More trip planning
With Chappy still at the dealer and the new campground not opening for another week there is nothing much to do on the camping front except plan out the things that still need to be done before we leave, places to stop on the way, what to do when we get there, and where to go on the way back.
We want the trip to be open to spontaneous activities and that notion in itself does not necessarily have to clash with my need to plan and make lists. There is nothing wrong with listing out possible activities and even scheduling a few that require prior notice, but with only those few exceptions do we actually write anything in the calendar. We do however work from our list.
It works like this:
We compile a list of activities, places to visit, and places to eat. During the course of the trip we add more items to the list as well, sometimes forsaking what we set out to do in the morning to explore one of the new ideas on the list instead. The list also includes some activities that can be done in case of inclement weather, sore muscle days etc.
We may agree one night while in South Dakota to go visit Mount Rushmore the next day, but when we wake up in the morning its raining. Instead of scrambling for things to do, we look at the list and choose another like 'The Mammoth Site Museum' that is indoors. Or maybe we are on our way to Mount Rushmore and we see a sign for Trout fishing and that just seems more fun to everyone at the time, we'll leave Mount Rushmore for another day or abandon that idea entirely to feed the fish.
If one day we hike 10 miles in Custer state park, the next day might not be the best day to choose another physical activity (or maybe it is, but we're old people).
In this way, we can do our homework, make our lists and tentative plans but the actual itinerary is fluid and easy to change based on circumstances.
It is also important to know that when the trip is done there will be items left on the list undone and that is just fine.
We want the trip to be open to spontaneous activities and that notion in itself does not necessarily have to clash with my need to plan and make lists. There is nothing wrong with listing out possible activities and even scheduling a few that require prior notice, but with only those few exceptions do we actually write anything in the calendar. We do however work from our list.
It works like this:
We compile a list of activities, places to visit, and places to eat. During the course of the trip we add more items to the list as well, sometimes forsaking what we set out to do in the morning to explore one of the new ideas on the list instead. The list also includes some activities that can be done in case of inclement weather, sore muscle days etc.
We may agree one night while in South Dakota to go visit Mount Rushmore the next day, but when we wake up in the morning its raining. Instead of scrambling for things to do, we look at the list and choose another like 'The Mammoth Site Museum' that is indoors. Or maybe we are on our way to Mount Rushmore and we see a sign for Trout fishing and that just seems more fun to everyone at the time, we'll leave Mount Rushmore for another day or abandon that idea entirely to feed the fish.
If one day we hike 10 miles in Custer state park, the next day might not be the best day to choose another physical activity (or maybe it is, but we're old people).
In this way, we can do our homework, make our lists and tentative plans but the actual itinerary is fluid and easy to change based on circumstances.
It is also important to know that when the trip is done there will be items left on the list undone and that is just fine.
Wow will you plan my trip?
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