Is One Lonely?

On the Venzaliner50 journey one of the most common questions is, “Do you get lonely?” My answer is always no, but I decided to delve in and explore a little further.  According to Wikipedia, loneliness occurs when emptiness and solitude are brought upon by the lack of social relationships.  And, according to Mother Teresa, the most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved. Well, maybe that’s it, there is never any time for emptiness on the Venzaliner50 as solitude brings time for reflection on the awe-inspiring sights; and thankfully, my life is nowhere near poverty and I do feel loved.  Therefore, I still answer no to loneliness as thankfully, I learned, “life begins on the other side of despair” (Jean-Paul Sartre).

After leaving Centennial, loneliness came to mind when I ventured over the Snowy Range Pass where the rock faces including the Medicine Bow Peak stared me in the face, and all I could think of was, who could be lonely with this view?

Snowy Range and Medicine Bow Peak

Then after continuing south on Highway 230 and venturing into the Six Mile Gap National Forest Campground, just above the North Platte River in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, I noted there was not a soul in sight; however, once again loneliness was overtaken by the solitude and beautiful rock formations just outside the Aliner’s door.

After a night’s rest, I ventured south over the Colorado border and a stop along the roadside to take in these spectacular views; again, I was reminded that loneliness is not a part of the Venzaliner50 journey because there is always something to take in whether people, places or things!

 

 

No, I’m not lonely on the Venzaliner50 journey as I enjoy the solitude, new sights and new people along the way. Besides, I have learned, “if you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company” (Jean-Paul Sartre). I must journey on…but I leave you with this thought…

“Remember: the time you feel lonely
is the time you most need to be by yourself;
life's cruelest irony.”
                                         ― Douglas Coupland