How do you Decide Where to Go?
You’re about to set out, or maybe you’re already on the road, but just can’t decide what to do next. Where to? What is close enough by to make a day trip, while also having a long distance goal to move towards? How do you choose?
Let’s talk about it!
First thing is first, do you have signal? Wifi? That will be important, however you can work on your list of dream locations at any time! Think about all of those posts on Instagram or Facebook of people in beautiful places, look at the tags, where are they? Put them on the list! I always have a running checklist of places I plan to visit, along with the places I have visited! It feels great to put something on a list that feels like a distant goal, only to eventually find yourself in that exact location! But if you are spending a day at a cafe or around some signal, here are a few ways to explore the area around you!
Open up google maps! Instead of just looking up hikes or monuments around you, consider what kinds of things you want to see! Do you really like slot canyons? What about waterfalls and hot springs? Would you prefer to sit on a lake with your kayak and fish for a while, or bring your paraglider and relax near some cliffs? Look these activities up instead! When people leave reviews, they tend to mention what they did there! Plus, looking up specific features instead of a vague idea like “trails” you will find information more suited to what you want to do!
Next! Open up Google Earth! Do the same thing! Search for specific features instead of just trails! Google Earth will provide some more remote locations, some without trails to them! These adventures are more for the explorers who want to see somewhere people don’t frequent. Google Earth, while versatile, can be misleading at times because of its lack of timely information. The images are updated infrequently, however many of the locations that can be found on there are difficult to find anywhere else!
Alrighty! Now that you have a few ideas in the surrounding area, it’s time to expand your search! Find some places that are easier to get to, along with one or two a bit far away to have as your goal! Then just take your time and explore as you wish! With an outline of places to visit and things to do, it will allow you some space to breathe and see more than you may normally!
While exploring the locations you found, should you find any other people there, speak to them! They have likely done just as much research as you have, but potentially found different answers! I have heard of some of my favorite places I’ve ever been by speaking to locals and other travelers! From swimming holes that don’t show up on a map, to lost waterfalls and ruins that would normally require a geographical map and a knowledge of the history of the area to find!
Now, what if you don’t want to do any of that? What if you don’t have the time to sit at a coffeeshop or just don’t want to make a list? Well, that’s okay too! Fill up your tank with gas, pick up some extra food and water and wander into the wilderness! The saying “All roads lead to Rome” is still pretty true to this day. Almost all roads will eventually lead to civilization, just keep going! Along the way, don’t be afraid to stop anywhere that calls your interest! Stop the car and get out, bring a trekking pole, place a gps pin where you park, and go for a hike! For me, this method usually provides some of the best results. I see and visit places nobody has touched in years, and end up on some wild adventures along the way!