Hi, my name is Gray, and I’m a 40-something travel junkie. Okay, maybe not junkie, but I do love to travel and see new places. I have traveled to five countries and 16-plus U.S. states and have made seven solo trips. I’d have done more, except I really didn’t have the money to travel until this past decade, and my upbringing didn’t generate in me the courage that I see from so many young women these days to live out of a backpack while seeing the the world. I do admire them, though. I was never really the “roughing it” type to begin with, though, so even now that I have my “solo wings” for travel, you still won’t catch me living out of a backpack and staying in hostels.
Why do I travel alone? Well, for starters, because I usually can’t find someone else who has the money or desire to travel or who wants to go when and where I do. So my options are 1) don’t travel or 2) travel alone. I choose to go alone. Having done so a number of times now, I have to say I think everyone should try it at some point. Aside from the obvious benefits of being able to do whatever you want whenever you want without having to worry about the wishes of a companion, traveling alone helps to create an inner strength and self-confidence.
I created this website so I could share some of what I’ve learned during my travels, provide useful links to online travel resources and generate some interest in solo travel among people who haven’t yet taken the plunge. My philosophy is don’t let anything—fear, other people, lack of resources, etc.—keep you from exploring this huge, diverse world we live in. If there is a place you want to see, then go see it. As St. Augustine said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” (City of God)
9 responses so far ↓
1 BCGuy // Apr 14, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Hey, - I assume I ‘found’ you … great site!
BC
2 admin // Apr 15, 2008 at 6:23 am
Hey, BCGuy! Good to see you here! Yes, it’s me. Thanks for checking out my site.
3 BCGuy // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:50 am
I see you are a VT local/native. We were there in 1980 as part of a cross Canada/return through USA summer trip.
Ever been to Vancouver?
BC
4 admin // Apr 15, 2008 at 11:24 am
I have not been to Vancouver, but I hear it’s beautiful. How did you like Vermont?
Where have you been besides Vegas and your cross-country trip? (I like to live vicariously through other people’s travels, too.)
You’ll be seeing a lot more about my home state on my blog soon. Stay tuned….
5 BCGuy // Apr 15, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Wow - besides LV, etc. Since Sept - 5 days in the Okanagan (interior of BC and WA); 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise; 1 week in Phoenix/Tucson.
As well, over the past 20 years spent most of the summers ‘camping’ (actually, a tent trailer) all over western USA and parts of Canada. Furthest east I guess was Toronto and Indianapolis. Also hit New Orleans in ‘96.
Been to Australia twice and Great Britain once - that trip was by myself so your thoughts on ‘alone’ were interesting, although as a guy, I would think it might be a little different.
So, where have you been? This is fun!
6 admin // Apr 15, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I’m in the process of creating a map at TripAdvisor with pins for everywhere I’ve traveled. I need to figure out how to post it here. Stay tuned….But in short, Mexico, Quebec, England, Germany, Austria, and 16 or so U.S. states (most East of the Mississippi).
7 BCGuy // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Sounds like, between us, we have the USA covered! I’ve been to most of the states west of the Mississippe, plus Alaska and Hawaii (well, at least the airport!).
The ‘map’ sounds interesting. Have you looked into using Google Earth for something similar?
M
8 admin // Apr 16, 2008 at 6:08 am
I hadn’t, but will now. Thanks for the suggestion!
9 BCGuy // Apr 16, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Forgot to answer your ‘Vermont’ question … had to look at a New England map and figured I meant New Hampshire. We were camping just outside of Boston and went to a tennis tnmt (Concord, I think). So, never been to Vermont although I hear it’s lovely!
Btw - ‘Gray’ - a family name? ie. mother’s maiden name, e.g.
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