How I Traveled Across America: SOLO!

If I had $5 for the number of social media travel groups that I’ve come across in the last 2-3 years, I’d have enough money for a plane ticket to actually take a trip.  Some of them have definitely served up plenty of travel inspiration, while others have seemed to merely become a breeding ground for flossing, vacation shaming, and post likes.  Having had the opportunity to meet a few of the premier Brown Girl travel bloggers has most certainly, provided me a perspective on travel that far exceeds the superficial idea of simply acquiring passport stamps full of basic experiences.

via GIPHY

There’s this one Thrillist Facebook post that I actually came across in January of 2016 that referenced how to travel America for a little over $213 via Amtrak.  I immediately shared the post with my travel Bae, with hopes of us embarking on this experience together.  Unfortunately, due to our collective travel schedules and life commitments, we just couldn’t pull it off.  Not only did thoughts of traveling cross country never leave my mind, I began fooling around with the idea of what that actual trip would look like and the possibility of taking the trip solo.

                      via GIPHY

Planning the Trip

Without even realizing it, (with the help of church sister/Amtrak employee), I had completed enough research to realize that I could actually pull this cross country solo trip thing off! This was the birth of  #BKxUSA  & #DopeChicksTakeSoloTrips

Now, about this Amtrak Rail Pass life……………..

Offered in three options (15 days, 30 days & 45 days), you can literally travel across the entire United States of America for as little as $459; coast to freggin coast!!!

Got Options?

Since I already visited the L.A. area in the past, my original plan was to fly to the Bay area, stay for a few days, and then take the train back home. No exaggeration, while on the phone with the Amtrak agent, was the exact moment that I asked myself: Why are you flying to California, what’s the rush?  It was at that very point when I became clear that this trip would be like no other.  I made a covenant with myself on a few things:

•  Thy shalt not over plan
• Thy shalt remain present for the full organic experience
• Thy shalt be okay with minimal things 
• Safety comes first
• Thy Shalt support Black Owned Businesses when/wherever I can

The only rule was, to make overnight stops in states that I had never been and otherwise had no reason to go.  While I didn’t to tons of research, I did invest in USA by Rail and sought out reads on the basics of long distance train travel prep.

Up until the point of this trip, my only experience with Airbnb had been in Cuba however; it was a good one.  Therefore; in accordance with my minimalist trip goals, Airbnb would be the way to go! Being clear of my trip expectations, I grilled my potential hosts on everything I felt I needed to know from proximity to Amtrak station, things to-do, and neighborhood safety vibe, in order to make my final selections, which came to a whopping total of: $328.80.

With just a few ideas of things to-do in mind at the point of embarking on my epic solo travel journey,  I had no solid itinerary.  This was the most non committal   plan-as-you-go type of situation, discovering some of the most intricat details of the U.S. that I could have never imagined.

Solo Travel #1 Perk

The added bonus of traveling solo is not having to negotiate sudden changes of plans or hell……not having any specific plans at all!  My “must-do” of  going on the Napa Wine Train tour, was highly anticipated…….well, that was up until I arrived to the Bay area after being on the train for 5 days and realized I had no interest whatsoever in doing a day-long train tour.  And just like that, I opted to rent a car in Oakland and visit Napa Valleys first and oldest Black owned wine estate, Brown Estate.  I committed to updates via Intagram and Facebook Live, to allow a glimpse into the raw un-edited experience while letting loved ones know I was safe.

We’re here!

I’m reminded that you are able to truly experience life the way intended, when you stretch beyond the basic limits of your comfort zone. I was able to discover and fall in love with life in a way that I never have by being completely open to the unknown of trip experience.

Spectacular Views

From the onset of 2017 my scripture life scripture has been 1 Corinthians 13:13.  Praying, reflecting and applying to the everyday ways of life with intention. 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Amtrak Travel

In short: 12 days, 6,794.2 miles later, the blessing and privilege of Faith.Hope.Love is How I Traveled Across America: SOLO!        Spread Love, It’s the BrooKlyn Kisha Way!

…….One last note

~Which was your favorite social media post from the trip ?

~Drop all of your questions in the comments section.

~Subscribe to be among the first get a close look inside my various trip stops.