Marilyn Ball, the host of Speaking of Travel, invited me to her radio show and podcast to discuss my long-term travels and my recent arrival to Argentina. I arrived in Argentina a few days before speaking with Marilyn, so I talked about what it was like flying abroad for the first time since March 2020 in a “post covid” world.
Lisa and I talked about what it’s like as a solo female traveler, my memoir Weathered, and some advice for anyone new to beginning their own adventures.
After spending six months exploring and driving around the whole country of Australia, it was time to leave. I reflected on the differences between Australia and the U.S., and I spent my final day exploring Hobart, Tasmania.
Port Arthur was the location of the first juvenile detention center in the British Empire. The announcer on the boat explained that the kids were mixed with adults. At ten years old, they were legally responsible for their own actions. It was sad because most of them were just trying to survive the streets of London and were homeless.
As a solo traveler, I value the opportunities where I get to meet new people as well as meet up with old friends along my travels. Returning to Melbourne gave me the opportunity to reunite with a new friend that I met months earlier, and an old friend and co-worker from the U.S.
People don’t always realize that traveling is work – and that work was starting to catch up to me. It’s constant research, doing, seeing, experiencing, driving, and in my case, writing. It’s why I’ve gotten so behind in my blog. At least I was able to go on a tour of a rum distillery and met some fellow travelers who also house and pet-sit!
I picked up the campervan that I was relocating from Darwin to Cairns for $1 a day from Imoova. On the way, I stopped in Kakadu National Park to explore the rock art, Yellow Water Billabong filled with crocs, and hiked to a natural pool.
I explored the reptile house, beaches, an outdoor festival, movie theater, and went on a sunset boat cruise. I also randomly ran into a new friend, making it feel like the world isn’t so big after all.
What happens when you chase someone to the airport to tell them how you feel? Well, it doesn’t go quite like the movies, that’s for sure. Did I embarrass myself? Absolutely.
I was back to traveling solo, but thankfully, I had my Airbnb hosts and a friend who was still in town. I also met some great people at the horse races who welcomed me into their groups without hesitation.
When I first started traveling, several of my friends and family told me that they thought I’d meet someone on my travels. I must admit, I’ve hoped for the same thing. It’s tricky, though. I feel like I have a better chance of meeting someone compatible with me, maybe a fellow traveler on the road, than I would if I were settled in one city. However, I don’t want to be so distracted with someone that I give up my dreams, travels, and passions. I need someone who will encourage me in my pursuits, just as I encourage them.
I had to face reality about my car being destroyed in the desert. I didn’t know what to do, but my encouraging, famous Airbnb host had words of encouragement. She helped me to make a decision about what I’d do next and was so inspirational, she assured me that everything happens for a reason.
Sometimes solo travel feels incredibly lonely. I had been out of my home country for 5 months (the longest ever) and I was missing family, friends, and familiarity. I never thought I’d miss routine, but in that moment, I wanted something stable. I didn’t want to keep making major decision every single day.
The nighttime prison tour at the historic Fremantle prison provides lots of good history and stories of some famous criminals. The first thing the convicts had to build was their prison! I also met an awesome Airbnb host who had unique travel stories.
Perth is the world’s most isolated capital city. It’s designated as the sunniest capital city in the world. It’s a beautiful city, combing city and nature.
Esperance, Western Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches that I’ve ever seen! During my drive there, I also met some fun characters.
Norseman is the first town I arrived at after driving across the Nullarbor. I stayed at a hotel that was above a bar in an old Victorian building. Walking down the hallway was like walking into The Shinning.
Driving the Nullarbor Plain is like driving through Kansas. It’s more remote than driving to Alaska through the Yukon in Canada. I went hours between roadhouses. There no towns in sight.
Throughout her wild 3-week journey backpacking 220+ miles in the California Sierra Mountains, Christy encountered freezing temperatures, pelting hail storms, and losing her way, but found trail family, incredible views, and experiences that would change her life forever. Hiking up and over ten different mountain passes gave Christy a lot of time to think about why her nine-year marriage was falling apart, gave her the chance to truly embody her individualism, time to make new friends, and the strength she would need on and off the trail. Her life could never again be the same.
This is one woman’s account of the three weeks she spent on the iconic trail.
From Readers Favorite: “... a compelling non-fiction adventure story of finding strength in the face of adversity and learning how to believe in yourself.”
If you enjoy reading my blog, you may also like my book.
From Readers Favorite: “... a compelling non-fiction adventure story of finding strength in the face of adversity and learning how to believe in yourself.”
