There were many times that my hiking plans were curtailed.
For instance, I had planned twice to do the Benton MacKaye
trail. Both times other circumstances came up (but I finally hiked it back in 2022). I was set to do the John Muir Trail until the snows hit hard and my husband hurt his back. We may try for it next year.
And now this year when a hard-fought-after lottery win for hiking the North Cascades of Washington State got smashed with forest fires everywhere, yielding to closed trails and the campsites we had reserved.
Plans all changed.
So what do you do when you find your
plans changing?
Thankfully there are plenty of places to enjoy a good walk in
the woods! Check out nearby state parks, forests, and other places while you wait for the right time for a major trip. Keep seeking new adventures and don't stagnate. You
may need to research alternate locations online, but they are out
there. Meanwhile, get ready for the next trip and research on recreation.gov when the next lotteries open if you are required to go that route.
Sometimes other things happen. Sickness prevails. A family emergency
crops up. An injury happens. Whatever. By no means should you give up on your idea
of going on a trail. I look at it this way – well, this is not my time to
do this trail. It’s for another season. Maybe when the weather is better or
there will be hikers out there I’m supposed to meet. Change trails with health issues and maybe hike with a buddy or two.
I know it can be hard trying
to rationalize it all. The most important thing is to not get down about it. Or
angry, like with fires, injury, or other issues. Instead, make alternate plans. Search out new opportunities, maybe even an obscure trail or another trip altogether that will yield a grand adventure.
So don’t let detours get to you. Make a way around the
detour and find yourself on a trail enjoying the best that nature has to offer. A joyful heart is great medicine.
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