nevada – STEPHY

All Aboard an amazing cross-country train adventure of a lifetime

“Take your time like a turtle… and you will see more.”

Before the Journey

A few years ago, I wanted to take the train to travel in the United States but hesitated. In the U.S., the train is not as popular as in Asia and Europe. I was curious about the difference. I have been used to traveling by airplane and car in this country. Now, the train calls me again. Train travel might give me a new perspective and different way to see things and life. I decide to take the California Zephyr route, which is operated by Amtrak, a total of 2,438 miles, a 52 hour adventure, departing from Chicago, across seven states: Illinois- Iowa – Nebraska – Colorado -Utah – Nevada – California, with 33 stops, terminal at Emeryville, California, then take a connecting bus to San Francisco.

Looking back the history of the California Zephyr, the service began on March 20, 1949. It offered dining experiences with lines and china; from the elegant staterooms complete with bathrooms, showers and bedrooms to the cozier “roomettes”. The Vista Dome affords unobstructed panoramic views of the great scenic West. By 1970, heavy federal investment in the Interstate Highway System and aviation technology had strained many railroads’ ability to privately fund passenger trains. The Zephyr made its last run on March 22, 1970. In 1983, Amtrak took over the train and offers passenger service daily. (If you are interested in learning more information of the Zephyr, please find it here).

The Zephyr itself experienced a long journey, giving me a deep overview of the American railroad. I carried on an adventurous soul and was open minded to start a long-distance westbound journey on April 25, 2023, to perhaps transport me back to that era.

Onboard

About my “moving” home

Onboard the train, I gazed out the window, the city skyline disappeared slowly. I was like a curious kid, glimpsing the train inside: from my cozy roomette to other passengers’ roomettes, then rest areas and bathroom at the lower level. On the upper level, I observed each detail of the bedroom suites and family bedrooms, and I walked through the dining car, observation car and coach car. With the motion of the moving train, sometimes I cannot stand still.

**My private roomette, comfortable seats by day.**

**The observation car transported me back to the 1980s.**

I “lived” in a moving home. The endless houses and old factories passed by the window. My roomette was transformed to an office, I worked and had a meeting when the train passed by the Mississippi River in Illinois and Iowa, with a soft sunset light reflected on the desk. Wow!

My furniture transformed into a bed at night. I slept on the train, the sound of the train whistled and grinding along rusty rails. I woke up due to the strong train motion, like an “earthquake”, the train swinging. I half opened my eyes, did not know where I were at all, sometimes seeing the weak lights moving and heard the melodious sound “Hoot” “Hoot” vaguely. I only had a light sleep onboard the first night.

**I experienced “moving” in a bed like I never had.**

I listened to music, connected to this “moving” home and “lost” in the vast lands with endless unique landscapes, daydreaming quietly. It was very relaxing and I was in no rush at all.

The hot shower onboard was as luxury a “gift” as the long train ride. I got a refreshing shower in an only 8 feet wide and 10 feet long mini room. Ha. The bathroom can “move” too, so fun.

The moving “home” is on the tracks, day and night.

About the history and spectacular scenery

“How did pioneers immigrate West before train travel was so prevalent in the U.S.?” The question floated in my mind. The train was crossing through the plains of Nebraska.

The time zone was one hour behind the Midwest when I woke up the next day. The train was heading to Denver’s Union Station, Colorado. I debarked briefly for “fresh-air”, like a happy kid, running to the front of the train along with the mist and cold air, each detail of train delivering the long history of railroad in the U.S.

**The train was stopped at the open-air train hub.**

The Denver’s historic Union Station building with the open-air train hall showed me appreciation for rail history and the power of transit-oriented urban design. It is a Beaux Arts masterpiece located on the edge of the city’s central business district. The station was transformed into a major regional transportation hub: adding commuter and intercity rail, bicycle and bus routes and pedestrian pathways into an intuitive intermodal hub, the new elements of design make it more functional and efficient.

**The “arch trusses” structure and clear view of the historic station was impressive.**

The train was moving slowly again. It climbed up the majestic Rocky Mountains, one of the most scenic landscapes of the Zephyr route. I was transported to a magic white snowy world immediately, the wind kicked up a flurry of snow, sweeping the massive mountain and I can feel through the observation car with floor-to-ceiling windows.

