traveling solo

Traveling solo in Van-Geaux

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Traveling solo has been around for years. Many articles and books have been written about it. Tour companies cater to the solo traveler. Senior solo travel expert Janice Waugh of Solo Traveler World “…estimates that probably 75 percent of solo-traveling seniors opt for a tour, but there are certainly some who choose to explore completely independently. ‘I think that as long as you’re fit and healthy and adventurous, then it works well,’ Waugh says. ‘Those who go independently, it’s very interesting to see the response of the world to them. It’s very welcoming.'”*

traveling solo
Cyndy Miller-Hughes and Van-Geaux

Cyndy Miller-Hughes, a friend and former colleague of mine, retired in 2018 after 32 years as an educator. She has been traveling independently since. I met up with her recently to examine her “new” way of traveling solo in Van-Geaux.

Sherry: What were you most looking forward to in retirement?

Cyndy: Travel

Sherry: I understand you purchased a small van for traveling.  Why this particular van?

Cyndy: It is just the right size, drives like a car, and has everything I need.

Sherry: Did you have it customized? 

Cyndy: It was built out by Cascade Campers in Nevada City, California.

Sherry: Does it have a name?

Cyndy: Van-Geaux…I went to grad school at LSU…Geaux Tigers! 

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Solo travel with Road Scholar

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Road Scholar
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When Traveling Solo Doesn’t Mean Traveling Alone

Road Scholar Learning Adventures Combine Camaraderie and Discovery

March 29, 2017

“Each year thousands of baby boomers take to the roads, cities, countryside and waterways to explore and learn with Road Scholar. From learning about Puebloan rock art in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park to exploring Diocletian’s Palace in Split while sailing Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, nearly a quarter of Road Scholars are venturing out on their own to experience learning adventures in all 50 states and 150 countries worldwide. Road Scholar makes these robust learning adventures exciting and comfortable by taking care of all the details and creating a community in which traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling on your own. Women, in particular, are venturing out as solo travelers, seeking challenging and rewarding experiences as opportunities for learning and growth.  (Watch a video about solo travel for women.)

‘Many solo female travelers, in particular, choose to go with Road Scholar because they feel they’re part of a close group on our educational travel programs,’ says JoAnn Bell, senior vice president of programs at Road Scholar. ‘Our adventures offer unique opportunities for people to engage both intellectually and socially while exploring and learning new things, all in a comfortable, safe environment.’

Jill Swaim of Carlsbad, Calif., started traveling on her own with Road Scholar several years ago — by happenstance. Originally, she and a friend planned a learning adventure in New Orleans, but the friend had to cancel at the last minute. Jill went anyway and soon discovered that traveling solo would be more than just OK.”

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Road Scholar is the nation’s largest educational travel organization for adults – a true university of the world. This not-for-profit educational organization offers 5,500 extraordinary learning adventures in 150 countries and 50 states.  Check out their blog at blog.roadscholar.org.

Fearless solo road trip through the midwest

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Roseman Bridge
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My sister Sue and her husband Tom are retired and vacationing this week in Hawaii.  When I asked which island they were going to visit, Sue replied, “All of them.”  They are on a cruise which docks at each island.

Sue/Tom
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The issue I wrestle with the most as a solo retiree is the fact that if I want to travel, which I do, then I must get comfortable with travelling alone.  I always dreamed of taking a long trip abroad once I retired, but fear of traveling solo lead me to settle for a few days in Crested Butte, Colorado (about six hours away from my home) last summer.  Crested Butte is one of my favorite places to visit in the summer and the Wildflower Festival was extraordinary, but it wasn’t the travel I had dreamed of.

Late this summer I decided to stretch myself and overcome my fear of solo travel.  I renewed my AAA account, serviced and gassed up the car, called to see if my friends would be around when I arrived, reserved a hotel home for me, and boarding for my dog.  I was planning a solo road trip, this time venturing out-of-state.

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