This is another thing we have in common! Say yes to the Deliverance option!!! Makes me think of the time I got lost in the Louisiana bayou (looking for a boat launch to go solo kayaking) and had to stop and ask for directions and the whole time I kept saying “holy shit this is Deliverance!” 🤣 Let’s just get used to this happening every time one of us shares a personal essay about traveling.
I can tell we'd have a blast traveling together. And yes, I love horror films, so I have definitely seen that one. That's why I travel with bear mace, a chef's knife and a .38 Special.
When you mention bears it makes me glad we don't have them in the UK. 😁🐻 I feel pretty safe walking on my own until I get chatting with other women who don't or won't go anywhere where there isn't a phone signal. Then it gets me thinking a while until I forget again and go on my merry way.
I am quite happy to take different routes in local areas I know well. It's not so comfortable when I go further afield though. Then I think about it more. It doesn't stop me though and always feels like an achievement when I get back because it does help to rewire the brain and get a different perspective. 😜
Yeah bears are a real deterrent to enjoying the incredible nature we've got over here. I would probably be a solo camper if not for the possibility of running into bears 🤣
We were on our way from Iowa to Chicago when we saw a sign that said, "Site of Field of Dreams." We took the detour and it was a most memorable part of our cross-country road trip. We sat on the same bench that James Earl Jones sat on when he watched the baseball game next to the cornfield. Some people were actually playing ball on the field while we watched. I could almost see Kevin Costner watch Shoeless Joe stepping out from between the corn stalks. We would have missed all of that if we had kept to our plan to head to Chicago for deep dish pizza.
I recently was in Ann Arbor, Michigan and wandered off the U of M campus into the downtown area. I loved seeing the neighborhood architecture, ivy growing up walls, cement post to tie up a horse, and liberal messaging. I stopped at one of those mini libraries and found the perfect book to borrow. I was just open to enjoying the 90 minutes I had for exploring.
Your spontaneous decision to follow the sign to Dog Lake reminds me of a classic Far Side comic. The caption read "Slug family vacation disaster." The cartoon was of family of slugs (in a station wagon I'm guessing) and a road sign for Salt Lake City. The youngest slug says, "Let's go swimming!"
I’m pretty sure that if anyone wanted to kidnap me, they’d make a sign that said “dog lake” with an arrow and off I’d go! Glad your trip was less dangerous!
I think every dog I have ever owned was a trail horse in a past life! SEriously, my first pup, Spirit...she hated walks. Cried. until I turned around to go home, and then she trotted like it was the best thing in the world. Second dog, she didn't mind going on a walk, but when it was time to go home...she picked up her pace and wagged her tail. Tosha, not quite as much, but she still does love a good "rush to get home" kinda walk in the neighborhood. Why is this?
I do enjoy a good moseying meander once in awhile.
Dezi certainly isn’t a trail horse, but Mojo before her didn’t care at all for walks. She was happy to go to the mailbox and back lol. I dunno how dogs do or don’t get a sense of adventure!
Oh. My. G-d. Those pictures!! Gorgeous. Taking the road less traveled-- story of my life. I love hidden wonders and love hearing about the ones you find.
Ahaha! Maybe one day I'll make it back to Canada. Then I'd gladly go hiking with you in bear country. I think they purr when you scratch their chins. Should we find out?
Seriously, though, this is a great reminder to maintain some spontaneity in our adventures. I've found some great stuff myself that way!
You were an obvious addition to that list. As soon as the topic of hiking in the wild pops up...it's Erik time 😂 And BTW, I'm not sure Canadian bears purr as easily as American ones!
I always wondered how our caveman ancestors survived all of that smoke inhalation once they discovered fire. I bet the invention of fireplaces and chimneys were high priority.
It seems like you have a habit of wandering off the beaten trail! A fine trait for a writer. Adventuring fuels the soul.
This is another thing we have in common! Say yes to the Deliverance option!!! Makes me think of the time I got lost in the Louisiana bayou (looking for a boat launch to go solo kayaking) and had to stop and ask for directions and the whole time I kept saying “holy shit this is Deliverance!” 🤣 Let’s just get used to this happening every time one of us shares a personal essay about traveling.
Ooooh man, would I love traveling with you. We'd probably end up camping where the hills have eyes. 🤣🤣 (Did you see that movie?)
I can tell we'd have a blast traveling together. And yes, I love horror films, so I have definitely seen that one. That's why I travel with bear mace, a chef's knife and a .38 Special.
😆😆😆😆 Are you serious?? I mean, I’m Canadian…the 38 is unheard of but we all have bear spray up here lol
Solo camping? Most definitely. My daddy was from Oklahoma. But it’s not like I’m packing on an average Tuesday 🤣
Oooooh hahaha I thought you meant you carry all the time 🤣
When you mention bears it makes me glad we don't have them in the UK. 😁🐻 I feel pretty safe walking on my own until I get chatting with other women who don't or won't go anywhere where there isn't a phone signal. Then it gets me thinking a while until I forget again and go on my merry way.
