography in the woods. My dad and I spent time hiking in a local park instead of our usual hills, and my mom and I got excited about trying new vegan restaurants instead of our go-to’s. It made everything an adventure.

My brother and I at Wakheena Falls, Columbia River Gorge area

And that’s the strange thing about full time travel. You get to a point where it’s just life to constantly be moving and seeing new things every day (which I love, despite the complete lack of stability), but it’s a completely different experience when you’re with people who don’t live that nomadic life. Suddenly everything is seen as new again.

Happy Holidays, everybody. Back to our regularly scheduled programming on Sunday with one more little guide to the PDX area.

-HWS

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If you’re curious about my life as a solo female full time traveler, and want to know how I managed to explore all 48 connecting states in 3 months, check out my new ebook, Around the States in 90 Days, in the shop.

My Top 10 Favorite US States

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that my bio announces that I’ve been for 49 of the 50 US states. Because of that, two of the most common questions I get on basically every platform are “what state are you missing?” and “what are your favorite states?” Well, the one I’m missing is Alaska, and there’s a maybe chance that it might be in the plans for 2020 (but nothing’s official yet). The harder question to answer is which states are my favorite, and the reason for that is because the US is so diverse. Every state has something unique to offer, but there are 10 that stand out above the other 39 I’ve been to.

Here are my top 10 US states:

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

10: Minnesota

When I reached Minnesota on while I was traveling over the summer, it was one of the northernmost destinations I had on my list. I was heading to Voyageurs National Park, which was located right on the Canadian Border. When I was driving north, I remember feeling like I’d finally accomplished something. Minnesota was one of the prettiest states I’ve been to. The entire thing is lined with pine trees, and the highway to the national park was one of the most unique drives I’ve done. The trails in the national park often overlook lake Kabetogama, and provide views of Canada on the other side. The people in Minnesota were also super nice, and made it really easy to enjoy my time there.

Lake Kabetogama, Voyageurs National Park, MN

9: Washington

This was a strange one to put on this list for me. While it’s incredibly similar to Oregon in terms of its landscape, it had a very different energy. Washington has a bit of a spooky vibe, and it turns out, it’s actually known for UFO and ghost sightings. The national parks here are absolutely gorgeous. Olympic is super unique, and is home to multiple different landscapes: from mountains, to lakes, to beaches, to rain forests. North Cascades is a unique free park interspersed with national forest land. Mount Rainier is home to glaciers, an impressive mountain, and tons of wildlife. Washington does have a ton to offer, but it’s a very different feeling than the other PNW state, which I’ll get to later on this list.

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Shore Section, WA

8: Maine

Maine is actually going to be the only eastern state on this list. That doesn’t mean I don’t like the east coast, it’s just that most of the east coast is known for their cities, and I’m a nature girl. I absolutely loved Maine though. As I drove into Maine, I saw my first “moose crossing” sign, and it was the first time I saw pine forests since leaving Colorado nearly two months prior, so it’s got a special place in my heart for that reason. Maine really is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a mixture of pine forests and ocean, and Acadia National Park is a gorgeous and unique small park. The people were nice, everywhere was beautiful, and it had some of the best early morning sunrises I’ve ever seen.

Acadia National Park, ME (and the Atlantic Ocean)

7: Utah

I absolutely loved Utah. It’s home to five incredible national parks, including Bryce, which holds the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. The entire state feels a bit like a national park though, and the highways bring you through green mountains, big cities, and rolling farmland. The entire state, from bottom to top is absolutely gorgeous, from the national parks in the southern half of the state to the mountains you can see from something as simple as a Starbucks in Logan.

The famous hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

6: Wyoming

I’ve written about Wyoming a few times now, and that just means it had to make it on this list. Wyoming is one of my favorite mountain states. Wyoming simply has some of the most unique landscapes in the country, from active volcanoes in Yellowstone, to long extinct ones at Devils Tower. This state is super diverse in its wilderness, morphing from the high mountains of the Tetons to the almost-desert of Fossil Butte in the southern part of the state. It’s also home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the country. Here, you can see bears (grizzly and black bears), moose, bison, eagles, elk, and even wolves. Needless to say, if you love nature, Wyoming is the place for you.

