At the base of the Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend

I have long been infatuated with visiting Big Bend and West Texas in general. I finally was able to make the 10-hour trek from Houston to Terlingua, TX via my two-wheel drive Nissan Versa.

This was a solo-trip and probably one of the best trips I’ve taken in years. I can tell you all kinds of things about all the soul-searching I did and that being in nature allows you to be more introspective, etc. This is all true however, those aren’t the main reasons I think it’s important to go camping / hiking alone at least once in your life. There are several other reasons:

 

1. Traveling alone allows you the space to go out and meet people. Typically, when you travel with friends you tend to stick with your group. There is
   

   Grapevine Hills Trail, Big Bend

   nothing more motivating then being alone to force you to be more outgoing and talk to locals. I struck up a conversation with a local who took me on a “not so known” hike. If I hadn’t spoken to him I would have never had that opportunity.

2. It forces you to depend on no one but yourself. The idea that you are enough – a concept women struggle with – proves itself true. You learn quickly, that your are your own provider, protector, planner, and source of entertainment. You don’t have someone else to depend on. It’s all on you and you ARE enough.
3. Your confidence goes through the roof. You really develop a feeling of “I can do anything.” Once you figure out you’re enough, you realize there is nothing you can’t accomplish once you set your mind to it.
   

   Terlingua Ghost Town

4. The feeling of absolute freedom.You don’t have to answer to anyone, make plans with anyone or cater to the needs of anyone else but yourself and it feels INCREDIBLE! How many times in your life will you really be able to say you were truly free?