I Was the Stranger on the Trail

I used to think hiking solo meant you’d find yourself. Turns out, sometimes you just find yourself talking to a chipmunk because it’s the only thing that doesn’t look away. Glacier National Park, 2018: I passed couples with matching boots, families with snacks. I tried to look like I belonged, but mostly I was just counting steps and pretending I wasn’t lonely. The only real conversation I had was with a hiker who asked if I’d seen any bears. I lied and said yes, just to have something to say. Sometimes, the wildest thing about being out here is realizing how much you miss being known. #SoloTravelTruth #TravelConfessions #HikingAlone #Travel