Bison hanging out in Yellowstone National Park, WY

5: Arizona

Arizona was actually the place I chose for my first solo trip. I went to the Grand Canyon solo during my last spring break ever, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Arizona is a beautiful state, and one that truly feels unique from its neighboring California landscape. Between its red rocks and the fact that its home to one of the Earth’s natural wonders, Arizona is one of the most beautiful southwestern states. Here, you’ll find classic saguaro cactuses, unique rock formations, and plenty of tourists, which just goes to show you that this state is just incredible. It’s popular for a reason.

This view will make you cry, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

4: Hawaii

Hawaii is an old favorite of mine. I’ve been traveling to Hawaii since childhood, and its landscapes never fail to blow me away. I’ve been to three of the four main islands, and by far, Maui is my favorite. Here, I have memories of learning to surf, eating too much shave ice, and jumping off of black rock into the reef and crystal blue ocean below. Hawaii is simply one of the best vacation destinations in the country, and while Maui is my favorite, the other two islands I’ve been to, Kauai and Oahu have been beautiful as well.

Black Rock on Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii (photo ca. 2012)

3: Montana

Montana is home to my favorite place on Earth, Glacier National Park. Glacier is an absolutely gorgeous mountain park that’s home to some of the only glaciers in the continental US. Here, I hiked my favorite hike ever: Grinnell Glacier. Other than Glacier National Park, Montana is actually gorgeous. As you enter the state from Wyoming, you’ll be greeted by Big Sky Montana, an open, vast expanse of land with, well, some of the biggest sky you’ve ever seen. I also had the privilege of staying a night in Bozeman, a cute little outdoorsy town surrounded by national forest land. Montana is truly a nature-lover’s paradise, and is more than worth exploring.

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT

2: Oregon

I’ve been to Oregon three times now, and I’m actually writing this from an Airbnb in Portland. Oregon is such a beautiful state full of my favorite forested landscape, without the weird Washington vibes. It’s home to Portland, a quirky little PNW city, the Oregon coast, the outdoorsy town of Bend, the climber’s paradise of Smith Rock State Park, and of course, the deepest lake in the country: Crater Lake. Crater Lake was absolutely stunning, but also one of the coldest places I’ve been, so make sure you have the right gear! Oregon simply seems like it’s full of endless adventures, and it’s a place that I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of visiting.

Multnomah Falls, Portland, OR

1: California

Okay, so I might be biased, but my home state is the best state in the country. It’s so huge, and spans the most diverse landscapes within one state. Here, you’ll find desert, mountains, forests (including the world’s tallest trees, the redwoods), cities, and of course, beaches. California is home to nine national parks, including a volcano, and the state includes one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country: Highway 1 through Big Sur. California truly has a little something for everybody, no matter what you’re traveling for.

Glacier Point, Yosemite, CA

Coming up with this list was actually super hard. I love everywhere I’ve been for different reasons, even the places I say I hated. The thing is, traveling gives everyone a unique experience, and we have to appreciate it for that. Every destination is going to leave a different impression on every traveler, and the US is home to such uniqueness that everyone is bound to have their own unique experience.

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To read more about the 48 contiguous states, make sure you check out my complete road trip route in my new ebook, dropping December 1, 2019 in the shop!

How to Visit Los Angeles and Completely Avoid the City

If you’ve been following my journey, you’ll know that I’ve spent some time in my home city of Los Angeles since completing my 3 month road trip earlier in the fall while I transition to vanlife. I used to strongly dislike my home because the cities were all I knew. I was used to visiting LACMA in the city, the pier in the other city, and the Pantages Theater in the other other city.

If you’ve read My Journey, you’ll know my National Park obsession and love for hiking didn’t start until I was already living somewhere else for university, and since being back temporarily, I’ve managed to pretty much completely avoid visiting the city at all. While this might seem impossible, the trick is in the mountains.

Now, you might be thinking, “what mountains?” because usually, when we think of mountains in Southern California, we picture the snow capped peaks of the Big Bear and Arrowhead area, or even the almost constantly cold Mammoth Mountain. We think of Baldy and Whitney, but never do we picture the Santa Monicas.

View from the trail to Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park

The Santa Monica Mountains are a strange type of mountain. Their flora almost mirrors that of the nearby desert, and they’re home to mountain lions, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. But they’re also home to the canyons that connect the Valley to the beaches. They’ve been the site of multiple wildfires in recent years, and with their recent regrowth, they’ve regained their status as the go-to hiking spot for city dwellers. The Santa Monica Mountains are a National Recreation Area, run by the National Park Service, and they include multiple state parks, as well as Malibu’s famous beaches.

