There are many things we experience in life that will challenge us, break us, and ultimately shape us into who we become. 

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana

For the first 21 years of my life, I feared the unknown and found comfort in knowing my next move and plans for tomorrow, ultimately mapping out my life for the foreseeable future. At the end of July 2023, sitting in a chair at my summer internship, I got probably my craziest idea and ran with it: I was going to the Pacific Northwest.

For a few months, I had been hooked on the idea of getting out of my comfort zone and seeing the world for what it was. The more the idea sat in my brain, the more I grabbed onto it and wanted to make it a reality. I started looking into the logistics and the next day I bought an Annual National Parks Pass, solidifying my decision.

In the moment, I had not considered that the friend I had brought this idea to potentially would not be able to swing a 3-week turnaround and join me. At the end of the day, I just needed to leave Wisconsin and see the world. A week later she let me know that she would not be able to join me so it was decided – I was going alone. Little did I know this would be the start of something amazing.

Flash forward to August 16th. At 6:00am, I packed up my stuff, grabbed my keys, got in my car. 16.5 hours later, I stopped at a crappy hotel in Billings, Montana. I will spare you the details, but here is all you really need to know about that first day of driving:

1. South Dakota is arguably one of the most boring states to drive through length-wise
2. Taylor Swift music can, and will, play for about 9 hours before getting old. I have a new found love for Forever & Always, Taylor’s Version of course, but I have an entire playlist if that’s not your jam. Listen here!
3. There is not much going on in the east 1/2 of Montana

The next morning, I woke up and did it again. Driving across the Idaho/Washington boarder was one of the most thrilling but also terrifying moments of my life. I remember distinctly thinking to myself, “Taylor, you are alone in Washington. You are alone. In Washington. What were you thinking?”

13 hours after I left Billings, I came to a campground in Cle Elum, Washington. Upon arriving I picked a spot, sat in nature, read a book, and settled in. What I did not expect: 3 hours of sleep clutching a knife in my hand and hoping to make it out alive. Long story short, a few missing posters at the entrance and flashlights going through campsites at 11pm do not make for a very peaceful environment – especially for a 21 year-old female traveling alone 28 hours from home. I left that campsite at 3:00am, and no, I did not go back.

I decided that for the first few days of my trip I would get my feet wet a little and before jumping right to the National Parks, I would go on a beautiful 9-mile hike through The Enchantments to Colchuck Lake. Let me tell you, when they say 9 miles, they mean 9 miles.

After a grueling 4 hours of hiking back out, my Apple Watch dying, and running out of water, I was hungry for more. Up next, Mount Rainier National Park.

I spent 1.5 days in Mount Rainier, full details here.

After Mount Rainier, I spent 2 days in Olympic National Park with a few extra unplanned hours due to unforeseen circumstances. No spoiler alerts here, but read the full details about my time in Olympic National Park here!

I was ready to call it quits and start heading back home when I scored big on a huge opportunity – a Glacier National Park Vehicle Pass. Exhilarated and rejuvenated, I took the bait and spent 2 more days in Montana. Read the full details here.

I even met up with some friends in South Dakota on my way back home for a night of good stories, human interaction, and most importantly, sleep.

There are many things I learned throughout my time in the Pacific Northwest, but I will summarize them for you.

1. Life does not wait for anyone. 3 days before leaving, my Aunt passed away. I heavily considered canceling my trip, however I am glad I went. There were plenty of beautiful skies throughout that gave me comfort knowing she was finally at peace.
2. You will learn things about yourself that you never would have known before. As cliche as it is, I am a different person now than I was before I left. I do what I want, when I want, and I am confident and comfortable with myself. I have never felt more free than being alone for 10 days on my own schedule.
3. Your mental health and self-worth will thrive. I gave so much of my time to myself through journaling, photographing the breathtaking views I witnessed, and thinking that I feel much more at ease with life itself.
4. Music heals. May I suggest two of my favorites, Hozier & Zach Bryan, who coincidentally dropped new albums during my trip (linked for your listening pleasure). Having two brand-new albums to have on repeat definitely helped the drive go by faster, it’s fate right?
5. Bears are real. Not that I didn’t think they were real before, but I actually saw one so it’s officially confirmed.

I encourage everyone to take the trip, have the hard conversations, and stand up for what they believe in. I went on this trip at one of the lowest points in my life. I had no direction of where I wanted to go, I was trying to push myself to a future I did not want, and I relied heavily on what everyone thought of me. I can now say confidently that even though I have even less of a clue what I want to do in the future, I am content knowing everything will work out.