**I enjoyed seeing the path where the train crossed from the back window.**

The epic sight and the experience on the train were totally different from traveling by plane or car. With nonstop twists and turns, sprawling mountain vistas and endless dizzying array of tunnels, the train followed the rail and kept climbing the mountain terrain. I lost count of tunnels along the journey….

**The yellow house was exceptional shining in this white world.**

Hey, I just passed through the famous Moffat Tunnel, which passes under the continental divide. Named for railroad pioneer David Moffat, who designed this exactly 6.2 miles long difficult route 120 years ago, it carries pipes that provide drinking water for Denver, too. I dreamt in this tunnel in the darkness.

We kept moving, the breathtaking scenery changed as the day progressed. It was slithering along the sheer rock walls of Gore and Byers Canyons, while the roiling Colorado rushes past more than 100 feet below, I looked ahead where the tunnels in a row cling to the cliffside, I glanced down to see the Colorado river during my lunch time.

My time slowed down completely. I saw red color rocks; I saw my good-luck charm deer again that cheerfully appeared for my adventure.

**I was in the middle of nowhere, glimpsing the mountain and this particular curve view from the back window of the train.**

Around 4:50 PM, the Zephyr ran along a range of arid hills at the edge of an open plain, the familiar Utah’s buttes and mesas passed. I knew I was in the wild west.

**Utah’s unique landscape never gets old.**

I sat next to the window and witnessed the spacious lands and vehicles moving parallel with the speed of the train, the intoxicating freedom of a sort that I have felt almost nowhere else in life.

**The sunlight blazing through our window as it peeked across the Utah ground.**

Unexpectedly, the train stopped for more than 30 minutes, and the conductor said the arrival time at Salt Lake City would delay to midnight. I did not feel nervous and continued to enjoy the tasty dinner with others. It was a rare experience in modern America.

**The unique dining experience only on the train.**

I entered another time zone, one more hour behind again, when I woke up next. I saw the change of sky from dawn to a blood orange sun blazing with the “moving” bed, the barren and baking landscape I had rarely seen in life, as we crossed the Nevada desert horizon.

**This is something special in a lifetime.**

We arrived in California and came to the Truckee station, another scenic treat in store awaited. The train climbed high into the fir-covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada, passed the Donner Lake and headed through the Donner Pass. I thought about the history of the Donner Party, a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest, they spent the winter of 1846-47 snowbound in the Sierra Nevada, some of them resorting to cannibalism to survive.

**I learned the history of the railroad and migration through the scenery and rail.**

**The train stopped unexpectedly in the nowhere of the mountains again.**

Around noon, the full forests on the mountains appeared in front of us, and the scene still stays in my mind. The train brought me to central California. The train makes its way toward to San Francisco.

About the passengers

I felt almost unplugged with precious little cell service, I slowed down and had a chance to meet and talk with other passengers. I was curious why others decided to take such a long train ride. Are their reasons the same as mine? I got many interesting answers from them, and helped me to understand their journey better.

“I want a different way to see my country”.
“For fun! We do not want to take a long drive cross-country, even though flight is the fastest, but you do not have time to meet and talk with people”.
“The name of Zephyr is like a west wind blaze the train moving. I want to see the specular scenery and history by the wind”.
“I came from Denver and will get off at Salt Lake City, then explore and get back on the train to my next destination, using the train to complete my cross-country travel”.
“The views I never saw by train”.
“I was from Boston, but I did not want to take the whole trip from East to West, so I took half from Chicago to San Francisco”.
“It is my vacation; I am from London. It is totally different from UK”.

Different aged group of people have different reason and needs about their rail travels.

“For adventure!” This surprising answer I heard from a humble old lady, Shirley, 96 years old, who I met at the same table in the dining car. She was a school nurse and completed many adventures in life. At her senior age, she cannot drive, or stop and see things and explore as fast as young people, so she decided to take the Zephyr journey by herself, seeing different scenery and enjoying the food. This impressive lady and her courage touched my heart deeply. She shared her family life and travel story to me. Her son will meet and pick her up at the terminal. We smiled again. I know it is her adventure!

**She glimpsed the views and wrote in her roomette.**

I am thinking, if I were 90 years old, if I still would have enough courage like her to do the thing I want? I have no answer at this time.

I met some Amish people who are known for simple living, plain dress, Christian pacifism and slowness to adopt modern technologies, still maintaining self-sufficiency. I started to understand why the rail travel might be their preference. I can feel the satisfaction from their faces and conversation.

