Journey to Embracing Solo Travel and Accessibility

My recent post, No Excuses to Move Forward, was about, you guessed it, moving forward. Taking my own advice, I did just that. Stepping outside of my bubble, this young lady went on a solo trip.

With everything so expensive, finding something to do for my day trip had to be affordable. Not to mention, being able to get around since I use a walking cane at times was a plus as well.

My research led me to walking tours, which sounded amazing. A guide points out all the interesting places and things. Through experience, most things like this usually mean an hour or more of walking, which is not feasible for me.

This, in turn, helped me to realize something very important for my solo travel. That planning it down to the wire was crucial. In my opinion, having an itinerary is a must for me so I can truly enjoy myself.

The best vacation would be something like a bus tour, a cruise, or a train. Or a car ride as a passenger. Being seated allows for rest without putting too much stress on my legs. Unfortunately, this was a hard lesson learned.

Living across the Hudson River from New York City presented many options. Everyday life in the city can be a bit daunting at times. When your New Jersey city is quickly becoming another NYC its time for a change of scenery.

The Amtrak Keystone train from Newark, NJ to Harrisburg, PA was the destination for the day. With a three-hour and ten-minute ride, it was the perfect escape. Time to get away from the hustle and bustle, even if just for a few hours.

Choosing a city to visit was no easy task, to say the least. However, wanting to do something different was my initial goal. Not to mention, while being safe at the same time.

I’d watch many videos and read tons of articles about people traveling miles for one thing to do in one day. One person flew from New York to Chicago to spend the day exploring. Another person took a train from New Jersey to Mystic, Connecticut for the gorgeous views.

After watching these videos, a commenter said something that blew my mind. She said, it’s not about the tourist spots when getting to your destination; it’s the ride that is the vacation.

That’s when I made a conscientious decision to make The Keystone my vacation. No, hopping in rideshares to go here or there on a hot summer day. No, checking my watch to make sure I get back to the train station on time. Nothing but pure relaxation.

I booked my Amtrak for arrival in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at around 915 am and my departure at 1007am. This is not a typo; this was my itinerary. Yes, my time spent there would be less than one hour in the capital city.

Sure, it sounds insane and totally off the wall, but it’s an escape from the normal. A chance to see the things everyday life would not allow. The opportunity to share things from your life’s explorations with others is awesome as well.

Getting into my seat and anticipating the journey ahead had me giddy inside. You see, this city girl loves beautiful scenery. It’s just something about it that soothes my soul.

My phone was pointed at the window to capture upcoming moments. The bustling city skyline changed to pretty rolling hills and huge, lovely bodies of water. Passing by horses, cows, and skies so beautiful, a peacefulness swept across me.

There were so many charming and picturesque views that yours truly could barely contain herself. A dirt road intersection reminded me of roads in lovely South Carolina. A red barn took me back to a previous book of mine set in the country.

This experience has taught me so much about myself. My mobility issues are not a crutch: I can still visit different places. It’s all about planning everything out to be safe.

My journey was really amazing, and I’m already planning for another trip. If you have gone on a solo trip, tell me where you have been.

This woman may be a solo traveler who uses a cane, but I’m also living my best life. The life God gave me.

Psalm 16:11 NKJ Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.