How Private Tragedies Launched Me Into Solo Journey

Solo Traveler Snapshot

• Title: Tracey T.
• Age: 58 
• Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
• Materials Standing: Divorced 
• Favourite Solo Journey: Sedona, Arizona

Easy, encouraging phrases from a co-worker and life circumstances spurred Tracey to take her first step into solo journey, and she or he hasn’t appeared again. She spends time touring to her favourite locations in a van she rehabbed herself. She’s realized a couple of methods alongside the way in which and found what’s actually vital in life.

Solo Traveler Inspiration

TravelAwaits: What impressed you to journey solo?

Tracey: Once I was 28, my sister, Chris, died of cervical most cancers and she or he was solely 42 (she left a husband and two youngsters, 12 and 9). When she was in hospice and I used to be the one one in her room on the time, I questioned what she wished she would have achieved whereas she was alive. Ten years later, her husband, Frank, handed away at 52 of a mind tumor. The day we buried Frank, we came upon that my dad had a large stroke and was within the hospital. He wasn’t anticipated to dwell however he did for one more 3 years and ultimately died in hospice of congenital coronary heart failure at 72. 

My sister, Pam, had many small strokes in succession when she was 62. She’s 68 now and in an assisted residing residence. I take her out after I can to go to dinner and I additionally assist deal with my mother who’s going to be 93. My brother, Al, came upon he had colon most cancers when he was 56 and he handed away 3 years in the past — 2 days after his 63rd birthday. These traumatic losses affected the course of what I’d do subsequent.

I’m divorced and I’ve been a single mother to my daughter, Jessie, since she was 1. After highschool, she moved to Seattle to go to school. In 2019, I made a decision to lastly take some “me” time and fulfill a dream of shopping for a van and touring cross-country. I purchased a 2001 Roadtrek Versatile 190 and renovated all of it myself. In September and October of 2021, I offered every part I couldn’t match within the van and gave up my townhouse. On November 7, 2021, I took off from the driveway and began touring cross-country for the winter. I got here again in April of 2022 and I’m planning on leaving this week once more for the winter.

Materials issues don’t maintain a lot worth for me. I’ve realized that I’d fairly spend my money and time on experiences as a substitute of “issues.”

First Solo Journey

TravelAwaits: What was your first solo journey?

Tracey: My first place to journey was to Phoenix to do NASCAR! I didn’t know something after I left the driveway. I didn’t even know a lot about my van or the place I used to be particularly going to remain. However, I had a map and I knew I might determine it out, and I did! I wasn’t scared. I feel I felt extra targeted on the method: getting from level A to level B, driving on my own, and the place I used to be going to sleep that night time. That’s one factor I really like about van life: It actually retains you within the second of what you’ll want to do or how you will get to the place you need to be.

Favourite Facet Of Solo Journey

TravelAwaits: What’s your favourite a part of touring solo?

Tracey: I really like assembly new folks on a regular basis and simply touring alone on my timeframe. Plus, I’m very social however I really like being on my own, too.

Favourite Solo Journey

TravelAwaits: What’s your favourite solo journey thus far and why?

Tracey: I’d most likely say visiting a clothes-optional resort in Georgia! I by no means thought I’d go to 1 nevertheless it was one thing I needed to attempt. I believed I’d simply be sitting inside my van for 2 nights. It wasn’t in any respect what I anticipated and the property was stunning; 84 acres of trails and wonder. There weren’t many individuals there and I made actually good mates with two of the blokes there who’re retired and stayed for the winter. I’m really assembly up with them firstly of subsequent yr and staying there for a pair months. I’m wanting ahead to our adventures!

Largest Solo Journey Concern 

TravelAwaits: What was your largest concern earlier than your first solo journey and the way did you overcome it?

Tracey: I feel my largest concern was attempting to determine the time it might take to get to Phoenix for my journey. I had every week to get there and I wanted to ensure I stayed on observe to get there in time. I went an extended route as a result of I didn’t need to go over mountains or run into snow. All of it turned out high quality and I made it in time. One other large concern is different drivers. Even when I’m going the velocity restrict within the “sluggish” lane, there are folks and large rigs that need to go over the velocity restrict and aren’t very type to common drivers.

Favourite Journey Product

TravelAwaits: What’s one product you can’t dwell with out in your journeys?

Tracey: My cellphone. I take advantage of apps like iOverlander, which has helped me a lot in a pinch to discover a place to sleep in a single day. Most of my journey is boondocking and never paying for parking someplace.

Finest Recommendation For Solo Vacationers

TravelAwaits: What recommendation would you give somebody who’s contemplating solo journey?

Tracey: It’s in you. If you’re feeling prompted, do it! It takes planning and it’s not simply one thing you soar into. I researched for five years after which discovered precisely what I needed which was a Roadtrek. Additionally, I’ve no debt and I saved for my first winter touring and it ended up costing twice as a lot a month than I believed it might. You are able to do it however simply be sure to have a plan!

I do know I had thought and researched it for years. I by no means instructed anybody as a result of I believed they might assume I used to be loopy. I lastly instructed a buddy on a stroll throughout our break on the regulation agency I labored at and, to my shock, he was so supportive. He mentioned, “Tracey, I can see you doing that and I’m jealous!” Then, I instructed one other co-worker and she or he began sending me buses on the market! Simply that encouragement made a complete lot of distinction in me believing that I might do it. Even when you don’t have anybody to assist you, know you might be robust and succesful sufficient to determine it out and do it when you actually need to. Don’t ever hand over in your desires!

Be at liberty to comply with Tracey’s van adventures at Advert-van-tures Over 50 on YouTube! Additionally remember to try her web site, and comply with her on TikTok and Instagram @advanturesover50.

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