I walked through the coach car back and forth. I glimpsed another side of life I never saw: For some passengers, due to limited budget, taking the train is the most reasonable way for travel and commute to other places. Some just take a short trip, exit the platform somewhere; due to the sleeper cars sold out, some have to stay overnight at the coach. There has few people with weird behavior and mental challenges. I might disagree with them, but I do not have their perspectives and past experiences. Please be open to all.

**The attendant Derrick has been worked at Amtrak 20 years; his favorite part of the train is meeting different people around the world.**

Travel by rail is heaven for the train lover. I met another impressive guy, Dave, with a cowboy style. He is from the Midwest. He told me: when he was young, his mom gave a “toy train” as a Christmas gift, and he has kept a passion with train and engineering, and he worked at Amtrack for more than 40 years. He shared the highlights and rail history of each route in the North America with me.

He said the train has a special meaning for him, if he does not rush, he will take the train for travel, even most routes he took multiple times already and the scenery is the same, but the weather and people can change each time.

**I know it is his way to continue to fulfill his train dream and enjoy the journey.**

The train like a mini-life, different people with different background are on the same journey in a short period. I was experiencing life, too.

Terminal

I “lost” myself in the conversation with other passengers. Oh, the train has reached the Bay Area, and for a short stretch approaching Oakland it runs alongside the glistening waters. It is a sense of elation that airline passengers will never know.

Fifty minutes behind schedule; the Zephyr pulled into Emeryville, finally. I actually have done it! I’ve crossed country by train! Woohoo!

At the terminal, I witness the best moment in this journey: the impressive 96-year-old lady met with her son, a 70 year-old man. Standing by his mom, the 70-year-old man still looks like a “little boy”, silently, unparalleled. I was glad to capture it, making my adventure more special.

**Mother and Son moment on the platform I will remember forever.**

The family bound connection always happens on the station. A son greets the train to meet with his mom at Grand Junction, Colorado, then traveled to California together.

It is about a family adventure too.

**I witnessed the precious family moment at the station.**

It is not a destination; it is about the journey itself.

My attitude and perspective changes. I felt nervous when my train was delayed departing Chicago Union Station, till I was onboard, and my pace and time slowed down. I got used to the train motion and accepted the delay would happen, and took time to immerse myself to enjoy the whole journey. I think the difference of train travel is that it is more like an experience in the U.S., but more functional in Asia and Europe. Compared to a long flight, taking a long train does require more patience and flexibility. It is more the journey itself.

**I glimpsed other passengers’ world I never saw.**

In today’s culture, we often try to push things into order when they aren’t happening on our timeframe. I find myself doing that from time to time, too. But l learned, taking the train should take time, you cannot rush, don’t have anything important planned for the day of your arrival, otherwise you would feel very nervous, delays always happen. Like our life, sometimes we need to take time like a turtle, and you will see more things. If you have time, I would recommend you to take the train once, enjoy the long journey itself.

Thanks for another incredible adventure again! Now a 53 hour (including 1 hour delayed) cross-country train journey is in the books! The journey itself was an amazing adventure already. It was not just an adventure, but also about American history, railroad, train operation, scenery, life experience, people and … family too.

Life of Stephy: floating on the Lake Tahoe

The Tiger is within my heart. I met him already.

When I arrived, due to strong winds, my plans changed. I decided to explore other unknown places. Early morning of the first day, I was at Cathedral Gorge State Park, a hidden gem in Nevada, and no one there. I stood around those unique spires and buff-colored cliffs, shoes were on the ash, and it seemed as if different chapels were around me, full of silence and solemn, a good place for meditation.

**I attained mentally clarity and calm as I stood there a while, a meditation.**

The tiger image always floated in my mind. I was thinking, when I would meet him? I brought this “tiger” thought with me as I hit the road again, this time to Reno, Nevada.

Driving around 450 miles one way was an enjoyable experience.Most of the time my car was the only one on the road. I gazed through the front windshield, to the vast mountains far away, with sparse grass on both sides of the road. It felt like the middle of nowhere, and I “forgot” how a long drive I had to my destination. I actually touched the freedom spirit and had precious time to reflect on my background, past experiences and values, all factors that created the current me. This might be why I loved this road trip.

**My greatest adventures have been the ones where the journey was not mapped out.**

On late afternoon of July 3rd, I picked up a stand-up paddleboard from SUP Tahoe, a local rental company. (I strongly recommend this rental company: the price is reasonable and you are able to pick the board up the day before your rental or return on the next day, just for an additional $15).