It’s entirely possible to visit Los Angeles and never even venture as far south as Hollywood, and even if you’re a city lover, it never hurt to take a day to explore your destination’s natural areas, get some fresh air, and realize that maybe, there’s much more to a place than what you see on TV.

Malibu Creek State Park

State Parks

Two iconic state parks in the SM Mountains area are Malibu Creek and Topanga. Both offer miles of hiking trails and stunning views of the mountains. Both do offer campgrounds, but only Malibu Creek has frontcountry camping.

Malibu Creek was actually the first place I ever camped as a young child, and it has a great family friendly environment, and plenty of short and easy trails. One of the longer trails you can do in Malibu Creek is the Malibou Lake Trail, which adds up to be about 7 miles total, offering expansive views of the mountains, and includes a creek crossing. You’ll also pass through the famous MASH site (pictured below), so even though you’re avoiding the city, you’ll still get to experience some key TV history. I highly suggest downloading the AllTrails app before attempting this hike, especially solo. Some parts are very confusing.

MASH site, Malibu Creek State Park

Topanga is known for some tougher trails. Hiking to Eagle Rock is one of the most iconic hikes in the area, and although it’s only about a 4 mile total hike from the Topanga State Park entrance, it gains almost 1,000 feet in elevation. This hike does offer stunning views of the canyon, and even the nearby coast on a clear day.

Top of Eagle Rock hike, Topanga State Park

My favorite hike in Topanga State Park, though, is Hondo Canyon via the Backbone Trail. The Backbone Trail is a 65 mile long trail that traverses the SM Mountains, and you can hike a few miles of it here, from Old Topanga Road to the Rosas Overlook, from which you can see Calabasas Peak. This is a 10.1 mile hike, and it takes you through canyon overlooks, Southern California Forest, and mountains passes. Hondo Canyon is a hike ideal for advanced hikers, but I’ve seen hikers of all levels on the trail. Just make sure you have some good gear, a yummy snack, and plenty of water.

When hiking in the Los Angeles area, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for larger wildlife. This area is known for mountain lion and coyote activity. Rattlesnakes are also common in the SM Mountains.

Hondo Canyon Trail, Topanga State Park

Malibu Beaches

The Santa Monica Mountains also includes some of the nearby beaches, and if I’m being totally honest, Malibu beaches are far better than Santa Monica Beaches. The most notable one to mention here is actually one that was severely affected by 2018’s Woolsey Fire: Leo Carrillo. Leo Carrillo is easily one of my favorite beaches in the Los Angeles area. It’s generally pretty empty, and is one of the only beaches in the area that allows street parking on PCH (perfect for you overlanders who don’t want to pay for parking). It’s actually part of another state park in the area, Leo Carrillo State Park, where you can camp right on the beach. Leo Carrillo is also one of the only dog beaches in the area, and your pooch is allowed anywhere on the north side of the beach on leash. The south side of the beach is home to tide pools, and is generally the more family friendly side of the beach. Leo Carrillo finally reopened to the public in June 2019, but it is still being rebuilt.

Leo Carrillo State Beach (and Josey)

Other notable sites

Of course, the Santa Monica Mountains are enormous, so there’s plenty to see in the area. If you’re interested in movie history, Paramount Ranch is the place for you. While the old western town burned down in the Woolsey Fire as well, they’re currently rebuilding it to commemorate the many movies that have been filmed there. You can still see the church (pictured below), and go hiking in the area.

Paramount Ranch, Santa Monica Mountains area

Another great area is the Circle X Ranch and Sandstone Peak area. Sandstone Peak is a steep hike, but you’ll be rewarded by surreal views, and the entire peak overlooks the Valley below.

Top of Sandstone Peak

The Santa Monica Mountains are actually so big that I haven’t even explored a huge portion of the area. Next up for me is Malibu Lagoon and Point Mugu State Park, but there’s also so much to keep coming back to. It just goes to show you, you can have an adventure even in your own home, and oftentimes, there’s more left to discover than you think.

How to Prepare for Your First Solo Trip

Solo travel is all the rage these days, particularly solo female travel. This heavily comes from social media’s influence, the rise in feminism, and just generally an interest in traveling the world or living in an alternative way from the typical 9-5 lifestyle. But solo travel is something that take a bit more planning than a trip you’d generally take with your friends and family, and while there’s so much more freedom that comes from traveling alone, there’s a lot you have to keep in mind too.

