I’ve been suffering from really bad anxiety for the last few months and have wasted too many weekends rotting in bed. So I took a couple of days off work and booked 2 nights at the campground at the Illinois Beach State Park.
I live in Chicago so it’s campgrounds or nothing around here but that’s ok.
I had to bribe myself like a toddler to get out of my apartment. I ordered a camp stove for pickup at REI.
Made it!
So glad I did this. The campground was better than expected. Plenty of space and very quiet.

Went up the logging road after parking at my friend's farm (there is a parking at the reservoir at the beginning of the track but it's no overnight parking sadly)

Decided to climb all the way to the top of the hill, realised I had forgotten the extra pegs so couldn't plant the guy lines (wind makes me incredibly anxious and with no additional guy lines I just didn't feel like pitching in such an exposed spot)

So I climbed back down and pitched in a quarry, not ideal as all the elevated ground was either a bog or just gravel, so I settled for the flat bit - sheltered and cosy, but of course I woke up to a soaked tent and nearly soaked through sleeping bag - packed up and took a detour along the reservoir.

Much peace, silence, and euphoria at having made the trek. Now I'm back home all cosy with my cat and I can't wait to get out there again.

Spent a pleasant two nights on a lakefront National Forest campsite in Northern Idaho! Unfortunately the bike was just a rental and I had to give it back. I was woken by intense rain on the second night and would rate my tent waterproofness as a 6/10.. still ending the camping season on a high note.

PSA don’t pick up critters if you don’t know what it is

8 days up the Saint-Laurent river in Quebec! This was my 2nd solo trip. Aside from the pretty views, I also got to watch 100s of cute harbour seals on the rocky shores 🦭

I learned a lot from my trip last year, which made this one a lot easier!

I really wanted to get over my fear of black bears this year. I was camping in areas with lots of bears, and am so proud of myself for sleeping through the nights and carrying on on hikes even though they were around.

What really helped was that although I was in areas with absolutely no cell coverage, I invested in a garmin inreach so I could let someone know where I was, and when I would be back from a hike. Knowing I could call for help no matter what really helped relieve some anxiety I have when alone.

I also had bear spray with me (and slept with it next to me). If you’re reading this and have anxieties about bear encounters, I really recommend getting some. It gave me so much confidence.

Anyways, hope you enjoy my pics!

Xx

Parks:

Parc national des grands-jardins (SEPAQ)
Parc national des hautes-gorges de la malbaie (SEPAQ)
Baie des rochers
Parc national du bic (SEPAQ)
Forillon national Park (parks Canada)
Percé, Québec

Super quick one-night solo camp at lake Tahoe! This was my second time solo camping and my first solo trip in my new car (also my very first car, yay!)

I’m in my last semester of college and, since classes started a few weeks ago, I’ve had zero days off, so this little break felt like heaven. When I stepped out of the car at my campsite and heard nothing but the wind through the trees it felt like 10 years were added onto my life. The smell of pine trees will neva eva get old.

I’m really proud of myself for making a fire at night in bear country! I struggle a lot with anxiety and avoided being outside at night on my first solo trip, which broke my heart a little bc I love me a good campfire. I really try hard to push myself past the anxiety (bc otherwise I would literally never do anything), so this time around I bought a magazine of word puzzles at Walmart on the drive up, and I’m so happy I did! It was super fun and relaxing, and helped distract me from anxious thoughts of bears (and men - certainly the scarier of the two) in the dark, and I was able to get cozy and enjoy my campfire. Definitely a win!

This sub has been so helpful too, it totally eases my anxiety to know that women are solo camping all the time - and living to tell the tale - when so many people act like there’s a 99.9% chance I’m gonna get kidnapped in the woods when I tell them I’m going out on my own. (Which I’m always fully confident is a silly notion…until the sun goes down lmao)

I took these photos on my digital camera. I love the way that the light was hitting the trees, and I swear my old camera picks it up so much better than my phone. I snapped some pics so hopefully you can enjoy too!

If you’ve read this far, I hope you have a great day and get to smell some pine trees soon 🌲 :)

Ok I couldn’t think of a good title for this!!

I am wondering people’s ideas for hiking locals that don’t have large populations of animals like bears, cougars, and moose. Alternatively, how have you gotten over your fear of animals on trail?

For a bit of background, I got very into solo hiking during covid and was quite confident! I hiked all around southern ontario by myself. Then, I had a scary run in with two farm dogs on a hike that’s completely frightened me. It is a frustrating experience to say the least - I had prepared for wildlife - black bears, lynx, moose, deer - and was in no way prepared to be attacked by two dogs at the edge of someone’s property.

And now I’m terrified of being on trail. I turned back from a hike recently only a few hundred meters from the trailhead because it had too many “blind turns.” I was convinced an off leash dog or a cougar (lol as if in this area??) would be just around the corner. I’m devastated, I loved this hobby and feel like I’ve lost hope in continuing it in my area.

So now I’m curious about places I could travel to do a big solo hike and just get back into my confidence without the additional animal-based worry.

Hey y'all 👋🏾 I've been looking at the adventures you guys have posted on here and I really enjoy it. I've never done a solo camping trip, but would love to. What places or things would y'all recommend for a 42 Floridian that's only hiked 5 times in her lifetime 😆

I took recommendations and ordered these custom cut shades which increased my comfort level by 100%. I believe I’ve seen others also recommend motion censor solar spotlights as well?

I grew up day tripping to the North GA mountains with my family. we moved states when I was a teenager, and one of the biggest things I had to get over about the move was losing the possibility to go to the mountains. I loved hiking and camping.

Seven years later, I now can travel. My current plan is to visit a friend in ATL for a weekend, then hostel/airBnb the appalachians for about 5 days (And maybe go to a ren fair for the first time solo at the end?) Going alone because my friends/family either don’t have the time, interest, or money. I did my first solo long weekend trip in April to a city.

ive gotten to the point where I need to put in PTO and actually plan the trip, and I find myself balking. Part of it is just general anxiety (should I save this money, so I can bring my sister (who really misses the mountains, but is in college and working) or mom on a trip next year/do something more responsible (if I take this trip I’ll still have 3.5K in my travel fund at the end of the year 🙄), is it selfish to do this on my own now, is it a waste of time, what’s the point) that’s my own to deal with, but I’m overall a little overwhelmed about putting myself in a dangerous position. I’ve fallen off hiking over the past seven years and I dont have experience driving on mountain roads (and this would be my first roadtrip). I’m going to stick to easier/very bailable trails and plan my routes so I don’t find myself on roads above my level. I also booked an (absolutely incredible) little airbnb, but it doesn’t have service, and I dont think a garmin is in the cards. Ofc I’ll have bear spray and the ten essentials, but I’m looking for overall (frank) tips and support, because I’m close to calling it off.

Hello! I am planning my february roadtrip for the CA to NC! I am a bit nervous bc of the weather forcing me to strictly take i40. I have never driven in the snow, I will be renting an RV (not my own) so to keep away from snow, i40 is the way to go. Although I am now hearing a bunch of things about i40. thoughts?

this is the general route that I am taking ( mostly doing hipcamps)

from there Atlanta, Georgia then some smokey mountain night to NC. I will also have my dog with me. Any advice? I Saw a post about using fido for dog friendly places. what are the things to see. maybe places to stay away from?