I drove around the whole of Lake Tahoe at least five times, the board was on my blue car as we crossed through Nevada and California. Along Lake Tahoe, we witnessed different boats on the clear water. The most surprising thing happened along the way, I met my dream adventurous car – a VW Bus. I was like the happiest kid, as I had found one of most precious things on my adventure, and it made me smile for days.

**Being on the road enjoying the great outdoors is where I am happiest and how I grow in my journey.**

**I wore a pair of fashionable sandals to hike Uphill. Haha. A brand new experience !**

**I will forever enjoy the endless detail of this scene. Also, I enjoyed the journey hiking in my new sandals.**

I parked my car along the lake, feeling the breeze and warm sunshine, closer to my inner soul. Along the way, I met different nice strangers who helped me to load and unload the heavy paddle board. Their kindness made this adventure more special.

**It reminds me to appreciate the kindness of humanity.**

On July 4th, I explored Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe thoroughly with my paddleboard. (Just a friendly reminder, Sand Harbor is a very popular place to visit, and it gets full fast. I was in line at the door at 6:00 a.m., and many cars were already there. I recommend getting there as early as you can.)

At the beginning on the water, I did not find my balance to stand up on the paddleboard. I used my arms while lying and kneeing on the paddleboard instead, until I rowed to the middle of the lake. The strong sun reflected off my whole body. I listened to the sound of the waves, all the sunlight reflected on the water and the wind swaying, sparkling, with the magnificent mountains. I actually did not know where I was.

I was there to see the mountain, which felt close but was far.

**The surface on the lake peaceful looks like a vast, endless ocean. “Life of Stephy”!**

I rowed, no destination in mind, just going forward. It challenged my physical and mental strength to the limit. In the middle of nowhere, on this huge lake, only a tiny adventurous girl with a small paddle board, sometimes I did not stand up and balance on the paddle board, so I felt a little nervous, I decided to lay and let the board float on the water naturally. Sometimes the strong wind blew, the board moved unbalanced on the water, and even though I was not in the wilderness as I had been in my previous adventures, I still felt a little vulnerable.

I gazed at the mountains and blue sky, the spiritual energy beneath the current brought utmost calmness to me. My inner “tiger” pushed me to be calm, to just keep going, and always row, letting the paddle board took me somewhere. At that time, I realized that I met him – my tiger — and he was with me to complete this adventure together. I was not afraid, I was the cloud, the sun, the sky, looking at myself in awe from high above. It was a sense of infinite expansion in all unseen dimensions at certain moments.

**Now the tiger looks nice. Can you see him?**

I shaped a new perspective of “Life of Pi”. I experienced a “Life of Stephy”: I enjoyed the time with him floating on the water for five hours. I stayed balance on the paddle board at the end. The universe unveiled one of the most important lessons to me: the adventurous tiger was inside of me, with strength and bravery coming from within me. It gives me courage and power, when you are on an unknown journey.

In this adventure, I explored Lake Tahoe deeply again in an entirely transparent kayak on my last day. (I would recommend the local rental company: Wild Society, if you would like to do clear kayaking too.)

I saw various shades of turquoise shores and gorgeous private coves. This time, I just relaxed, as I slowed down and observed the picturesque landscape around me. I looked down to below the surface from the clear kayak, Wow, the water is very clear, sometimes I could see the bottom. I gazed far away, the blue sky combined with the glassy water with mountains, and it seemed like I was in a paradise. I touched the water. Wow, it is very cold, even in a hot summertime, it makes Tahoe more unique.

**All the “Tahoe Blue” in my clear kayak.I was very relaxed and enjoyed the moment.**

I felt so fresh and alive in my body and soul, I found the calm in the chaos. I saw Lake Tahoe in a new light: it can be calmness or can be adventurous, the decision is yours.

**Commit yourself and take a journey into the unknown.**

I drove 455 miles back again, on the highway, the last road near the end of my trip, and my mind was recharged. I met a tiger, a dream VW bus and different nice people, all three precious elements the adventure and life gave me.

Most importantly, I brought the tiger back home too. He is part of me, his strong and brave heart had called me. We met each other. I hope, my fellow adventurers, you find and meet your tiger too, maybe a unicorn or a lion. We may not find it always. But at least we will inch closer to it, and in the process, to ourselves. After all, this long journey of ours, even though it takes place in the outer world, is a journey within!

