• Home
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Deals
  • Stats
  • Insiders
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Deals
  • Stats
  • Insiders

Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Sign Up

You are here: Home / How to Travel Alone / A Solo Point of View / The Meaning of Landscape: Road Trip Through the American Southwest

The Meaning of Landscape: Road Trip Through the American Southwest

June 12, 2013 by Janice Waugh

View from the trail head of one of my hikes.

Sedona with its stunning red buttes was my first destination on my trip.

I LOVE a road trip!

I love driving. I love moving from town to town, from city to countryside,  listening to local radio and seeing the landscape change along the way.

It was the same on my recent trip through Arizona. The stunning red mountains, buttes, mesas, canyons and cliffs, the gorgeous desert and tumbleweed (tumbleweed!) tumbling was all so novel for me, dramatic, stunning!. The landscape  was like nothing I had ever seen before.

But when I passed the Vermillion Cliffs and started to climb into the Kaibab Forest toward the north rim of the Grand Canyon, I found myself relaxing into the geography. I experienced an emotional response that ran through my body as the landscape changed to something more familiar to me. Being amongst the forest with Ponderosa Pine and Quaking Aspen was like going home after a long trip of fine food to a plate of macaroni and cheese.

It was “comfort landscape”.

Taken through the car windshield before Tuba

The painted desert in on my way to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

An even greater respect for those who change their landscape for good.

Cruise America helped me with this trip by supplying a small RV. It was just me, the open road and big-sky landscapes. When I felt my emotional response to the Kaibab Forest I wondered: what is it about a landscape? How much is the landscape of central Canada part of who I am. Can one change their landscape as easily as changing a city? Does one ultimately find a new landscape relaxing? How long does it take?

People who immigrate must face this issue. They travel to a new country, often with a very different landscape. But, unlike travelers, they may not have the opportunity to go home to the familiar. I have always admired people who take the brave decision to emigrate and this trip has made me even more so.

Highway 89A north before Vermillion cliffs

Highway 89A north before Vermillion cliffs.

P1110522

The Vermillion Cliffs in northern Arizona.

Colorado River at Marble Canyon

Colorado River at Marble Canyon on route to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

View of where I saw for my breakfast overslooking Roaring Springs Canyon 100 ft away from Grand Canyon

This is the view from where I sat for my breakfast overlooking Roaring Springs Canyon, 100 ft away from Grand Canyon

P1110577

At Zion National Park. Beautiful.

Zion National Park switchback

One of the hairpin turns at Zion National Park.

Looking back and switchback hwy 89A below Flagstaff

Regardless of how much I marveled at the desert, red buttes, mesas, canyons and cliffs, I still love a pine forest.

 

Last updated: 16th April, 2018

The Insiders

Our Solo Travel Course

Top Categories on Solo Traveler

Solo Female Travel

Road Trips

A Solo Point of View

All Articles

Destinations

Travel Money

Deals

Insiders on Patreon

Trips for Solo Travelers

Follow Us…

A Proud Member of…

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

RESULTS MAY VARY (The disclaimer.)

The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers. Please see our Privacy Policy here.

  • Solo Female Travel
  • Road Trips
  • A Solo Point of View |
  • All Articles
  • Destinations
  • Travel Money
  • Deals
  • Insiders on Patreon

Contact Us

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

Get Solo Travel News & Deals

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Deals
  • Solo Travel Statistics
  • Media & Speaking
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
  • Contact
RESULTS MAY VARY (THE DISCLAIMER)

The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLOSURE: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this site. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own. Please read our full Privacy Policy here.

Copyright © 2021 · Solo Traveler · Site By RTW Labs