Ridin' Solo

Ahhh. . . .vacations. We live and work for them, dream and plan ahead for them, save and splurge for them. Then we get there and what happens? We usually have fun, of course. But there are also the whining children. Come on, you all have one in your family who has to puke just before you leave. There is the waiting around for the slow one, choosing restaurants for the picky one, and skipping indulgences for the frugal one. There are the petty husband and wife arguments that occur when you spend a whole week together without the pleasure of escape to the work day. And if you don't plan well, there is one bathroom for you all to share.

A dream come true, right? Uh-huh. I learned a valuable lesson a few years ago when I vacationed with my high school besties in Arizona where one of them got married. (Dare I mention that it rained the whole week. . . . .in the desert?) It was on that vacation when I learned how much fun it can be to travel with friends. There was no worry about bed times or potties or who needed sun screen. I suddenly remembered fondly a time when I only had to be responsible for myself. But we still had to share a bathroom. Since then I've had lots of good travel memories with friends in New York, Portland, and even the close-to-home getaways like Lake Geneva, the Dells, and Milwaukee. Who can forget the sister vacation to D.C.?

But I have discovered something new. Not necessarily better, but different in a very good way. The Solo Vacation. That's right, girls, vacationing by yourself. At first, it doesn't really sound fun, I know. Who will you chat endlessly with, share a bottle of wine with, and shop with? Those really are the cornerstones of the greatest girlfriend vacations. And the answer is simple. No one. And here is the best part. You will love it. You know why? BECAUSE YOU GET TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!!!

This week, I had the pleasure of traveling to Boston for a conference. (I am obligated here to thank my employer, Winnebago County, for this opportunity in very tough economical times. I promise I will pay you back tenfold with the vast knowledge I gained from very highly educated instructors this weekend.) When I made the arrangements, I decided to pick up the tab for two extra days and it has been worth every penny. I got here Thursday and am leaving tomorrow and I believe I've seen the entire city on foot. Just to scratch the surface, I have been to Harvard, Fenway, all of the Freedom Trail historical sites, up and down Newbury and Charles Streets a hundred times, Boston Common, the library, and the jogging path along the Charles River.

One thing to point out and I believe this deserves its own paragraph. I must begin with a disclaimer that I am totally devoted to my husband and family and the next few sentences in no way should lead you to doubt that. But as a woman who knows how women talk, I must make a comment about men in Boston. There seems to be two types. There are the stereotypical, stocky, perhaps chubby men with scruffy faces who love the Red Sox and say things like "Fah-get a-baht it." (Translation "forget about it".) Then, there are the really hot men. Really hot. And they all seem to be gay. Which makes me think that the gay men here are very fortunate because they seem to have a large pool from which to choose a potential partner.

Moving on. In order to embark on a solo vacation, here are some things that I recommend. Do some research. Buy a cheesy tourist book and map that will get you through your destination. I have found these books well worth the 15 bucks. You will get good tips for using public transportation, saving a few bucks, and avoiding bad restaurants or overrated attractions, allowing you to devote all your time to only the coolest things.

Recommendation number two. Do your best to appear like a local. Why? Because it's fun to pretend, that's why. Here's how you do it. Walk fast and look mostly annoyed, charging into traffic against the lights. I have gotten so good at this that tourists have stopped me on the street to ask for directions. Of course at the famous tour destinations, this act loses it's luster and you fit in with the rest of them, ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over the main attraction, and that's fun too.

Finally, and most importantly, you must let go of any and all anxiety you have about doing things alone. Trust me, no one in the restaurants thinks it's weird that you are sitting by yourself. This is how it all ties together, you see. I have written this blog for over a year, trying to express how being fit has changed my life and hoping that some of my experience can inspire you on a journey of your own. It's not just about the exercise or eating right or the joy of fitting into smaller clothes. It is about the confidence gained through doing all of those things. It is about the freedom of finally being so comfortable with yourself that you can sit in a major league baseball park all alone and not really care if anyone else thinks it's weird.

We spend so much time, especially those of us who live in small towns, worrying about fitting in and almost forcing ourselves to conform to unspoken rules in order to avoid looking like an outcast. I have learned that part of the joy of visiting a large city is the ability to experience individuality in a way we don't have access to at home. I would never have felt this kind of freedom without my solo vacation.

I know you may not have the money or the time. I realize that your work and your family need you. But I dare you to start thinking, planning, saving, whatever it takes. Where would you go? What do you want to see? What scares you the most about doing it alone? At some point, go for it.

Did I forget to mention the best part? You won't have to share a bathroom.

I'll see you when I get back to reality,
Brooke