**The best view always happens on the road.**

Tiger Adventure – Floating on the Lake Tahoe – Stephy*Vision

Nestled on the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is known for world-class recreation and incredible mountain views. I was deeply attracted to its amazing landscape and beautiful crystal-clear water, and I was particularly interested to do SUP (Stand-up Paddle) boarding and clear kayaking – a unique and fun experience. I might even meet an adventurous tiger on this huge lake, a scene straight from the movie “Life of Pi”, where a person is adrift in a small boat with a real tiger. I bring this concept to start my tiger adventure this summer. The tiger image always floated in my mind. I was thinking, when I would meet him? I brought this “tiger” thought with me as I hit the road. Driving around 450 miles one way was an enjoyable experience. Most of the time my car was the only one on the road. It felt like the middle of nowhere, and I “forgot” how a long drive I had to my destination. I actually touched the freedom spirit and had precious time to reflect myself. The most surprising thing happened along the way, I met my dream adventurous car – a VW Bus. I was like the happiest kid, as I had found one of most precious things on my adventure, and it made me smile for days. I met different nice strangers who helped me to load and unload the heavy paddle board. Their kindness made this adventure more special. I explored Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe thoroughly with my paddleboard. At the beginning on the water, I did not find my balance to stand up on the paddleboard. I used my arms while lying and kneeing on the paddleboard instead, until I rowed to the middle of the lake. The strong sun reflected off my whole body. I listened to the sound of the waves, all the sunlight reflected on the water and the wind swaying, sparkling, with the magnificent mountains. I actually did not know where I was. I rowed, no destination in mind, just going forward. It challenged my physical and mental strength to the limit. In the middle of nowhere, on this huge lake, only a tiny adventurous girl with a small paddle board, sometimes I did not stand up and balance on the paddle board, so I felt a little nervous. Sometimes the strong wind blew, the board moved unbalanced on the water, and even though I was not in the wilderness as I had been in my previous adventures, I still felt a little vulnerable.My inner “tiger” pushed me to be calm, to just keep going, and always row, letting the paddle board took me somewhere. I realized that I met him – my tiger — and he was with me to complete this adventure together. I was not afraid, I was the cloud, the sun, the sky, looking at myself in awe from high above. I shaped a new perspective of “Life of Pi”. I experienced a “Life of Stephy”: I enjoyed the time with him floating on the water for five hours. I stayed balance on the paddle board at the end. I learned: the adventurous tiger was inside of me, with strength and bravery coming from within me. It gives me courage and power, when you are on an unknown journey. I explored Lake Tahoe deeply again in an entirely transparent kayak on my last day. This time, I just relaxed, I felt so fresh and alive in my body and soul. I drove 455 miles back again, on the highway, the last road near the end of my trip, and my mind was recharged. I met a tiger, a dream VW bus and different nice people, all three precious elements the adventure and life gave me.Most importantly, I brought the tiger back home too. He is part of me, his strong and brave heart had called me. We met each other. I hope, my fellow adventurers, you find and meet your tiger too, maybe a unicorn or a lion. We may not find it always. But at least we will inch closer to it, and in the process, to ourselves. After all, this long journey of ours, even though it takes place in the outer world, is a journey within!

Be a traveler, not a tourist.

Chapter 4: You never know what you might discover until you open your eyes.

“Why do you want to see ‘The Wave’ so strongly?“

The question was posed to me by a nice old man who I had met in Kanab, Utah. The Wave is a beautiful sandstone formation at the border of southern Utah and northern Arizona. A natural wonder, it is one of the most photographed locations in the West, but it requires a permit to visit, accessible only by lottery.

Full of naivete, I stared at the elderly gentleman, and answered, “I have tried for a few years through the online lottery but haven’t got in. Now that I am in town, I went to the visitor center to try the walk-in lottery. I know the odds are low to win the lottery, but I don’t want to have any regrets.“

He laughed, said “The Wave in southern Utah is like the Mona Lisa or the Banks of the Seine in Paris. Everyone who visits Paris, their first thought is to go to see the Mona Lisa and take photos to prove you saw it. I have lived in southern Utah almost my whole life. I love this area, and I can tell you, southern Utah is not just about The Wave, which is actually just one rock formation. If you win the lottery, it’s good to go, but if not, maybe that means it is not meant to be. Don’t be disappointed, Stephy. Open your eyes and let them guide you. There are many hidden gems worth exploring.”

