I Decided to Be a Tourist for a Day, and It Felt Like Self-Care

Sometimes, you just need to indulge.

I was feeling burnt out as a digital nomad, so I decided to be a tourist for once. No shame. I had a solo day in Idaho Springs, CO, where I drank in bars, ate pizza, and went wherever the wind took me.

“But Natalie,” you might be thinking, “you’re a solo traveler. Isn’t every day a solo day?”

No. Let me explain.

Solo Travel vs. Solo Days

I know, I’m a solo traveler. But I don’t always have solo days. Most of my days are spent working, then running errands or going to the gym at night. Cooking dinner. Doing other mundane things that are no different than living alone without the travel.

Sometimes I go on evening or weekend hikes, but that’s different. Hiking is relaxing, but it’s also work. It’s not rest.

So I decided to have an indulgent solo day where I really felt like a tourist. My day was spent in Idaho Springs, CO, a fabulous little mountain town that reminds me of Estes Park, but without the huge crowds. It was just the right setting.

My Solo Day in Idaho Springs

I started the day off at the bright and early hour of 12 p.m. I’d walked with Elgie earlier, but decided to sleep some more before venturing out.

My first stop was The Frothy Cup, a cute coffee shop where I had a latte and a delicious maple danish.

Then I went into some shops. Tourist shops. I usually skip those–I’ve seen enough souvenir shops to last a lifetime, and I’m much more of an online shopper–but this time, I went into several. I bought gifts for others and some little things for myself. Bath salts included.

There’s a thrift store called Mountain Exchange, where I found a Columbia fleece in a gorgeous spring green color for 20 bucks.

The fleece in action in Albuquerque, NM

Then I went into another store where I got pants with Bigfoot on them.

Then the real fun began. I went to the mead shop, where a really nice man let me sample the meads. I paused and really took them in. Then I bought a glass of my favorite, sat down, and savored it.

Next stop was the cidery, where I dropped and broke one of the glass things I’d bought at a tourist shop! I lamented to the bartender and he gave me a free cider. Say whaaat?

I wouldn’t do that at home, but as a tourist, different story. As a tourist, I get to play characters. No one knows me. And tourist me felt like pouring my heart out to the bartender.

I asked him if he thought the shop would take pity on me and he said no. “They don’t tip when they come in here.”

Talk about spilling the Idaho Springs tea.

With a little liquid courage, I went back to the shop anyway, and they gave me 30 percent off a new one. Hey, that’s something.

Next, I went to Tommyknockers Brewery, where I had a beer and browsed on my phone. This is typical of me if I go to a bar alone.

Next, I knew I had to try Beaujo’s Pizza. I got the Italian and had a couple of slices.

Downtown Idaho Springs near the end of my self-care day

Then, I went to Indian Hot Springs. They have a pool and geothermal caves. I opted for the caves, and man, I am a hot springs wimp. I still loved it, but I had to keep getting out for water breaks.

Then at about 11 p.m., I ate more pizza and drank more beer. 

I forgot to take a picture of the pizza, so this will have to do.

That was it. No productivity or guilt. Just wandering and letting myself go where the day took me, and that felt like self care.