Of course, many of these tips aren’t solo female travel specific, it’s just that that’s my area of expertise, and honestly, women have to think about a lot more than men do when it comes to safety.

Hole-In-The-Wall, Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

Solo travel is safer than you think

The only way to stay completely out of danger is to stay home, and for me, at least, that’s just not an option. The thing is, being solo and far from home isn’t all that more dangerous than walking to the grocery store down the street in the neighborhood you grew up in. It’s all about confidence, research, and being aware of your surroundings.

I constantly get questions about traveling by myself, and it’s often from people who have never tried it. It’s a unique experience that everyone should try to have at some point in their lives. It’s transformative, eye opening, and life-changing (and yes, those are three different things).

I’ve now spent three months of my life traveling and living on the road full time by myself. I’ve come across some of the most beautiful places in the country, some situations my gut didn’t feel great about, and grizzly bears. Every destination is unique, but here are some tips that will get you ready for any solo trip you could be dreaming of.

For more about why I travel solo, click HERE.

Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana, and the moment I realized I finished my 52 Hike Challenge

1: Do your research.

Before I left on my three month solo trip, I did about a year’s worth of research. Of course, for a short trip, or even a long one like mine, you don’t need to be that obsessed, but it’s super important to do your research. While there’s beauty in showing up to a place and not having any expectations, save that for when you’re more confident in your solo traveling abilities. For your first trip, try to have accommodations lined up, know the area, and try to learn a little about the history of the place you’re going before you even hit the road. My first solo trip was to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and before I even decided to leave, I knew how far the drive would be, how much money to be carrying, where my campsite was (that I’d booked in advance, which I almost never do now), where the visitor center would be, and how good my car’s gas mileage was.

Of course, leave some things to be a surprise. Don’t flood your brain with hundreds of pictures of the Grand Canyon—that could take away from the actual experience. The point of the research is to help you with tip #2.

Okay, but here’s one picture of the Grand Canyon…

2: Carry yourself with confidence.

I’ve found that when I walk like I know where I’m going, even in a city I’ve never been to, I’m bothered far less. It’s when I’m desperately staring at Google Maps that people try to talk to me or street vendors start bothering me to buy things, because then I look like a tourist. As you travel alone more, this confidence becomes far more natural, but as someone just starting out, act like you’re in a routine. Pretend like you know exactly where you are, or what you’re doing, even if you’ve never been there before and you couldn’t recite the name of the street you’re on to save your life. And if you do need help, ask someone who looks trustworthy, like a police officer, store owner, or mom.

Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

3: And carry something for self-defense.

Of course, this doesn’t mean it’s dangerous to travel solo, it’s simply that having something to grab in case of emergency makes me feel safer and calmer sleeping alone in my vehicle. While not everyone travels the same way I do, it’s super important to carry something that makes you feel safe. This can be anything from pepper spray to a knife to bear spray (although it is a felony to use bear spray on a person, safety doesn’t just have to do with defending yourself from other people—animals are a thing too).

Mount Rainier National Park, WA

4: Don’t be afraid to ask strangers for photos.

Solo travelers everywhere know that one of the hardest things about traveling alone is not being able to take pictures of yourself. Of course, a tripod or selfie stick can do the job, and so can the good ol’ classic selfie move, but sometimes you want those artsy, insta-worthy pics and you just can’t get them right if you’re the one taking the photo. Don’t be afraid to ask people to take pictures. I usually try to ask someone with a professional camera (to take one on my device not theirs), because they often know how to properly frame a shot. If you’re worried about safety, ask a mom with kids, or offer to take someone’s picture first—they’ll often want to return the favor.

A stranger took this photo for me at Inspiration Point in Grand Tetons National Park, WY.

5: Overpack.

This seems silly, but since you won’t have another person with you, it’s important to have everything you might need. When I traveled across the country, I had so much with me that I didn’t need. But this also means making sure you have enough cash, your passport, even if you think you don’t need it, and extra medicine if you take any, just in case you run out far from home.

On top of this, make sure you have the right gear and know how to use it. Don’t plan a camping trip if you’ve never pitched a tent before, but also, it’s not impossible to learn new skills, so don’t let not knowing stop you from doing! Just make sure that pitching that tent for the first time doesn’t happen at your campsite.

Doyle River Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park, VA

6: Download some apps.