His words stay in my mind, even as I half-doubt myself, deciding to leave town instead of waiting for the lottery that day, and head to White Pocket, Arizona.

White Pocket is situated on the remote and rugged Paria Plateau in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona, close to the Utah border. But to get there, a 4WD vehicle with good ground clearance and off-road tires is a must to pass unmaintained roads of deep sand with rocky sections. When I first arrived, I felt I was on another planet. White pocket showed me nature is an amazing “artist” itself: it has twists, multi-color striations of white, yellow, red, orange and pink, pock marks and pools that sometimes fill with water, strange bulges look like human brains, polygonal fracturing and wave-like features. Unlike The Wave, White Pocket does not require a permit. Despite its wonder, this is another place people ignore as an alternative to The Wave.

I let my eyes guide me. In this unbelievable playground, I immersed myself by walking around and standing in what looks like giant brain texture. It is as if I am on an alien world; it’s really a thrill.

***When I saw this texture, pattern and color, I appreciated nature as an amazing artist.***

***I looked up to see the tree stands on the “brain” texture, quietly expressing beauty of Earth.***

***I stood on the top of a “brain,” looking so tiny in this alien landscape.***

***Everyone will discover a different wonder through their own eyes. I saw ice-cream cake.***

***Nature never ceases to amaze and inspire us.***

***It has its own mystery and is unique, no less impressive than The Wave. Why do we need to be so focused on The Wave?***

After I explored and witnessed this fantasy landscape, I realized that the world is so big and has infinite opportunities to discover all its natural workmanship, so why do I need to only focus on seeing The Wave? Although I cannot compare both personally, I’m not sure if White Pocket is better than the wave or not. But it is not important. I believe White Pocket is no less impressive, and I enjoyed a great bond with nature there. I realize I should remain open to other ideas and ways to allow beauty to enter my life. When I returned to the town after my visit, I made a spontaneous decision: I gave up my last chance at The Wave walk-in lottery the next day. At that moment, I felt it did not matter whether or not I would win the lottery. I put it out of my mind. I had already packed my mood to go to my next destination.

I continued exploring other hidden gems near Kanab, Utah the next day: I stopped at the Toadstool while I drove on U.S-89, hiked and got to what seemed like another planet: “mushroom” sandstones and rocks. With the white color covering the rocks, from some angles they look like snowmen, and from some angles they look like ghosts. At that moment, I thought that if I were at the Kanab visitor center at that time, I would have missed these unique landscapes that I had stumbled upon randomly as I traveled.

***The highway roadside has its hidden planet–Toadstool Hoodoos. I explore without regret as I get to see so many different things.***

***Is it a snowman? A Ghost? Let your eyes find its own answer.***

I put The Wave regrets out of my mind and take an open-minded heart to continue my journey. I visited the Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, with crazy high winds and sand, but I made a connection with what seemed like Mars here again with its unique, strange hoodoos and mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles. I stood and walked around this magical land and enjoyed the brilliant light of afternoon reflected on my face.

**The cute yurt lives on what seems like Mars.**

***Endless “mushrooms” amazed me no matter the crazy strong wind and blowing sand here.***

When I drove to the Mystic Hot Springs from the Goblin Valley State Park, I experienced four seasons along the road: sunshine-rain with sun-rain-snow-sunshine, and suddenly the mountains covered in snow appeared before me. I enjoyed the fast-changing weather so much, just me and the road, deeply. This is one interesting thing when you are traveling, not just touring, because you can immerse yourself totally on the way.

**I soaked in the hot spring with chilled temperature outside the tub–and saw the sunset.**

I visited Sedona, Arizona, “climbed” to the Cathedral Rock to witness those endless red rocks. I also hiked to the Devils Bridge and birthing cave, experiencing big snowfall on the trails. It gave me a different feeling to experience Sedona. Maybe it is not what you picture when you think of Sedona: maybe it is Snowdona? But Snowdona has its beauty, when we are willing to open hearts to feel it.

***The Earth is big, and I am so tiny, but I made a deep connection with the environment and nature.***

***When you travel, stay curious, ask questions, see inside yourself as much as outside.***

*I climbed to the birthing cave to see “Snowdona”, the grey and* clouds, as it was snowing, cover all the red rocks far away. It gave me a completely different perspective of Sedona.

I also visited Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, and Joshua Tree National Park, California to surround and embrace those beautiful things in nature that speak to me and provide me solace.

