A Solo Retreat to Joshua Tree

I'd been running on empty for months. The kind of tired that sleep doesn't fix. My therapist suggested a solo trip, and I thought she was crazy. Travel alone? Where would I even go?

Choosing Joshua Tree

I wanted somewhere different. Not a beach (too social), not a city (too stimulating). The desert felt right—vast, quiet, stripped down to essentials.

The Dome

I found a geodesic dome through TrustYourHost. The host, Daniel, was a former architect who built it himself. When I messaged him about the property, he didn't just answer my questions—he asked about what I was hoping to experience.

"If you want true solitude," he wrote, "the dome is perfect. But if you want a bit of connection, join us for coffee on Saturday morning at our main house."

I did both.

What I Learned

Three days in the desert taught me:

• I'm better company for myself than I thought
• Silence isn't empty—it's full of things I'd been too busy to hear
• The right accommodation isn't just a place to sleep; it's part of the experience

Why Direct Booking Mattered

Daniel's personal touch—his coffee invitation, his star chart for night viewing, his book recommendations—none of that shows up on an OTA listing. Direct connection with hosts creates space for serendipity.

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