I am quite happy to take different routes in local areas I know well. It's not so comfortable when I go further afield though. Then I think about it more. It doesn't stop me though and always feels like an achievement when I get back because it does help to rewire the brain and get a different perspective. 😜
Yeah bears are a real deterrent to enjoying the incredible nature we've got over here. I would probably be a solo camper if not for the possibility of running into bears 🤣
We were on our way from Iowa to Chicago when we saw a sign that said, "Site of Field of Dreams." We took the detour and it was a most memorable part of our cross-country road trip. We sat on the same bench that James Earl Jones sat on when he watched the baseball game next to the cornfield. Some people were actually playing ball on the field while we watched. I could almost see Kevin Costner watch Shoeless Joe stepping out from between the corn stalks. We would have missed all of that if we had kept to our plan to head to Chicago for deep dish pizza.
OMG Linda, I love this SO much!!!! What a great detour and a great example of “taking the left turn” and having it work out. So awesome.
Yes, you never know what lies in wait for us to discover if we avail ourselves of the opportunity to explore, as you did looking for Dog Lake.
Unplanned adventures are the best ones!
Absolutely agree!
No horses!
Next time I hope you make it up to Dog Lake (we also have a Dog Leg Lake here so it gets confusing). It's worth the trek.
I would've loved to Donna! We were just not prepared. And my mom with her sciatica...she would have been bear food for sure 😁
I recently was in Ann Arbor, Michigan and wandered off the U of M campus into the downtown area. I loved seeing the neighborhood architecture, ivy growing up walls, cement post to tie up a horse, and liberal messaging. I stopped at one of those mini libraries and found the perfect book to borrow. I was just open to enjoying the 90 minutes I had for exploring.
Okay, wait a minute. A horse hitching post???? I love that! We're there actual horses in the street?
Your spontaneous decision to follow the sign to Dog Lake reminds me of a classic Far Side comic. The caption read "Slug family vacation disaster." The cartoon was of family of slugs (in a station wagon I'm guessing) and a road sign for Salt Lake City. The youngest slug says, "Let's go swimming!"
Glad your experience was different, Kristi!
Hahahaaa!! Nice one.
Oh--here it is. I embellished a bit but it's mostly as I remember! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/450219293981768967/
LOL looks like an utter fail. National Lampoon for slugs
I’m pretty sure that if anyone wanted to kidnap me, they’d make a sign that said “dog lake” with an arrow and off I’d go! Glad your trip was less dangerous!
🤣🤣🤣 I never thought of the sign being a trap but now that you mention it......
Again...deliverance. I watch way too many true crime shows lol
I think every dog I have ever owned was a trail horse in a past life! SEriously, my first pup, Spirit...she hated walks. Cried. until I turned around to go home, and then she trotted like it was the best thing in the world. Second dog, she didn't mind going on a walk, but when it was time to go home...she picked up her pace and wagged her tail. Tosha, not quite as much, but she still does love a good "rush to get home" kinda walk in the neighborhood. Why is this?
I do enjoy a good moseying meander once in awhile.
Dezi certainly isn’t a trail horse, but Mojo before her didn’t care at all for walks. She was happy to go to the mailbox and back lol. I dunno how dogs do or don’t get a sense of adventure!
Oh. My. G-d. Those pictures!! Gorgeous. Taking the road less traveled-- story of my life. I love hidden wonders and love hearing about the ones you find.
I know right!!?? I was speechless in there seeing all these colors.
Definitely deliverance of a different kind 😁
Here in the States, today (Nov. 5) is the PERFECT day to take the random turn and see what happens. But to the left :-)
HA! Nicely done Jan. I love how you worked that in. Best wishes for you all today.
Ahaha! Maybe one day I'll make it back to Canada. Then I'd gladly go hiking with you in bear country. I think they purr when you scratch their chins. Should we find out?
Seriously, though, this is a great reminder to maintain some spontaneity in our adventures. I've found some great stuff myself that way!
You were an obvious addition to that list. As soon as the topic of hiking in the wild pops up...it's Erik time 😂 And BTW, I'm not sure Canadian bears purr as easily as American ones!
🤣😂
Your photos always inspire me to wander off. They look so peaceful and serene.
I'm glad they inspire ✨️ 😌 I just love hidden gems!
Sometimes the best places are hidden from tourist.
I always wondered how our caveman ancestors survived all of that smoke inhalation once they discovered fire. I bet the invention of fireplaces and chimneys were high priority.
It seems like you have a habit of wandering off the beaten trail! A fine trait for a writer. Adventuring fuels the soul.
I like to wander about too.
Maybe that's why cave life expectancy was 30 years old lol. Maybe it wasn't the sabertooth tigers, but the cave fires 🔥 🤔