Sometimes we just need to go it alone and yesterday that’s what I did. I packed my bike in the car, a bottle of water, and dropped Matt off at work. I headed over to McKinney Falls, about a 25 minute drive from where I live in Austin. Unfortunately, Texas is still in a severe drought, so they weren’t so much falls as a little spicket of water into a pond, but I thought it was all beautiful nonetheless. I wasn’t going to let some drought and dying plants stop me from enjoying a bit of scenery.
I hiked. I biked. I got a flat tire and then walked my bike. I talked to a few people taking photos there. Otherwise there wasn’t really anyone. I ran out of water and thought about how dehydrated I was in the 110 degree weather. But I kept walking because there was a sign that said ‘ledge’ and darn it I wanted to see the ledge. Turns out there wasn’t a ledge and I figured I didn’t want to die of dehydration, especially because there was no one around at the time, so I headed back. I treated myself to a delicious smoothie because I needed the bit of sugar and liquidy goodness.
I firmly believe that life isn’t as exciting without someone to share it with (be it a significant other, best friend, family member) but there is something about taking a bit of time to explore by yourself that gives you a different perspective. It sure does for me.
I LOVE these photos! Solo adventures are fun. I do them a lot.
Beautiful photos!
Beautiful photos Aubrey. I definitely agree that solo adventures are needed at times. I’m taking an extended solo adventure by myself next year and have booked a 10 day holiday for myself to San Francisco and Las Vegas.
I’m jealous of your 10 day holiday for yourself. I’ve only been to San Diego and L.A. but I think San Francisco is much more up my alley and I’d love to go. I look forward to hearing how your visit goes and all that you learn while going it solo.
These pictures are beautiful!
~Sara
oh, I don’t know. I’m on the road for almost two months now. all by myself. you run into people all the time. but it’s still just me. and I have the best time of my life. I always liked being alone (as much as being with someone), and now I think I actually prefer travelling alone, too. fabulous pics
I think sometimes it’s the influence of someone else’s presence that can change how we view and experience, and getting a view without that is often refreshing. As much as I love enjoying life with Matt, I really appreciate those alone moments.
I often find myself admiring people who can do this alone. Thought of being alone in nature wakes up many feelings inside me, biggest one of them is fear. I envy you and your biking skills too
Nihal, I’m not going to lie, there were a few moments when I was scared, particularly when I was alone, dehydrated and a long ways from the car. But if you believe in yourself and trust your instinct, I find that all is good. ^_^
One of my goals for this year is to do more things by myself. Often, if no one I know wants to join me for an event/run/outing, I just won’t go. I’d like to push myself to keep trying things on my own to create these moments for reflection and self discovery!
Alicia, I used to do the very same thing, along with proving a nice little pouty face when I wanted to do something and someone else didn’t. Now I put my pout away and just do it. :~)
OK, McKinney Falls has been on my list for months since I found out I was moving to ATX. Looks like this is what I’ll be doing this weekend! So beautiful!
Another one I want to go to is Hamilton Pool but I’m really hoping it rains enough to get a nice fall so I can experience it in all its glory.
Those are gorgeous photos! Sometimes going out and enjoying nature by yourself is just what the doctor ordered.
I definitely agree that sometimes it’s just nice to do things alone, but like most things – it’s not as fun if you don’t have someone to share the benefits / experience with!
My partner loves to go on solo hiking adventures but I have yet to really do it. I love to go on little adventures of my own but for some reason I prefer to spend my nature time with another person.
I used to go see movies by myself. There was something so stolen about being a dark movie theater all alone in the afternoon. Sometimes it was a dark, heavy film when I needed to process. Or it was a breezy musical–I saw Dreamgirls by myself. It was delicious.
such beautiful photos! x