Sleeping in my subaru and watching the sun set over the tetons.

I woke up with a view of the Grand Tetons and crisp cold air on my face after falling asleep to the same view. Many hours were spent staring at those mountains…contemplating the day I will see myself standing at the top. My skill set and experience levels are not quite at the level of confidence to climb the Grand right now, but I dream about it frequently.

Those are very special mountains to me, symbolic in many ways. At some point, I have to stop staring at them and return to my normal life and other plans. Today I said a sweet “goodbye for now” to Grand Teton National Park and continued my solo journey through Idaho and Montana.

Through forests sprinkled with gold autumn leaves, over mountains, between fields of sagebrush, and into my own mind I travel.

Driving through desolate parts of the country for hours gave me this simultaneous feeling of isolation and connection.

I pass through the occasional town, but not many, and not very big ones. I notice little details that make them unique and beautiful. Part of me wants to stop, but I know that there is beauty in admiring these places from the road, never to experience them in a more intimate way. My imagination can play with the stories of what experiences were had at “The Spud drive-in” movie, or “Voted best BBQ in Idaho! (Yes it’s in a gas station.)”

I’m overwhelmed with the wildness and vastness that is the “between places” of America as I pass through multiple ecosystems and seasons.

Regardless of taking this journey by myself, these experiences make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.