If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, but had to go alone, where would you go?
Someone texted me this question as I was eating lunch after school today, and I haven’t been able to come up with an answer for them yet. So, despite them never going to see this, here is my attempt at working towards an answer.
I feel when anyone is asked a question about if they could travel anywhere in the world, there are always a few common answers. People don’t hesitate to rattle off locations such as Hawaii, Italy, Australia, or more generally, Europe, or the tropics. While these all make great options, I was particularly taken aback by the “alone” part of the question. No family, no friends, no lovers or wives or husbands or significant others, could even so much as accompany you to the airport for your trip. Does this change where you would go? Does Hawaii lose its allure and romance when it can’t be shared with a spouse? Does touring Europe lose its excitement when it is not with family? Or does even a simple road trip seem burdensome if not enjoyed with friends? These are all questions that need to be considered when finally attempting to answer the question: where would you go alone and why?
Big Sky, Montana, is my answer to the question. I’m not sure how many of you know about it, or have even heard of it (I know I never had heard of it before I was fortunate enough to travel there. Maybe that new TV show “Big Sky” drew a lot of awareness to the place.) Regardless of if you have heard the name, Big Sky certainly isn’t anywhere close to as common an answer as Hawaii, Europe, or the Caribbean.
Now why would I choose this place to go to alone? The last time, and only time, that I visited was in early August of 2019 on summer vacation with my family. We were going around Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Park on the trip, and Big Sky was another location we spent a couple of nights in.
While a majority of Big Sky revolves around Big Sky Resort, the largest ski resort in the country. While there was no skiing in early August, I went white water rafting on the Gallatin River, horseback riding up the foothills of the ski 
mountain (say hi to Moose) , and hiking the surrounding area. To many of you, there might be no attraction to any of these outdoor activities. You may be a “relaxer” type of vacationer, rather than a “do-er”.
Personally, the beauty of Big Sky, Montana, lies in both. I could stay in a cabin halfway up the mountain and ski right up to a chair lift, or I could sit inside and watch the snowfall next to a fireplace. I could go kayaking or white water rafting on the river, have a horse chauffeur me around a trail, or sit on a porch swing and stare at the (as the name suggests) big, blue sky.
As a very individualistic person, going to Big Sky alone is extremely appealing to me. Yes, I guarantee that part of the reason I enjoyed the trip there so much was due to the presence of my family, but I firmly believe that I could have the same enjoyable experience sitting in the mountains surrounded by no one familiar to me. I think it would be a great place for self-discovery, and a great place to connect with nature and the world around you, away from city smog or traffic or car lights. Just you and the stars. Doesn’t that sound nice?
There is just something about the place that makes me internally at peace. That sounds silly, but it truly is indescribable. Big Sky, Montana is my happy place, the place where I close my eyes and go to after a long day, or when I am just longing for some peace of mind and comfort. I still can envision the vast expanse of trees and mountains, see the deep blue of the sky, and still smell the crisp, dry mountain air. It’s safe to say everyone has their place where they most feel at home, and that is mine.