***I drove one of the coolest roads in the U.S. twice through the park, just wanting to enjoy all the simple things it gave me.***

My perspective changed during this trip, I learned that if you focus too much on one thing, you probably will miss other things in life. In fact, life need not only be about routines or patterns; it can be a lot of different things, and give us alternatives, so we should be open to different ideas and ways of life, and embrace them in our life, and accept any possibilities. They are here to take you on a spiritual journey and turn you into a mystic who disappears from this world and reappears in another.

Traveling is as much about seeing inside yourself as it is about seeing outside. Nature, I came to explore you, but you held a giant mirror in front of me. I absorbed the landscape, reflections of my past, thinking about the world from a new perspective, learning life lessons. I returned as a different person. I did not just tour; I traveled.

I hope the same for you, as you travel, to find more than just being a tourist and taking lots of photos. I hope you see and feel and learn the full measure of it.

Remote places I slept

Chapter 3: I am prepared for real life.

A bold idea came to my mind: I wanted to experience spontaneous things to maximize adventure in my life, to see where I would end up without planning it all out. So I decided not to book any places to sleep to start my recent adventure. The unknown and uncertainty of where I would be spending the night on my trip did not scare me at all; it made it more exciting. I was curious to see what life would give me, without a specific destination after I carried 30 pounds of backpack with gear, hiking from my rental car. I only had my adventurous spirit to guide me. Although some people thought I was crazy, to travel solo and into so many unknown and remote places without an overnight plan for every night, I think sometimes we need to be more adventurous, open minded, flexible and go with the flow. We can learn so much by simply enjoying what life chooses to give us.

***To start this backpacking adventure, I traveled only with myself, my gears, a rental car and an adventurous spirit.***

In fact, I made an excellent decision: during the final 9 days and 8 nights of my backpacking adventure, I spent numerous nights in the wilderness, camping in different places, experiencing amazing and tough things, high and lows – all exciting – and it was difficult, worrisome, scary, fearful, exhausting and heartbreaking, but it also was transformative, and it all gave me a reborn feeling, and revealed to me completely so much about myself and life. I found I am stronger and braver than I thought myself in the past.

Now I am happy to present to you some sleeping locations from Nevada, Utah, Arizona and California.

Night 1 (March 17^th): Slept in a RV Park in Kanab, Utah

I drove to Kanab, Utah from Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. When I arrived, it was dark already. I found an RV Park (Hitch-N-Post RV Park) randomly and parked my car there. All places nearby were closed, so I decided to sleep in my car. For me, a RV Park for one night was ideal, as at least it was a safe area. I ate simple freeze-dried food that night. It was my first time to sleep in a car, but I slept like a baby, as I was so tired, and looked forward to new adventures the next day.

***First time in my life to sleep in a car, alone, but I was still brave to face it, although it was a little bit of a struggle.***

Night 2 (March 18^th): Slept on Lone Rock Beach, Utah

After my White Pocket, Arizona tour, I made a spontaneous decision: I gave up my last chance for the wave walk-in lottery the next day, and instead drove to the lone rock beach to see the view of Lake Powell. The lone rock is one of the few spots where you can drive directly to the water’s edge and camp on the shoreline. When I got there it was dark already: I could not see anything, I only knew that I was at the beach. I set up my tent in the dark, and slept on the beach under the stars. I woke the next morning to see golden and red light illuminating Lone Rock at sunrise. Wow! I was glad that I made this spontaneous decision: it was one of the amazing places I have ever slept.

***Until the sun appeared with its light, I did not know the exact surroundings of where I had just spent the night.***

***This will forever go down as one of my favorite places I’ve slept.***

Night 3 (March 19^th): Slept on the cliff at Alstrom Point, Utah

I camped and slept in my tent on the cliff at Alstrom Point (Utah), facing an unreal view there, but this time I was not alone. I was with my new adventurous friends I had just met. I rolled in my sleeping bag to see endless stars, and although it was windy overnight, I still felt happy because so many magical things happened there. I could not ask for more. My birthday was celebrated there. Although I did not sleep very deeply that night, I had a special feeling there. I awoke to see one of most stunning sunrises in my life.

