Evolve: The Transformative Power of Travel
The Badlands can feel otherworldly - even straight out of Dr. Seuss book in my opinion in just the right lighting.
Travel changes you.
Sometimes in small ways—a new favorite food, a phrase in another language, a fresh perspective on a familiar place. Other times, it cracks you open and rearranges you entirely, shifting the way you see the world—and yourself—forever.
I didn’t fully understand this until my first solo road trip across the U.S.. At the time, I thought I was escaping. I had just come out of a breakup, and putting thousands of miles between me and my old life felt like the only thing that made sense. But somewhere along the way—in the vast emptiness of the Badlands—I realized I wasn’t running away.
I was on a journey home—though it would take many more miles, many more moments of awe and surrender, before I fully understood what that meant.
A Mountaintop Moment in the Badlands
If you’ve never been to Badlands National Park, it feels otherworldly. Jagged rock formations stretch for miles, their sharp edges shaped by time and wind. The land is harsh, unforgiving, and yet—somehow—breathtaking.
The Lakota people called this place "Mako Sica," meaning bad lands, because of its rugged terrain and extreme conditions. Early French fur traders later gave it the same name, noting its lack of water and difficult navigation. I had always assumed that a place called the "Badlands" would be barren, lifeless.
But when I arrived, I saw so much life. Prairie grasses pushing through rocky soil. Bighorn sheep moving along the cliffs. The sky stretching endlessly above it all.
I climbed to a mountaintop overlook, expecting just another beautiful view, but what I found was something far deeper. There, standing alone with the wind whipping around me, I felt something shift inside.
I had started this road trip feeling broken, unwanted, uncertain. But in that moment, surrounded by a landscape that had endured centuries of erosion, storms, and harsh conditions, I saw resilience.
And I realized—I was not abandoned. I was not unseen.
God was whispering, My daughter, there is beauty in the pain too. I am working all things for good.
The Badlands weren’t empty. They were teeming with life, even in the hardest conditions. And so was I.
I had come to this place looking for escape, but I left with something far greater—a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, even in the wilderness of life, God’s hand is at work.
That’s what travel does. It stretches you, surprises you, reveals things you might have forgotten about yourself. Sometimes, it even heals you.
Meandering the various loop trails and overlooks within the Badlands. I wasn’t fully prepared for how much this park would change me. And every time I go back, there is always more to discover - about the park and myself!
The Power of Travel to Transform
Not every trip will have a “mountaintop moment” like that one. But every journey—big or small—has the power to shape you.
Positive psychology research supports this, showing that new experiences help rewire our brains, making us more adaptable, open-minded, and resilient. When we travel, we’re exposed to new sights, challenges, and ways of thinking, all of which contribute to personal growth. (Read more)
Travel has a way of:
Teaching us resilience when things don’t go as planned
Encouraging curiosity as we step into the unfamiliar
Increasing gratitude as we witness beauty in unexpected places
Helping us see that our struggles do not define us—just as the Badlands are more than their name
It’s not just about seeing new places—it’s about discovering new parts of ourselves along the way.
How Wellspring Travels Helps You Evolve
At Wellspring Travels, the heart of “Evolve” is about helping travelers embrace the transformational power of travel—not just as a vacation, but as an experience that shapes them.
Here’s how we’re making that happen:
Reflective Travel Guides – We provide thought-provoking questions and journal prompts to help travelers process their experiences, because travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about what you take away from it.
Faith-Based Travel Insights – Looking for God in the journey? We share stories, reflections, and devotionals to help connect travel and faith.
Growth-Focused Travel Resources – Whether it’s solo travel, cultural immersion, or stepping beyond your comfort zone, we create content designed to help you travel with intention.
The goal? To encourage travelers to not just go somewhere new, but to become someone new through the journey.
Let Travel Change You
Looking back, I didn’t leave the Badlands the same person who arrived. And that’s the beauty of travel. It’s not just about the places we visit, but about who we become along the way.
So, whether you’re stepping into a new adventure or reflecting on a past trip, ask yourself:
How has travel changed you?
I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment below and share a moment when travel helped you grow in an unexpected way.
Travel Well,
We are the clay, and He is the potter." – Isaiah 64:8
The Badlands are made of clay, shaped by wind and water—layer by layer, always changing. We, too, are shaped by the hands of our Creator, letting go of the old, being refined into something new. The erosion of self isn’t loss—it’s transformation.