Depending on the type of travel, there are some great apps that will help you out. Google Assistant is great at translations, iOverlander is helpful for finding safe spots to park if you’re living that vanlife, and Roadtrippers can help you accurately plan a route and do research. There are so many resources out there, so just find the one that works for you!

Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT

I could honestly go on and on about solo travel, how magical it is, and how safe I felt on the road, but I’ll save that for another blog post. These are my main tips for traveling alone, and if I had to give one last piece of advice, it would be to just surrender to it all. Even if you’re well researched, not everything is going to go as planned, so allow yourself to be open to it, because only then will the transformative experience of traveling alone have its affect on you.

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For the full story of my three month solo trip, there will be a full ebook of my itinerary, budget, and all my advice and hidden gems available in the shop on December 1, 2019, so if you want to be the first to hear about it, make sure you subscribe to the newsletter by scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page!

How to Visit Salem, MA and Pay For Nothing But Parking

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It’s October, and I know a lot of people are heading out to New England and specifically Salem, MA to celebrate the changing weather and recently dubbed “Spooky Season.” Salem is a fantastic destination any time of year, but with the changing autumn leaves of October, and the general spooky vibes the place gives off, there’s no better month to go.

I had the fortune of visiting Salem during the summer and the spooky feelings were already there. As a heavy budget solo traveler, I was determined to pay for nothing but parking and food, and if you bring your own lunch, you can take a day trip to this famous town for only $6 all day parking (and gas).

Salem, Massachusetts was made famous by the Salem Witch Trials, an event that occurred in 1692 which resulted in the deaths of 20 people accused of witchcraft.

Today, the whole town is themed around the idea of witches and Halloween and is home to tons of museums such as the Salem Witch Museum and Halloween Museum. These attractions aren’t free, though, so if you’re a budget traveler like me, these aren’t really an option. The good news is, there are plenty of free things to do in Salem to experience the town.

Statue near the Salem Common

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial was built in 1992 to commemorate the 20 people who were killed during the Salem Witch Trials 300 years prior. The memorial is free to visit and consists of 20 benches, one for each of the people whose lives were taken and surrounded by black locust trees. This is a somber place, but one that should absolutely be experienced if you are planning a day trip to this little New England City.

The Old Burying Point Cemetery

Directly next to the memorial is the Old Burying Point Cemetery, which is where one of the Witch Trial judges is buried. Also a somber experience, it’s important to visit these places out of respect for the place’s history if you’re also going to experience the Halloween festivities (or in general, they’re interesting and important stops any time of year).

Walk Downtown Salem

Even if you don’t plan on buying any souvenirs, walking through downtown Salem is a cool experience in itself. With witch-themed shops, cobblestone streets, and a beautiful fountain statue, Downtown Salem is a cool place to hang out if you need some downtime during your day in Salem.

Downtown Salem

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Venturing away from the spooky stuff, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site features a cool little walk down to the lighthouse that’s beautiful any time of year. Run by the National Park Service, this National Historic Site is a good break from the hustle and bustle of the touristy parts of the city, and not to mention, it’s interesting to see this site that was so crucial to the building of the US in a place that was so destructive to human lives. This site is also attached to the free visitor center just outside of Downtown Salem, where you can get information about the entire city.

Lighthouse at the end of the walkway in the Salem Maritime National Historic Site

The Hocus Pocus House

While I personally didn’t visit the Hocus Pocus House because I didn’t want to move my car and lose my paid-for spot ($6 for 4 hours, which was more than enough time to see all of these things and eat lunch), it is free to visit. If you’re a fan of the Disney original Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus, this is a must-see for you! While they do have paid tours that will take you to all of the filming locations in the city, visiting the house won’t cost you anything (although you probably won’t be allowed inside).

Follow the Red Line

If you’re out of ideas, look to the ground! Likely, wherever in the city you are, you’ll find a red line painted on the floor somewhere nearby. This red line will take you to all of the important historic spots in the city, so if you’re worried you might’ve missed something, this is a great thing to do to make sure you don’t drive away while there’s still more to see.

While it has a grim history, Salem, MA has its hidden beauty

Salem, Massachusetts is an important part of American history, not just a spooky spot to visit during October. But since it is such a hotspot for all things Halloween, tons of tourists flock there this time of year. Luckily, in this touristy town, you won’t be required to spend money at all if you don’t want to. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this city’s history without even opening your wallet.

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If you’re heading to Salem this October, you’ll need some spooky apparel to get you in the spirit. Shop ethical and adorable Halloween designs at Wholesome Culture.