This past summer, I went on a solo road trip across the country. It was about 9000 miles and I did it in my 2011 Toyota Prius, filled with my camping supplies, clothes, food, and anything else I needed. I visited 19 national parks and spent much of my time alone in the woods: exactly where I want to be. In Yellowstone National Park, I acquired a permit to “Primitive Camp” meaning I hiked 4 miles into the wilderness to set up my campsite from nothing but what I brought to live at for a couple days. Although I could explain more about that time in detail, one of the most memorable moments was my hike back to my car when my primitive time was up. Exhausted from packing everything up at sunrise, I was about a mile from freedom when I stopped to get water from my pack. It was the only time I looked down to the ground. At that moment I heard a rustling in the woods near me; solo hiking requires one to constantly make noise (singing, talking, clapping, etc.) for reasons that I was about to truly understand. Comically raising my gaze, it was met by one owned by an immensely massive Grizzly bear. It chuffed and pawed at the ground, making marks in the pine needle blanket about 15 feet from me. I swear my heart stopped beating as my hand unconsciously moved to the $55 can of bear spray sheathed on the holster on my belt. Having groaned about the price tag earlier, the possibility of dying for my disdain for spending money hit me embarrassingly hard. The bear made a louder noise and shook its head. Fearing it was agitated, I spoke softly to it- my voice shaking as much as my legs. “Woah hey hey hey buddy! Bear! I’m okay you’re okay. Hi!!!!” I managed to get out. Our standoff lasted less than half a minute but I kept my hand on my bear spray. Luckily, I heard more rustling ahead of where the Grizzly bear’s path was. Where the Momma bear’s path was! Although I kept my attentive and primitively attentive gaze on her, I can confidently assume that she had cubs she was following. Making a final groan and head rear, she continued on her path to follow the cubs and left me frozen in place. I didn’t dare move a muscle for a few minutes until the adrenaline wore off and I realized that I had to make it back to my car before the situation repeated itself. Thankfully it didn’t, and imagined how I would tell the story to my family and friends as I packed away my supplies, ready to hit the road again.
- Solitude
- Adventure
- Wilderness
- Survival
- Fear
- Resilience
- Freedom
- Self-reliance
- Adrenaline
- Vulnerability
- Connection
- Awe
