People, people, everywhere

It can be frustrating when traveling to encounter crowds.  On our recent travels to California, it was almost impossible to enjoy the San Diego Zoo due to the intense crowds of holiday-goers, many of whom would push right in front of you to get a better view.  On this trip, I was expecting much the same and that has been born out - at Bryce Point, this morning, for example, we were followed by 3-4 busloads of Japanese tourists to watch the sunset.  We were lucky that we got up before our alarm and headed over there as A got up to the viewpoint just before the hoards.  

I've also been surprised and delighted by both the places we have found solitude and the people we've connected with.  I have to remind myself that though crowds are just awful, they are made of people, who can be pretty great.  It's been interesting, because A and I can both be a little shy, but there is a real sense of camaraderie on the road.  Since we started traveling in Moby, we (particularly me) have been delighted to wave at other VW bus drivers, but we've gotten waves from other camper vans, RVs and even just a random car driver at a particularly lonely portion of the loneliest highway.  

There are all sorts of other little connections - other people on the same trail, other people with camera equipment, other people enjoying the same view.  There is a fairly instantaneous sense of connection, even without words.  We even ran into someone in Escalante that A had met before!  A friend of a friend that he vaguely remembered, but who recognized him quickly.  And of course, sharing the car and the trail with our guide Shawn and our fellow hikers, Randy and David, for 8 hours gave us a good sense of bon amie.  

Last night, we ran into a few other nice couples at Inspiration Point in Bryce Canyon.  One couple, from the east coast, were traveling the opposite route from us and gave us some tips for getting around a road that is out and we in turn recommended some activities in Escalante for them.  They were very nice and just sharing a smile as we walked up to the viewpoint started that feeling of camaraderie.  There were only 8 of us on that particular high viewpoint at sunset and it was more fun to be friendly and share the experience.  The other couple was pretty quiet but occassionally popped a comment in and when we all got the parking lot, said, "See you tomorrow morning at Bryce Point?"  Though few words were exchanged, they had felt it too.  

The last  couple has been traveling for 2 years both internationally and now in the US for this year by Airstream.  When we mentioned that we were touring the National Parks, Dean said, "How long are you going?  There's no way you'll see them all - we've been doing it for a year and still haven't seen them all."  

That got us swapping stories and plans.  It was delightful to meet them and really played up the importance of the choices we make: they didn't seem to be independently wealthy and were working at the Lodge at the Canyon for the season to allow them to check out southern Utah - there is nothing lucky or special that allowed them to do that - they just decided to do it.  They sold their house and made travel and adventure a priority.  

It's still early days in our travels and I'd prefer to have more consistent access to a shower, but other than that I can see the appeal.