It's the effort that does the filtering. A tough walk or a boring spot means most people just won't bother, so you're left with the few who really get it. The quiet isn't just given to you, you have to trade something for it, usually comfort or a nice picture. That trade is what makes it feel real and not just another thing to consume. We're all running the same basic math, trying to find where the cost of getting there is higher than other people's want to go.

My old Meade telescope in the backyard gets used more than my passport these days. Sometimes the local sky is plenty good if the goal is just to practice or clear your head. I save the big trips for when I really want the whole adventure, not just the picture.

Love that strategy, I do the exact same thing. I pick my dates and just watch the price like a hawk for a couple weeks. My rule is to book it the second I see a drop that feels solid, because waiting for the absolute lowest almost always backfires. I missed out once by trying to wait one more day and the price shot back up. Now I just go for it when my gut says it's a good deal.