A photo essay on the Grand Canyon that shows the various sites I saw throughout my solo trip of the southern edge.

By Angel Gomez

Recently I took a solo trip to the Grand Canyon. I went because I always wanted to see it before my 20th birthday. I'm not sure where this idea originated from, but once it entered my mind, I was set on going.

It was the most freeing experience of my life and one of the most frightening. I had gone alone with no real plan in mind. I simply bought a ticket and boarded the train.

I came close to canceling the trip as the days approached. I had never been on a solo trip before, especially one as far and long as this. As I waited at the train station. I was so scared but excited.

I didn't even know where I was going to stay. I bought a tent online hoping it would show up in time for my trip. Thankfully, it did and I was going to be camping for the first time, which was a challenge itself.

Throughout the trip, I had learned a lot about myself and what I was capable of. Solitude, as freeing as it was, was also lonely.