I should be packing – we are leaving Sunday for a 4-6 week camping trip to the Pacific Northwest. Today my task is to get most of the food in the trailer so I sat down to make lists. I also checked e-mails and looked at the photos I took yesterday on our photo safari to the old train yard. It was called the Junction by people who lived in Jackson, because the city was the central location in Michigan for passenger and shipping rail services. During the heyday of rail travel, there were trains coming and going from all directions. You can tell that I have been derailed from my original goal of packing.
I am feeling a little unsettled today, which is probably why I am writing this post instead of getting ready to leave. Transitions from home to travel do that to me, but I think it is also the way we plan on traveling. I decided I didn’t want to travel on a schedule and that is unsettling for someone who likes to have everything planned out and under control.
We know what direction we are traveling in and we have decided that we will go to the upper peninsula to get on highway 2 on Sunday. We also know we want to stay at Marquette on Lake Superior for that first night. Because we prefer the state highways to the interstate, we will take highway 2 across the northern US to Glacier National Park but our plans are pretty loose after that. Maybe I should call our plans flexible because that sounds better. I can be in control of my destiny while still being flexible.
Manual Track Switch
I really like the idea of being able to shift tracks if we find something interesting. I bought several tour books and have been marking things I’d like to do. We can read these and plan our trip as we go, one of the benefits of being retired and having a flexible time frame.
Mechanism that switches the tracks.
Another reason we have chosen to be flexible instead of all-planned-out is that I need to travel at a pace that is comfortable. On last year’s trip to Newfoundland we both needed and enjoyed having a slow day every three or four days – maybe do a little sightseeing but also have time for an afternoon nap. This slow day can be our day for planning “which way” we want to go on the next leg of our journey. But now I have to get packing!
Cee has provided her readers with weekly opportunities to post photos and stories of “which way” they are moving through the world. You can see for yourself by clicking here.
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
Enjoy your vacation š
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Thanks. I think we are having fun – post to follow. š
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Sounds like you’ve planned the basics and have lots of necessary flexibility built in. Enjoy your trip! Hope to see some pix along the way! We’re heading for a much needed week to Hatteras island tomorrow. That place is a refuge for us. Safe travels to you and yours!
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And safe travels for you, Nora. I hope you return refreshed. I am excited about practicing my landscape photography and will be posting whenever we have internet reception.
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How wonderful and so nice that you have that flexibility! Have a fantastic trip and I look forward to seeing all your amazing images upon your return! ( or maybe during your travels?)
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Thanks, Sue. We have Verizon wireless internet so we can take it when we travel – as long as there is a tower close by. I try to post while I’m traveling so family can follow along.
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I should also be packing, as we leave tomorrow for a week on the Rhine. Have a great trip, Pat. š
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And same to you, ad. I bet you will get some beautiful scenery shots. š
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Railroad tracks are beckoning, I think. Safe travels!
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Thanks, Alice.
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4 to 6 weeks is a long time – no wonder you’re playing with pictures instead of packing š
We loved Glacier when we were there. Looking forward to the images you bring back!
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The images are great, and have a wonderful camping trip.
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Thanks, Opalla. I am so looking forward to it, but obviously having a hard time staying focused on packing. š
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I hope you have a fantastic trip Pat! If you find yourself close to the Seattle area let me know. š
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Thanks – I have never been to Seattle and would love to see it, but my husband dislikes large cities, to the point where it is almost a phobia. There has to be a very compelling reason before I pick that battle. š
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Oh, I can see why you want to be careful with that! There are plenty of mountains, beaches and rivers to visit, no need to see the cities. š A lot of cute small towns too if those are ok…
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Those are fabulous photos. I especially adore the first one. Which Way is for sure!!
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Isn’t it great when we have the perfect photo for what we want? Thanks, Cee.
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Beautiful pictures to go with wonderful prose. Nicely done all around.
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Thanks, Julie. I have fun when I can use photos to help me tell stories or reflect on life.
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