I flew two times with one of my parents before I first flew on my own. It was in my middle to late teens. I remember my parents being able to come to the gate with me, just to make sure that I was alright. I don’t remember being afraid. In my mind, I was just going to see my grandparents in their new home. They had bought one of those retirement single wide mobile homes a couple years prior. Grandpa has tirelessly spent the next two or three years building an addition onto it which was a very spacious room. It was to be my room, as I was their only grandchild. They only lived their part time those first handful of years, coming back up to Minnesota in the summer and especially during Christmas. So naturally when it was done, it was time to visit.

This room would become my room at grandma and grandpa’s for over a dozen years. The first time I was there it was a week, after school had gotten out, in the beginning of June. Not the most advisable time to go to southern Arizona, but hey, they had air conditioning. I went to their place at least once a year (minus just a spare few years where I wasn’t in the country, or when I got married) until my grandma passed away, the last one to live in that house.

Southern Arizona isn’t known for loads of things to do, but we certainly did make the best of it. Again, the plane ride itself wasn’t too long. A little longer than the first one to Colorado, just about three hours this time instead of two. I didn’t notice too much of a difference, it was only my second time on a plane, and still relatively a new and exciting experience. I remember that first time, getting off a plane all by myself, and having grandma and grandpa hovering right next to the arrivals. They would continue to pick me up from the airport for years, until grandpa was no longer able to drive it. Those last 5-10 years I took over and started renting cars and making the journey down. Sky Harbor Airport became the first airport I was incredibly familiar and comfortable with after MSP. The car rental there is incredibly easy, just a quick shuttle ride away. The signs for the shuttle are all clearly marked. Getting in and out of the car rental place is also very easy. It’s the easiest place I’ve ever rented a car from for sure.

I never really explored Phoenix except the first or second time when we went to one of the shopping malls and did some fun stuff. I still have that build a bear my grandma suggested would be fun to do. It’s definitely a nice keepsake since they are now both gone. But those first five years I went down we made the best of it. When I started going over spring break instead of the summer (this only took one time to know that’s the better plan), I found out that they had a Renaissance Festival held in Gold Canyon. It usually timed up perfectly with when I’d have spring break, so we’d go for a full day. It wasn’t necessarily my grandparents thing, but they supported what I wanted to do and were happy to go with me. It’s a really great Ren Fest though, held through all of February and March, if you’re ever in the general vicinity I’d check it out.

There was another time, the year before you needed passports to get into Mexico that we drove to the border through California. We crossed over into the small border town and walked around for a few hours. I don’t think we bought much, but it was still interesting. Grandpa of course made some ridiculous jokes about the pushy vendors trying to get you to buy their stuff.

When it became just grandma and I, it became road trips and we drove to Lake Havasu, home of the original London Bridge. Some rich guy bought it and had it brought over and then constructed there. So of course we had to go check it out. We also went to Laughlin, which my grandma always liked going to with grandpa and checking out the casinos. Typical old people behavior. We did get to go to one of Guy Fieri’s restaurants that was in the casino we stayed at, so that was cool. We had a failed road trip to New Mexico, but we were still good sports about it. I’d also wander a little bit by myself when I could, once grandma became more homebound.

I did manage to get up to the Grand Canyon, once, and I would definitely like to go back. Thanksgiving time is not the best time to go up there, as it was really cold. But it was definitely an eye opening experience. The canyon itself looks like its not weird, a total trick on your eyes! Late spring seems like a good time to go when things have warmed up, but not that full summer heat.

Arizona was also the first time I ever had In-N-Out, it became a traditional later on, as we did have it with grandpa once before he passed. It then carried on with grandma and I. Grandma was a picky eater, but she wouldn’t say no to a burger and fries. So it became a staple when I’d come down.

I’ve been there in pretty much every season, June, February, November, and many more months, probably almost all of them actually. It became a second home, and when I last saw it for the last time, it was like closing a large chapter of my life. We did so much there, and the time truly flew by. Sometimes I’d manage to be there for a week, and other times just a three or four day weekend. We’d watch movies, play card games, and always talk. It was a place I always felt comfortable traveling to solo. Most of the time it was just me, and only years later sometimes someone would come with me.

If you’re afraid of traveling alone, I do have some tips that will hopefully help. Firstly, tell someone where you’re going. Your mom or dad, brother or sister, a best friend. Whoever you feel comfortable with. If you’re nervous, and they know that, just message them while you’re waiting to board. I’m sure they can spare a few minutes to chat and help calm you down. It doesn’t hurt to give someone trusted your flight number, they might be able to see if you have any delays or if you’re right on time. Pick a direct flight if possible. That will help lessen your anxiety. If you have to make changes and you’re worried about making a layover, that’s not a good state of mind on your first solo trip. Another suggestion, pick somewhere that isn’t super far away. A 2-3 hour plane ride is much more manageable than six to eight hour one across the country or over the ocean. Its the perfect length to watch a movie that looks interesting, read a couple chapters of a book you’ve been meaning to make time for, or if its an early or late flight, get a bit of a nap in. You’re also not going to run into the problem of getting hungry most likely. You’ll be given a snack and a drink, and usually you can plan it well enough that you have lunch before or whatever time of day it happens to be and the appropriate meal. Remember that the plane ride is only the means to get where you are going. I know there’s been some weird stuff going on lately, but in general plane travel is the safest means of travel. With the things that have cropped up, its making airlines even more diligent in fixing things, and securing safe flights. You’ll be okay. Once you’re in the air, kick back and relax, you don’t have to do anything for the next couple of hours. It’s time to yourself, and make the most of it. Remember you’re going on a trip somewhere, more than likely somewhere new. Do some research before hand and plan fun things to do. You can think about those things as you’re flying to your destination. Time will melt away when you’re excited and thinking about all those things you’re going to do. Soon enough they’ll be preparing to land and you’ll wonder where the last two hours have gone.

At least two-thirds of my travels have been solo journeys. It becomes a routine that you create. It takes time, but all you have is time when it comes to those kinds of thing. You don’t need to rush, it takes a few times to get the hang of it, and that’s totally okay. One other thing, pay the little extra to chose your seat, middle seats suck and we all know it. Window is my personal favorite, but an aisle seat is much preferred over a middle seat. You’re going to thank yourself for spending the extra twenty dollars to have a window or aisle, trust me. I’ve been crammed in a middle seat, and there’s that one person next to you, who doesn’t give up the arm rest, and it makes the journey a little more annoying.

That’s all I have for now. We are getting to the point of taking that big leap and moving from national to international travel. So stay tuned, and see you all next time!

Jess

(featured below is the room grandpa built for all my stays there)