***The journey getting here was an amazing trail, but camping here and seeing this view on my birthday was absolutely incredible.***

Night 4 (March 20^th): Slept in a car outside Goblin Valley State Park, Utah with wild wind and sand

I arrived at Goblin Valley State Park in the afternoon. At first, I thought I could find a perfect spot to camp on my official birthday night. However, the most unexpected thing was how crazy and wild the wind became, blowing hard with so much sand, like a sandstorm, so strong it could almost blow me over and I could not set up the tent. At the end, I decided to sleep in my car again. Even in my car, I could still feel how crazy windy it was outside with so much blowing sand. The sound was very loud, the first time I slept outside with such intense windy and sandy conditions. I was still brave to face it and slept in my car alone until the next day.

***I slept, alone, in my sleeping bag in my car with crazy high winds, hearing only the scary sound of wind and blowing sand.***

When I woke up, I saw the sun appear on the horizon, but this experience I will never forget. This was one of the first times to really know myself, to know I can be very brave even in a rough situation.

***It was a frustrating night, but to see the sunrise after crazy wind and blowing sand, I realized I am braver than I knew.***

Night 5 (March 21^st): Slept on the grass around cool old buses and falling snow

A cool and authentic place I found has different colorful old buses. I decided to camp nearby, on the grass under a tree, with these old buses around me. But it was snowing and freezing, around 18 degrees. I boiled water with my portable stove to keep warm, rolled up in my sleeping bag. When I woke the next morning, snow covered my tent. In freezing temperatures, I packed up my tent. My hands were totally numb from the cold.

***I felt so cool and excited to camp near these unique colorful old buses.***

***Life is not perfect: I experienced this spot with chilly temperatures and snow on the ground.***

Night 6 (March 22^nd): Slept in a car in a restaurant parking lot in Sedona, Arizona

I arrived in Sedona (Arizona) in the afternoon. I thought I could find BLM land or an outdoor campground to camp, however, I drove back and forth around Sedona until it was dark and could not find a place, the worst-case scenario. I decided to park my car outside of a local restaurant and slept there, in downtown Sedona, overnight. During the night, I woke up many times, worried my car was going to be towed or something might happen. This was the worst night of my trip because I was so worried and exhausted, sleeping in a parking lot alone. But I told myself that I would face and overcome this problem, and although worried and afraid, my heart beat with a secret promise to myself. The next day, I left all these worries behind like the dust, and I was back on the road again.

Night 7 (March 23^rd): Slept in a desert around Superstition Mountain and Cactus, Arizona

I made a spontaneous decision again, leaving Sedona earlier than planned, and I went to Superstition Mountain, Arizona, instead. Here, there were different types of cactus and mountains quietly around me. I slept with heavy rain and the sound of rain. But I witnessed the sunrise reflected on the mountain and cactus, giving me a feeling of being reborn.

***After a heavy rain overnight, I opened my tent, and I saw the mountain and Saguaro cactus, waiting with me as the sunrise came. We were reborn after the rain.***

***I enjoyed being alone with my gear and good company with cute cactus.***

Night 8 (March 24^th): Slept in BLM land outside of Joshua Tree National Park, California

The last night of this trip, I sat in my tent under a tree and saw the soft sun set quietly until all of it had gone down. I looked back on these eight nights I had experienced, and I felt I had gone through a long journey in my life, but it gave me a special experience and life lesson: I am actually braver than I thought, and I can face difficult situations alone, too.

***The last night of my trip, it was only me and gear, simple freeze-dried food and my rental car again. People thought I might be lonely, but my passion and dream took me on this journey.***

Far from home, these unusual places became my home for a night. I’ve come to realize that no matter where I fall asleep, my passion is still there completely. I am on my own journey with my inner voice leading me, no matter how broken I am at the end of the day, no matter if I can find a perfect place to camp and sleep, no matter if I have a fancy meal, or stay in a fancy hotel or resort, I am reborn the next morning. I set up again, I run again, I move forward to meet the next opportunity and start a new adventure again.

It is similar to life. Life is not always prefect, and good things do not always happen, things do not always go according to plan. You have to rough it a little. This is real life, and we should accept good things, but at the same time we should allow and accept the worst things can happen too, as high and lows are all part of life.

While I drove to the airport to return home, I thought back on these eight locations where I spent each night. I want to say to myself: thanks for these incredible experiences, as they showed myself that I am braver than I knew, and they helped me to build character and prepare me for anything that life will throw at me in the future. Thanks to this trip, I know I can face different situations alone. I can tell myself, “Stephy, you are very confident and strong, you saw real life: it is not always a fairy tale, you should allow and face good things and bad things. I know you can do it: you are prepared for a real life, Dear Stephy.”

Now, I bring this wisdom and courage to fly and start my next adventure!