I just went on my first friend-trip in over a year, and I’m not sad about it.
This past year has been interesting. For me, it’s been a mix of definite positives and extreme negatives. I’ve experienced the vast polarity of feeling very thankful to have more time for my own projects and goals and then, thirty seconds later, ricocheting to extreme sadness over unexpected deaths and stress about lost income.
It’s not been the easiest of years.
Travel might seem insignificant to some, especially in light of the Big Things I just mentioned above. But for those of us who are explorers at heart, travel is what makes us feel alive. Travel excites us. Travel heals us.
Removing that from our year in such sudden and long-term fashion as 2020 did was, well… devastating.
I’ve gone on plenty of solo road trips this past year. From revisiting old favorites like Joshua Tree National Park and Red Rock Canyon State Park, to discovering the incredible world called the Valley of Fire, no one can say I didn’t make the most of my time.
But… even someone like me, who loves and adores solo travel, found myself missing time with friends. Found myself missing hugs, casual conversations (in person!), and making memories with those closest to me.
Lucky for me, a good friend of mine was able and ready to join me this month for a trip! We’ve traveled together before, and one thing I’m grateful for is that we are both super laid-back about itinerary and scheduling, leaving lots of room for spontaneity and modifying plans as we go.
As you may know, I recently drove all around Baja Sur alone. I had been to a few spots throughout the Baja Peninsula many times over, but this was the longest and most in-depth exploration I had done.
Well, my friend and I decided to tackle the northern half of the Peninsula and road-tripped our way through Baja California.
In the coming weeks, I’m excited to share the magic of the rain-depleted deserts, the cerulean beauty of the Sea of Cortez, and the pine forests in the center of Baja California. Yes, you read that right – pine forests in northern Mexico!
This trip was good for me in several ways. One, it was so wonderful to carry on easy conversation with a friend I’ve seen in very limited quantities this past year. And two, it was very healing after a death in my family directly prior to this trip.
Life is hard. Life can be painful and messy. And yet, I also feel alive. I feel rejuvenated. I feel thankful. It’s a confusing mix of good and bad, happiness and pain, just more of the same polarity I’ve experienced this entire past year.
Do I have the next year figured out? Not at all. Not as far as my work life, nor my personal life, nor my travel life. Quite honestly, I can’t even clearly see six months down the line right now. In some ways, my life is more confusing than ever.
But I can acknowledge the pain and confusion while simultaneously grasping onto these wonderful days and breathtaking locations. I can be thankful for the here and now, and for this beautiful Earth.
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