Though I moved to a completely new city and state in 2014, I did not travel much, solo or otherwise. I have been busy exploring the areas and people around me in my new environment. Instead of making travel a New Year’s Resolution (I have never kept ANY of my New Year’s Resolutions past March), I made a promise to myself. I made a promise that I would reconnect with the bigger world around me by exploring by myself as much as my vacation days allow. Here are the five places where I want to do some solo traveling this year:

1. San Diego
The last time I went to the beach, I drove upwards of 18 straight hours to get to the beach on Tybee Island. I did more driving than I did laying on the beach getting sunburnt. I’ve been having dreams about digging my toes into the wet sand on the San Diego beach for a year now. I think it’s time I find out why it seems to be calling to me.

2. Utah
I have never been to Utah, but I have seen some pictures that radiate with the rusty reds and rich purples of the desert. I think it might be time for a tour of the southwest. This is one I’ll have to time when it’s not 300 degrees outside– my poor car can only take so much.

3.Yellow Stone National Park
I have a Couch Surfing friend who camped in Yellow Stone by herself. There, she met a gorgeous man with whom she started a beautiful love affair set in the sprawling expanse of Yellow Stone with Old Faithful geysing (not a real word) in the background. How magical is that?

4. Mesa Verde
I read about Mesa Verde State Park in Colorado in a travel blogger’s post. Until then, rock formations didn’t really excite me. But the more I read about it, the more fascinated I became. 600 cliff dwellings of the Pueblo from almost one thousand years ago: how could I not be interested in that? There are several guided hikes you can take for all experience levels. I just need to purchase a pair of reliable hiking shoes, and I’m set.

5. The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon because duh, it’s only one of the most touristey sites in America. I met a young woman from France while I was staying with a friend in Seattle, and the only places she’d been in America were Seattle and the Grand Canyon. I’ve lived in the U.S. of A my entire life, and she had beat me to seeing the Grand Canyon. That’s when I knew I should probably see that while I’m living in this region.