Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventure. Show all posts

1.14.2013

Traveling is a Mindset #2: Let Adventure Unfold Without Anger or Resistance

Courtesy of Soul Coaching Oracle Cards by Denise Linn.
Copyright 2005, Hay House Inc.
When I’m traveling and things don’t go as planned, I often get a rush of excitement.  Although sometimes it’s a little scary, I think of it as an adventure, an opportunity for a great story when it’s all said and done.  At home I notice I tend to be much more impatient and short when things don’t go as planned. Honestly, I usually get angry, which is something I rarely do when I’m traveling. How silly I’ve been to not apply my free wheeling travel philosophy to life when I’m at home.

I challenge you to view daily mishaps as an opportunity. There is a flow to life and when you don’t resist, you just let experiences happen (even if it’s not how you planned) often something positive will come from it.  Don’t make things harder then they need to be, just enjoy and watch things unfold.

Susie-Q
This actually happened to me today.  My entire day was planned out.  Things took a curve ball when I noticed a dog running in the road about to get hit by several cars.  I pulled over to see if I could call the dog out of traffic, I left my car door open so I could make a quick escape if the dog was not friendly (I’m a bit intimidated by big dogs).  Lone behold she ran right by me out of traffic and hopped into the back seat of my car.

All plans were off, I now had a huge pit bull/lab occupying my backseat with nowhere to go. I know, I’m supposed to call the animal shelter but I knew that if the owner did not come forward within a few days, there was a good chance she would be put down. Her name was Susie-Q and she was such a sweet loving dog, she became my best friend for the day. We created quite the adventure searching for her owner. Visiting local vet’s, parks and neighborhoods asking if anyone new her and putting up found dog signs. When the sun went down and there was still no sign of Susie-Q’s owner, I was going to have to keep her for the night.

Then a little miracle happened. I had found the dog near my parent’s house (who live fairly close to me). My father was in his backyard letting his dog out when he heard a woman yelling Susie-Q from the street below. He called out to her and it was the owner.  She lived a couple of neighborhoods away, just got home from work and noticed the dog was missing. She was franticly searching the surrounding streets; she hadn’t seen any of the signs I put up because it was dark. Thankfully my father was in his backyard and heard her, it was all a bit serendipitous. Susie-Q had unexpectedly escaped from the yard and her tags were not properly updated. The happy owner was sobbing with joy and so thankful that we had the dog.

So while my day did not go as planned, in fact nothing I planned was completed, I had a fabulous experience and helped someone else out. It felt great and I’m going to bed with a smile. Cheers to traveling at home through new experiences. Have you ever experienced a time when things didn't go as planned but turned out better? 

8.23.2012

Southwest Road Trip

As we approach fall my favorite time of year, I'm going to spend some time reminiscing on one of my favorite fall road trips. Here on the west coast September and October are the perfect times to travel, gorgeous weather and shoulder season, so crowds are limited. A couple of years back I took a Southwest Road trip, I'm going to highlight some stops along that fabulous fall journey. Enjoy.

Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park

Zion National Park
Spent a day hiking in Zion National Park, taking in the gorgeous views, cliche but it was breathtaking.  Finished the evening in Springdale, UT at Oscar's Cafe eating green chile enchiladas on the patio, enjoying the dramatic southwest sunset. Absolutely amazing.

Road tripping to Bryce Canyon from Zion

Bryce Canyon National Park




























The scenery here is as dramatic as ever, it's a must see. We finished the day at the Bryce Canyon Lodge for an afternoon glass of wine. We didn't stay the night because the rooms were sold out. Either way I'm a sucker for National Park Lodges and I make sure to stop in and see the lodge at each National Park I visit. I just love the old rustic feeling, it can't be beat.


It's a much farther drop then it looks here.
Loving It