Posted on January 16, 2010 - by Guest

Solo travel for business and pleasure.

Thank you to JJ for this guest post. JJ is an avid solo traveler who sees the country mostly by RV.

Traveling solo has its advantages and its challenges. The biggest challenge, to me, is not the “what ifs” or the “what may happen,” but more the “can you be alone with yourself?” This is the true joy of solo travel.

I feel fortunate that I had a working career that involved business travel. Sometimes, I traveled with a team to my assignment. But many times, I was sent solo. These were the opportunities that I valued the most.

Solo business trips offer the chance for self-discovery.
My most memorable business trip was being sent to northern Idaho in the middle of winter (and a lot of snow). At the time, I owned a sport utility vehicle with four wheel drive, and I was allowed to take my own vehicle to the travel site. The closest lodging to my travel assignment involved staying in rustic log cabins with “just the basics.”

Each log cabin had a fully furnished kitchen, living room, and bedroom. There was no TV or radio, and no inside telephone. This was the early 90’s, before cellular phones and wireless laptops for internet. Not to mention, my travel assignment was for two weeks, so I would be staying over a weekend in this lodging.

First of all, I loved the “no telephone” deal. That meant my employer couldn’t call me except during the day at my work site! I also loved having the kitchen, as I could cook my own meals. Since it was the winter, and very cold, I made hot spiced wine to enjoy in the evenings. There was only one restaurant nearby and it was open limited hours. I preferred making my own meals to going to the same restaurant over and over.

I do have to admit that the lack of a TV or radio did make things a little quiet, and the evenings a little long! But this was the challenge. Could I do this? And would I enjoy it? I found books to read. And during the weekend, I put on snow boots that I happened to have brought, along with warm clothing, and did a lot of walking in the snow. It was quite beautiful! I’ll never forget this.
My next most memorable solo business trip involved being on an assignment in 1995 in northern Alabama when Hurricane Opal made a path from Pensacola, Florida, up through Alabama, and ending up in Tennessee. I was in a hotel. My particular location in northern Alabama prevented me from getting the full force of this hurricane. However, it was bad enough from my perspective. I saw the most hammering rain and howling wind I had ever seen in my life. I watched out the hotel window as the wind rocked the cars in the parking lot. I was wondering if I would still have a complete, functioning car the next morning! This was pretty scary and I’ll never forget it! But now I can say, “I survived a hurricane.”

Leisure travel by RV
Now travel solo in an RV. There have been occasions when I stopped at RV parks that had hookups, but no cable TV and no antenna reception for TV. This is when the real fun begins! This is when you learn whether you can be alone with yourself. You either have good books to read, or you take solitary walks, or you learn to make some friends for the duration of your stay. Or, you can make up other fascinating ways to pass the time. Further, I have stayed at “dubious” RV parks that I wouldn’t normally stay at because it was all I could get on a holiday weekend when I didn’t have reservations. Stock up on food, shut the door, and hide!

I love traveling solo! I like the thrill of relying on myself, and knowing I will get through whatever comes up. I like finding creative ways to pass the time, because those types of opportunities help me learn new things and keep my brain active. I firmly believe that if you really want to discover yourself, the best way is through solo travel!