It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since I launched this travel blog and started sharing my world as a newly nomad, something that completely changed the course of my life. Being on the road has creatively inspired me to write about the honest experiences that come with living a nomadic lifestyle and traveling solo. Last year was the best year of my adult life, and that’s saying a lot considering I’ve been on this earth for quite some time now. It was the first time I felt like I was finally on the right path. Ironically, moving from place to place has made me feel a sense of belonging, but to nothing in particular other than everything around me. 

By the end of 2024, I had built a solid momentum with my travels and had exciting plans for 2025 to keep the journey going. But life shifted unexpectedly, suddenly forcing me to slow down and stay put for a little while to focus on some priorities. What started as a visit home for the holidays turned into an extended stay at my parents’ house, my childhood home in Southern California, with no real sense of a timeframe. Two months turned into three, then into four, and so on.  

I couldn’t be more grateful to have supportive parents allowing me to crash at home during this time of uncertainty. Navigating life as a single millennial can be tough, and I know a lot of you reading this understand. It’s even harder when you don’t like asking for help, which is exactly how I tend to be. But sometimes, it’s crucial to slow down and accept support. This pause turned out to be what I needed to reassess my life and tie up some loose ends.  

Over the summer, I felt myself drifting further from the version of me that had been so creatively inspired just the year prior and I stopped updating this blog for the time being. The stagnation of staying in one place for so long was killing me. I couldn’t wait to get back on the road, but being held back from my passions really took a toll. I lost sight of what mattered to me, consumed by other priorities that demanded all of my time and energy. I slipped completely out of alignment. 

August became my most challenging month of the year with everything I was juggling both personally and professionally. Weekends went from doing normal fun things to being a hermit on the couch. I physically didn’t have the energy to move my body on most days from being so mentally drained. The stress and anxiety weighed so heavily that it manifested through headaches and major fatigue. I only had enough energy to get through my remote work and nothing left for myself. I knew something was off, but when you’re in that state of mind, it’s hard to know how to pull yourself out.

Eventually, I gave myself a goal and a timeframe to get back on the road. I still wasn’t in the best place to just pick up and go, but I couldn’t take it anymore. Sometimes you have to change your environment to change your neurochemistry. So, I decided to hit the road on Labor Day Weekend and finish the year strong.  

Once I made the decision, I had about 3–4 weeks to plan. It’s one thing to plan a quick getaway, but it’s another thing to map out several months on the road. This type of travel takes serious attention to detail. I knew generally where I wanted to go, but it took a lot of researching towns, finding accommodations, mapping distances between stays, checking road conditions, packing smart, brainstorming content ideas, pitching to hotels, aligning plans with work schedules, getting car maintenance, budgeting, and making sure everything was dog-friendly. As an over-analyzer and planner, my brain never shuts off and I’m always thinking five steps ahead. It’s great for making plans, but not so great for the added stress. Still, I always figure it out.  

The entire time I was home, whenever friends or family asked where I’d head to next, my mind went straight back to Utah as a starting point. I’d had an amazing time there last year exploring Zion and Park City, and I knew I’d go back. This time around, I wanted to explore parts I’ve never been, like Moab. I thought it would be a great start to my journey again and it made me really look forward to getting back out on the road.

When I returned to Zion, I made sure to stay at Zion Wildflower Resort again. My experience the first time was absolutely magical. The resort has all kinds of tents, bungalows, and wagons and I decided to stay in the same Shooting Star bungalow as I had before. I wanted to replicate the same experience as the first time. 

Since it was hot outside towards the end of summer, and Zion trails aren’t super dog-friendly, I was content exploring the surrounding areas and enjoying non-hiking activities. Just being surrounded by Zion’s beauty is enough for me.

This time, I finally worked up the courage to visit the historic Grafton Ghost Town in Rockville, just outside Zion. Last year I chickened out halfway down the dirt road, but this time I made it happen. It was a little spooky, but overall such a beautiful, secluded area filled with abandoned homes and a cemetery dating back to the 1800s.  

Because I’ve already traveled through Utah before, I had a good sense of what to expect on the road up to Moab. I always like to know what kind of drive I’m getting myself into, but this one was familiar going up highway 15 for the first half. It took about 5 hours to get from Zion to Moab with a couple stops for gas and food.

By the time I got into town and checked into my hotel that late afternoon, I had enough time for one sightseeing adventure at sunset, and that was Dead Horse Point. As a newbie to Moab, I guess I assumed everything would be within a close distance, but Dead Horse Point was 45 minutes from the town. Since I only had a day and a half to explore, I had to squeeze this one in. Even after a 5-hour drive, I pushed through, and it was so worth it.  

Moab was everything I could imagine and more. I spent an entire day exploring historic petroglyphs on Potash Road along the Colorado River, to adventuring around Arches National Park. Arches felt like another planet, especially at golden hour. I decided to do scenic drives rather than hiking as it was still too hot for my pup. I’m a sightseeing gal anyway. I love to hike and be outdoors, but only under the right conditions. I still felt very fulfilled with my time in Moab overall.   

