A Planner's Diary in September
What can we learn when we're willing to stay flexible?
This August and September, my husband and I were spoiled by beautiful hiking trails. We enjoyed a backpacking hike in Glacier National Park in Montana followed by a longer backpacking adventure through Olympic National Park in Washington.
Why am I drawn to backpack hiking? What is the allure of carrying the essentials on your back and subjecting yourself to 8-or 9-hour hiking days? I always leave having learned something new. Sometimes, this means learning how resilient, or not so resilient, a piece of gear is. Mostly, backpacking is an exercise in understanding inner strength, and who I am when I am feeling tired and choose to continue anyway.
Our 5-day backpacking adventure in Olympic also reminded me of the importance of being flexible. Our original plan was to hike in an entirely different park on a scenic loop around Mount Rainier. This is what we had bought our plane tickets for, and this is what we tailored all our backpacking gear toward. Two days before our scheduled departure, we learned of a lightning storm that caused 5 fires in Rainier, blocking major points of the trail from use.
Our big plans were dashed before we'd even boarded the plane. But we are not people easily deterred. We ultimately pivoted and my husband secured the necessary camping permits in Olympic instead. We knew this new itinerary would mean a lot more rain and bugs in our forecast; we adjusted our gear accordingly and acknowledged that there were simply things we couldn't know until we were in the thick of it.
The hike was challenging in its climbs, but that we were used to. What I felt less ready for? Rainfall that lasted 10 or more hours, paired with such deep layers of fog that I fancied myself on some sort of movie set. Oftentimes, we set up and broke down camp in the rain. We tried our best to get used to our cold, wet socks, and above all else, we learned a lot about what it means to show up and commit to an adventure together… rain or shine. We shared many, many laughs on this trip. Some of which were at our own expense.
Pictured: Me, on the trail. A little cold. But still smiling…!
We chose to be flexible before this trip even began, and we kept choosing it every day on the trail. As a result, we got to see a part of the country entirely new to both of us.
We also were reminded of our resiliency and walked away with memories all our own.
It is not always so simple or charming to go with the flow and embrace a change in plans. When your heart is set on a particular experience or outcome, anything less can be hard to come to terms with. But when we choose to stay open to new possibilities over all-or-nothing thinking, we open the door to the unexpected and allow experiences to be our teacher. Our Olympic trip reminded me that the next time a situation hands me an out, to look a little deeper, seek the alternate route, and start the adventure anyway.
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Planning Insights: This month, I wrote about The Hidden Returns of Financial Planning. The work of real, deep financial planning focuses on uncovering what it means to have “enough.” The most meaningful outcomes of this work aren’t measured in portfolio performance, but in better sleep, stronger relationships, and the confidence of knowing you’ve got a plan.
On the Page: I recently read Landings in America by motorcycle journalist Peter Egan. This was a gift from a friend who noted that the adventure in its pages reminded them of the grand plans my husband and I often scheme up. It’s a memoir of the summer of 1987, when Peter and his wife fly a 1945 Piper Cub across the country. They contend with unpredictable weather, at times unusual sleeping accommodations, the very real limitations of a vintage plane, and more than a few course corrections along the way. For me, it captured the gap between the trip you plan and the one you end up experiencing. And that gap is where all the good stuff lives.
Plus, his observation that nothing is better than a crummy motel, AC, and a cold Coke after roughing it? Couldn’t agree more.
Until next time,
Claire
This material is intended for educational purposes only. You should always consult a financial, tax, or legal professional familiar with your unique circumstances before making any financial decisions. Nothing in this material constitutes a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Any mentioned rates of return are historical or hypothetical in nature and are not a guarantee of future returns. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Future returns may be lower or higher. Investments involve risk. Investment values will fluctuate with market conditions, and security positions, when sold, may be worth less or more than their original cost. Advisory Services offered through Avise Financial Cooperative Inc, a Registered Investment Adviser with the SEC. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
