Another road trip day, on my own...

[Sherlock77]

I know that lots of us bring up the term "lonely" to describe ourselves.

Anyway, today went on about a 250 km mini road trip, had a good time traveling on my own, I did talk to a few people along the way, and ate one point I got to thinking... The reason why many of my little road trips are done on my own is simply because I have trouble getting other people interested... As if my interests are eccentric enough, or unique enough that most other people have very little interest in joining me...

Today? Some local folks were running a road rally called The Great Beater Race, cars of course... I had researched and figured out when approximately they would possibly drive along a gravel road that I thought would be interesting to see them from... I got there a little early and took photos in some other nearby sights (in the foothills and mountains)... Eventually I pulled over on the side of the gravel road when I guessed they might come by, waited, and waited, and waited, saw nothing... Headed straight to another place they were planning to pass through, stumbled upon a small time fair of sorts, hung around to take in the festivities and keeping a close eye on the road looking for the cars, none came, eventually I just left and drove back home...

Based on that, would I likely have trouble convincing other people to join me? Even other photographers? I know I can be intense sometimes in my activities and I think it turns some people off, I dislike going out in large groups but sometimes wouldn't mind having one person along for the ride, just a little company, not that I also mind going on my own, I can be either way...

And one photo to prove my point or not...

 

[SusanLR]

I like day trips, road trips. So far I have never gone very far alone. I've always had someone who wanted to go too.
I feel safer with someone.
But, there have been many times the past few years I get a longing to live on the road. If I had the money to buy a large van and just live that way. Stay for a while if I found someplace interesting and go when I wish.
See some of America up close before life passes by.
There is a 90 year old man I've known for 25 years who would like to go also. Money is the problem.

 

[Pariah Dog]

That sounds pretty cool. Not entirely sure the nature of this beater rally, if it was timed or strictly navigational or something like a poker rally. My brother and I used to run navigational rally in Ontario. Also known as Time, Speed, Distance rally. You are given a set of route instructions with all turns based on your odometer (or rally computer if you foot out the cash for one). Stick to the speed it requires for each section and you arrive at check points either early or late. The goal is to arrive exactly on time as you are penalized either way for early or late. Its what rally racing drivers have to in between their full speed "special stages." Those guys can theoretically run wicked fast through a special stage then take a huge penalty by getting to the next special stage too early, or getting lost then arriving at the next stage way late for example.


Wondering around and seeing what you find is a great pass time. If I recall right you do your exploring in your Hyundai Accent? Have you ever considered getting a motorcycle? That is the ultimate way to wonder around and explore. You are out exposed to the elements, nothing obstructing your view, all the smells and sounds are right there by you. You can sometimes explore into places where a car can't go. Put your camera in your baggage along with basic necessities and go. You also tend to meet many more interesting people on a bike. Everywhere you go someone is always interested in your motorcycle and where you came from and what you are doing. Then they tell you an interesting story. I always love the way children are deeply fascinated and enthusiastic about my bike if I happen to cross paths. You'll have a little old lady come up and tell you all about the BSA her late husband used to ride when they started dating with a tear in her eye. There's a bit of a cliche saying in the community, "Four wheels moves the body, Two wheels moves the soul." It's hard to explain until you've been there.

After touring around and exploring on a motorcycle, if you get in a car immediately after it almost feels like your just sitting in a box watching TV. A motorcycle can be surprisingly affordable also. For one you live in Alberta as I do and the insurance is super cheap. I pay something like $150/year! For two, you can get very inexpensive reliable motorcycles that have been used very little. $1500-$2500 give or take, maybe it's 15, 20 or 30 years old but it doesn't matter. It's always been kept in a garage, has no rust, been used very little, it's as good as a 5 year old car. And there's lots of them out there! In Alberta people always think they have to have the newest, the biggest, the most powerful...etc and they are willing to go into debt for it. I think that makes the used market more accessible to a sensible person. This is a whole other topic too but the amount of power people think a bike needs to make is ridiculous these days. Mine in on the lesser side of middle weight, makes 47hp and has plenty of power to pass traffic on the highway and gets up to highway speed as quick as a 300hp Mustang. Bikes with power in the triple digits are madness.

 

[tachyon]

I know that lots of us bring up the term "lonely" to describe ourselves.

Anyway, today went on about a 250 km mini road trip, had a good time traveling on my own, I did talk to a few people along the way, and ate one point I got to thinking... The reason why many of my little road trips are done on my own is simply because I have trouble getting other people interested... As if my interests are eccentric enough, or unique enough that most other people have very little interest in joining me...

Today? Some local folks were running a road rally called The Great Beater Race, cars of course... I had researched and figured out when approximately they would possibly drive along a gravel road that I thought would be interesting to see them from... I got there a little early and took photos in some other nearby sights (in the foothills and mountains)... Eventually I pulled over on the side of the gravel road when I guessed they might come by, waited, and waited, and waited, saw nothing... Headed straight to another place they were planning to pass through, stumbled upon a small time fair of sorts, hung around to take in the festivities and keeping a close eye on the road looking for the cars, none came, eventually I just left and drove back home...

