As ideas go it's very dumb. Think about all the bad things that could happen, and keep them in mind as you go. Remember you're being selfish and there are people who care if you come back or not. Your worst enemy is stupidity, followed closely by the wind. Your only friend, caution. Your only assistance, yourself. The risks should not be taken lightly.

The only thing that makes it worth the risk, the work, the pain, the fear... is that the rewards can, when you're lucky, be tremendous. The more people I travel with, the longer it takes me to really "get into" a trip. Depending on the people, it can sometimes take me as long as a week. Sometimes it never happens. Those "never happen" trips are enjoyable, but in a way, just a lot of hard work to spend time with friends. When I'm alone I can get my mind "right" in a day. Just the fact that you would consider a solo trip, makes me think you may know what I'm talking about. There is nothing like being in the "zone".

Mother nature has her different ways of slamming home the idea of what a truly insignificant speck you, as an individual, are in her master plan... You will also be reminded of what an essential cog you are in the lives you touch. Everyone should be fortunate enough to have that experience at least once in their lives. You will be forever changed.

When you're alone you're abnormally quiet. You definitely see, and as you will probably notice, meet more wildlife. As you lie on a rock looking at the stars, contemplating your existence, it’s hard to totally relax like you would with friends around. You think about how truly alone you are. You think about how silent bears and moose are as they move through the forest. You sit up, look around, and study every bear sized black area to see if it moves. Surrendering to the fact that you couldn't see one in the dark anyway, you lie back down and think about how inconspicuous you are... just lying there... not talking... motionless... alone. You start wondering if some preoccupied large mammal would even notice you before it's too late. Then a mouse climbs over your leg... :-)

Enjoy the Northern Lights.

Posted by db on October 23, 1999 at 14:53