We Would Have Missed Them
What a delayed trail ride put in front of us in Yellowstone.
I’m writing this on Friday afternoon, looking at Old Faithful and the mountains behind it. We started Tuesday morning with an early flight to Bozeman for a week in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Day four, and I’m still in the early stages of relaxing, because we’ve been trying to maximize what we can see.
The kids’ 2-hour horseback trail ride ran almost 3 hours, which pushed back the rest of our plans for the day. That delay is what put us in front of a herd of bison, including some calves born earlier this year. Then we were delayed again when the whole herd decided to cross the road and stopped traffic in both directions.
It worked out. As we approached our next stop, they were just reopening the parking lot, so we avoided parking on the road and hiked the extra distance to the site.
We make plans, only to find out we are not in control of them. In the moment, a delay feels like something went wrong. Looking back, what came out of it was better than what we had scheduled.
What if the delay you are sitting in today is what puts you in front of the thing you would have driven past?
I’m back to vacation mode now.
Hi. I’m Melissa. I write for the achiever who knows they can't pressure-test the biggest calls alone but are tempted to do it anyway.
Weekend Thoughts for Reflection
"Alas, as we get up in life, and are more preoccupied with our affairs, even a holiday is a thing that must be worked for." - Robert Louis Stevenson
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.What stands in the way becomes the way." - Marcus Aurelius
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There's a charming paradox here: as you try to see and do everything with your family, it’s often the unexpected disruptions that bring the most meaningful moments. The trail ride took a bit longer than expected, a bison crossed the road, and Yellowstone kindly guided your plans in a new direction. Surprisingly, these unplanned moments could turn into some of your family's most treasured memories.
Your final question serves as a heartfelt reminder that a delay isn’t always a detour away from your destination; sometimes, it’s exactly where you’re meant to be. Keep capturing and sharing these special, unexpected family adventures. While travel takes us through beautiful scenery, your reflections reveal the quieter story beneath—the ways our children, nature, and even interruptions help us learn to cherish the present moment, rather than just sticking to a schedule.