When I was planning my trip back in August, I knew I wanted to cross state lines to stop in Durango, Colorado because I wanted to check out this cute, vintage motel called The Siesta I follow on social media. The distance between Moab and Durango is only about 3 hours, which was perfect. But a couple of weeks later after booking my trip, I looked at the map again and realized Monument Valley was just a small detour on the way. I’d never been before, and it’s such an iconic spot. Plus, Forrest Gump Point is nearby in Mexican Hat, Utah where they filmed the running scene and there was no way I could skip that. So, I adjusted my plans from Moab to fit in a night at the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat. 

At this point in the journey, I was almost a week into daily adventuring and it was starting to catch up to me. I hadn’t had a break from all the constant stress in over a month, and I desperately needed one. Even though I was having a great time, I was extremely exhausted. Before leaving Moab that morning, I sat in my car and broke down crying. I felt like I was just having to hold everything together for so long that it finally cracked me open. My anxiety kicked in hard, so I gave myself a chance to have a moment and took my time to my next destination. These are times where I wish I wasn’t alone, but I knew I’d get through it because I always do.

The drive from Moab to Mexican Hat was just the therapy I needed in that moment, and it reminded me why my soul desires being on the road. Cruising through the desert of highway 191 surrounded by red rock formations was pure medicine. 

When I arrived at the San Juan Inn, there wasn’t much to do in the area, and I was saving the sightseeing for the next day. The motel sat along the San Juan River, which made for a nice view, but it was pretty much the main attraction. I settled into Room 2 with barely any Wi-Fi reception and what was left of my sanity, so that was my sign to relax and do nothing. Exactly what I needed. 

The next morning, I woke up feeling much better and ready for a full day of exploring before heading to Durango, Colorado. My first stop was Forrest Gump Point, just down the road on Highway 163, with that iconic red rock backdrop from the movie’s running scene. If you’ve seen it, you know the one. I pulled over to find other tourists from different parts of the world taking pictures on the road. We took turns and helped one another take photos and videos. I always love interacting with other likeminded travelers from different backgrounds. It’s a reminder that we’re all human with our own stories seeking the same things – happiness.  

The entire surrounding land is on a Navajo reservation, specifically within proximity of the sovereign region of Navajo Nation. There was a Navajo man on the side of the road selling the most beautiful handmade jewelry. From bracelets to necklaces in all kinds of stones and beads. I gravitated towards these choker necklaces that wrap around the neck. One specifically caught my eye with beautiful turquoise and black onyx accents and dangling charms in the shapes of a feather, rose, and a Navajo medicine man. I tried the necklace on as the man told me a story of the medicine man named “Kokopelli” who brought happiness to the village many years ago. It felt very symbolic to my current situation and my struggle with mental health. Almost as if it was a spiritual message reminding me to be happy. When I paid for the necklace, the total came out to exactly $33, which is a number that I resonate with and had been seeing during my trip. Another validating sign that I was being guided. 

I carried on my journey to go see the iconic Monument Valley. It’s right on the border of Utah and Arizona, so I crossed state lines about a mile deep into Arizona to see the West and East Mitten Buttes from the visitor’s center. It was so breathtaking! The entire landscape felt like a heavenly experience and I was once again in awe of God’s creations on this earth. 

I looked down at the road leading into the National Park and wondered if I had time to go explore. When I checked my phone, I thought I was right on schedule, only to realize the time had switched back to Arizona time. I was actually an hour ahead and needed to get back on the road. With a long drive ahead and one more landmark to see, I decided to save it for another trip. I told myself I’d be back to fully experience Monument Valley, but for now, I was content with the brief glimpse I got. 

Next stop… the Four Corners Monument. But first, I had to choose my route in getting there. One option was longer and a bit out of the way with more miles but offered straightforward highways. The other was a bit shorter and faster but with remote backroads cutting through the middle of the desert. The thought of taking the smaller backroads felt a little risky, but timing was everything, so I found the courage to go for it. Side note, a rare tornado hit that exact area just a week later! 

I definitely wasn’t fully prepared for this drive as it was far more rural and off-grid than I expected. There was barely any sign of civilization along those narrow, winding roads filled with potholes, bumps, and loose gravel. Every so often, I’d spot a trailer or an old pickup truck in the distance reminding me that I was mostly alone out there in the desert for miles on end. I kept trying to stay calm and focus on my gratitude for my reliable car and the beauty around me. Eventually, I came across a small sign marking the Red Mesa Chapter area and realized just how deep I was into unfamiliar territory. I told myself, “The only way out is through.” I could let my anxiety take over or surrender to the scenic drive. Whenever I start to feel uneasy on drives like this, I remind myself: Just drive. I know how to drive. I’ll be okay. I’ll get there. 

I finally reached the Four Corners Monument where Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico all meet. It was cool to see in person and take a few photos, but you definitely have to hustle with the crowd since everyone wants their moment. Thankfully, everyone was respectful, and we all took turns. I didn’t stay long, though, I just wanted to experience it for myself, mark it off my bucket list, and keep going. 

Crossing into Colorado felt like the true end of my Utah journey, and in a way, the start of something new. The scenery shifted from desert red rock formations to vibrant greens, and I couldn’t help but feel like the scenery change reflected what was happening inside of me. Somewhere along the way, I started to feel like myself again. 

This trip reminded me why I fell in love with life on the road and the freedom it brings me. It helped me find my light again after feeling stuck and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. 

Tag along for more on my Colorado adventures as I visit the coolest vintage hotels: The Siesta Motel and The Starlite Vintage Resort! 

XO, Tawnie