Based on that, would I likely have trouble convincing other people to join me? Even other photographers? I know I can be intense sometimes in my activities and I think it turns some people off, I dislike going out in large groups but sometimes wouldn't mind having one person along for the ride, just a little company, not that I also mind going on my own, I can be either way...

And one photo to prove my point or not...View attachment 37442

I've done a few road trips (one lasted 6 months ) and most were done alone. Like you I also have had no difficulty doing it by myself as I'm comfortable with my own company and I could make up where, when & how long without consultation. Nowadays though, I do have somebody else I would like to accompany me and that is also good.

 

[tachyon]

After touring around and exploring on a motorcycle, if you get in a car immediately after it almost feels like your just sitting in a box watching TV. A motorcycle can be surprisingly affordable also. For one you live in Alberta as I do and the insurance is super cheap. I pay something like $150/year! For two, you can get very inexpensive reliable motorcycles that have been used very little. $1500-$2500 give or take, maybe it's 15, 20 or 30 years old but it doesn't matter. It's always been kept in a garage, has no rust, been used very little, it's as good as a 5 year old car. And there's lots of them out there! In Alberta people always think they have to have the newest, the biggest, the most powerful...etc and they are willing to go into debt for it. I think that makes the used market more accessible to a sensible person. This is a whole other topic too but the amount of power people think a bike needs to make is ridiculous these days. Mine in on the lesser side of middle weight, makes 47hp and has plenty of power to pass traffic on the highway and gets up to highway speed as quick as a 300hp Mustang. Bikes with power in the triple digits are madness.

Agree with that. My bike is nearly 20 years old and still goes very well. I really enjoy going for a ride on Sundays when lots of others are out for a ride. When you pull up at a small town cafe and park amongst a bunch of other bikers there is a sense of camaraderie and sometimes casual conversation for a minute or two. Then off again with no expectation on either side other than hoping they have a safe and enjoyable ride.

 

[Sherlock77]

Thanks for the motorbike thoughts, my budget is fairly tight at present...

 

[Mia]

Kind of interesting, that feeling part of something. We used to drive in summer by car to the maritimes quite a bit, to visit relatives. It was an eleven to twelve hour weekend trip, traveling through maritime provinces was my favourite part as there were clam stands and fish and chip places along the coast and of course the ocean and forests, where we saw bear and deer and moose.

We had an old AMC Concord that we had bought for eight hundred dollars, our first car.
We usually stopped at a small hotel on the return journey in a place called Plaster Rock, NB. When we parked our car, we noticed that that there were six other older AMC cars in the lot. We checked in at the front desk, and then went into the restaurant to eat, where several tables of people were smiling at us. I thought, 'what a friendly place, people are so nice here' they were all part of a canada cross-county AMC rally

 

[Alaska]

Your trips sound kind of relaxing and nice. When I got a new car a while back, the dealership recommended I give it some long drives to break it in. I was having lots of trouble with my ex at the time, so went driving to cool off and reflect. I especially liked driving into Nevada because the long empty roads with no speed limits felt good at such times.

The first month the insurance guys told me I had to cut down my mileage or face a cost rise. I drove several thousand miles with no idea how many miles were passing. It was relaxing and fun. I wish I had a camera then. I saw lots of good things to photograph. Your pictures are inspiring.

 

[Sherlock77]

Your trips sound kind of relaxing and nice. When I got a new car a while back, the dealership recommended I give it some long drives to break it in. I was having lots of trouble with my ex at the time, so went driving to cool off and reflect. I especially liked driving into Nevada because the long empty roads with no speed limits felt good at such times.

The first month the insurance guys told me I had to cut down my mileage or face a cost rise. I drove several thousand miles with no idea how many miles were passing. It was relaxing and fun. I wish I had a camera then. I saw lots of good things to photograph. Your pictures are inspiring.

They are, even if you like gravel roads... I can't imagine how an insurance company can say that, they often ask how long your work commute is...

 

[Manuheleku]

My favorite road trip was the day I decided to drive to the Grand Canyon from Vegas, the Arizona side. It was June 16, 1998. On the way out there I got to see the Gold Strike Casino burn to the ground. There were no injuries or deaths but it was spectacular. I caught the tail end of the fire and got to see all the fire engines and demolition equipment moving around. Then I made it to the canyon and walked a way down the donkey trail and took in the fabulous views. The Grand Canyon really is grand. Got back in my car, I had a Toyota Rav4 at the time, and headed back to Vegas. Coming back the winds picked up and tumble weeds were flying across the highway at windshield level. RVs were parked on the side of the highway. I carefully made it through the worst of it, a couple times the car seemed like it got picked up in the air and moved a foot or two. By the time I passed the Gold Strike the fire was out and it was obvious that it wasn't going to open again. Of course there is something else where it was now. Land that already has electricity, water and sewage is pretty valuable in the desert, especially right outside Boulder City since they don't allow Casinos within city limits. Anyway, I finally made it home, exhausted and with a thrilling day under my belt!