So, did I learn from my solo road trip mistakes? A little. I took another solo-ish trip a few months later, and I definitely took a different approach. Which brings me to...

Colorado 2-- a trip that was a solo trip for a second, and that also involved lots of Utah

(I'm working on a catchier name.)

I started my journey once again on a Wednesday after work. This time around, the commute was a hair shorter-- about 20 minutes to the airport, where Frank dropped me off so I could avoid paying to park my car. Then, just a quick couple hours of blind terror miles above the ground.

Flying is not my favorite. I hadn't done it in about a decade, either, so I'd actually forgotten how much I hate it. I had the window seat, and the business traveler stuck in the middle seat next to me really seemed thrilled that I kept grabbing his armrest and interrupting his work. I did find that controlling the window helped, though-- I could look when I felt brave, and close the blinds when I didn't.

When I arrived in Denver, my original plan had been to use public transportation to get to my hostel downtown. I realized, however, that it was getting late and dark. I had my purse, a carry-on backpack, and a suitcase. And I don't know my way around Denver, at all. I also had just received an email from Lyft offering me $30 off my first ride. Sold!

I downloaded the app and requested a driver. Within 10 minutes, he arrived and we were off. I'd only used Uber in the past, and even then it was with a group of people and someone else handled it. I was basically new to the concept, and pleasantly surprised. My driver chatted with me the whole way about Denver, being a Lyft driver, and life in general. When it turned out he'd punched the wrong address in his GPS, he quickly took me to the correct location.

I stayed at the 11th Avenue Hotel and Hostel (Insert Link). I reserved a private room with my own bathroom-- I was paranoid about my stuff getting stolen, and I like long showers. It was worth the splurge, and still came out to under $50 for a room right smack in downtown Denver. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

Once I arrived in my room, I read for a bit and passed out.