I often tell people I’m a terrible road trip partner. I shift around a lot, I drink a lot of water, and I get restless easily equating to multiple stops along the way. Or maybe I’m a great road trip partner because I like making stops and seeing things I otherwise wouldn’t see.
Last Wednesday I flew to Detroit for a road trip adventure with my pirate friend Lily. Our destination was New York for a wedding, but we left a few days early for some explorations. Originally the plan was to visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, but I dropped the ball as if it were a rhino corpse when I noticed my passport expired.
The day before my trip.
Two tangled haired gypsies barefoot on the beach
I choose my friends well these days and although it was a huge bummer, Lily had such grace about the situation and we quickly changed gears. Come to find out I could have gotten into Canada with my birth certificate, but I don’t want to talk about it.
Insert hands over eyes face here.
Instead we would stay a night in Erie, PA and explore Presque Isle State Park, with a pit stop in Cleveland for lunch with Meghan. What a lovely last minute surprise that was. Seeing Meghan was well worth the $250 spent on a Canadian hotel I never slept in.
Cleveland has amazing vegan options.
The state park is surrounded by Lake Erie giving miles and miles of beach to walk. We first tried walking through the woods because I naturally gravitate towards the trees, but the flies were so bad I began to question when the last time I had showered was.
I’m not much of a beach person, but I did enjoy getting sand between my toes.
It’s been a while since I rose early without work being the driving force for my alarm. The beauty of vacation is that you can stop to smell the roses, or rise early to catch the sunrise. Click here to watch my first time lapse of the sunrise.
Post sunrise morning walk.
While it was a big fat bummer we couldn’t go through Canada land, our plan B turned out to be a wonderful first stop on our adventures north. Pennsylvania was also the only place I found a co-op with vegan options galore. Needles to say I stocked up on treats and meals.
Somehow I saved this chocolate chip cookie for the plane ride home. Three days later.
Things don’t always go as planned, and sometimes we have brain farts loud enough to shake the sea. Some things end up out of our control, but our emotions and reactions are two things that remain ours to choose.
Take it from me, choose a relaxed mind, an adventurous spirit, and a slippery shoulder to let unexpected detours slip right off into the past.
Q: How do you deal with abrupt changes in plans?
Blissfulbritt 
54 thoughts on “Road Trippin”
Shawna
it’s all about perspective, which you seemed to do a good job of demonstrating here — how life can throw you unpredictable curves in many shapes and sizes, and it’s what we do with them and how we allow them to affect us that speaks to our character. i love the line about the $250 being well-worth seeing your friend. that speaks volumes about you and what you value (even if that whole missing Canada aspect was a major bummer!). and where in NY will you be?!
Brittany
I was already there! Back home in Washington now. We stayed in Rochester.
pausesandclicks
I knew I liked you for a reason! Well, besides your spirit and blog posts. I’m also not a beach person….we seem to be few and far between in this world! Kudos to you for being flexible and taking the fork in the road.
Brittany
I thought I was a lone wolf on the non beach train. Glad to have you as a partner in crime!
Josie @ Literature Mistress
How do I deal with abrupt changes in plans? Not well. In fact I’m probably the last person anyone would want to be with in a situation like the one you described. I know it sucks, but my knee jerk reaction to things like that is…scary. Or so I’ve been told. And yes, I should probably work on that. If you know any effective chill pills, please send them my way. 😉
Brittany
Hahaha baby steps!
Christine @ www.rustic-refined.com
So sorry to hear about your passport, that sucks! But everything happens for a reason right. Loving the shots you took of your trip, it looks amazing. Glad you had fun!
Brittany
Yes, everything DOES happen for a reason! 😄
Andrea Weidel
I used to be terrible with change but my adventurous spirit has only grown as I’ve gotten older. So while I may feel a slight bit of irritation when I have to quickly change plans, I’m also a ‘glass half full’ person so I’m good at making the best of it!
Did you end up visiting The Falls on the American side? Love the beach pictures btw – makes me hate to be stuck at my desk!
Brittany
I did! Blog post of the falls to come!
Angie
I just go with the flow. Sounds like a great trip! And that chocolate chip cookie looks so yum! 🙂
Brittany
That cookie was amazing.
pickyrunner
I’m terrible with road trips and going with the flow, but I guess I need to do it more often. I’m actually the worst at change in general hahaha they say it gets easier as you get older, but I doubt it. I’m impressed you managed to hold onto that cookie for 3 days. I’d finish it in 3 minutes or less 😉
Brittany
It helped that I bought like 5 other treats hahaha.
Rach @ This Italian Family
I’m glad plan B worked out so well! Looks like you had great fun even if it wasn’t the way you originally anticipated!
Brittany
It was a fabulous adventure!
Ellie
Usually a change in plans involves a small freak out, a bit heavy breathing and then I accept it and take control of what I can. What co-op did you go to? I love finding gems like that in random places 🙂
Brittany
Oddly enough it was called “whole foods co-op” and initially I thought we were going to the typical Whole Foods. 😝 much better surprise!
Amy
I’ll go on road trips with you whenever you want!! That’s my kind of way to explore… Stopping frequently to see random things along the way. 🙂 PS You’re still welcome to come down here whenever and we’ll go up to Tahoe and spend plenty of time in the forest and hiking among the trees! 💛
Brittany
I think I know my next trip! Is your schedule pretty flexible?!
Amy
Yup!! Totally flexible! 💛 Just shoot me an email or text and we’ll start planning!
Rachael @ Catch Me If You Can
I have no idea how you didn’t eat that cookie right then! Points for that will power. Bummer about Canada but now you have a reason to go back 🙂
Brittany
Exactly! I said that same thing and I WILL go back!
millerle77
Never expected Lake Erie to look like a beach? It looks amazing – cookie cutter beach person here.
Mentally shifting from irritable to gracious when things don’t go as planned is a gradual process for me. I’ve found running to be a good sedative and a parallel to some of the detours life can give us.
Hoping your Canada trip comes to fruition in the very near future.
Brittany
Thank you! My Canadian adventure will happen someday!
Jade
Even though things didn’t go as planned everything looks so beautiful! Everything happens for some reason or another
Brittany
I agree 100%!!
P
Aww bummer about Canada but it’ll be there next time 😉
That beach though—soooo gorgeous!!!
Brittany
The detour was marvelous. 😄
Anthony
You were almost in Canada….I would have driven the two hours to give you the cookies I promised. If you’re ever that close again, please let me know.
Looks like you had a great trip (and your friends sound cool).
As always, love reading your posts.
Brittany
Awwww! I will surely let you know next time. 😝
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I know it’s awful to say, but I for one am thrilled you didn’t renew your passport. 🙂
Also, I’m pretty sure you need more than a birth certificate. That’s only for minors under 18…I think….I’ve been looking into it though because we are taking Ave to Canada land in just a little over a week, although I do need to get her a passport at some point. Hmmm.
I loved meeting Lily too. She’s a sweetheart and a keeper as far as friends go. Also she’s close to me geographically speaking, so whenever you come out this way you can get a two for one friend deal. 🙂
Brittany
I love this comment for so many reasons!!!!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Sooooo when are you going to renew your passport so that you can come visit ME and we can hang out in the Rockies? Eh??
Brittany
Working on it right now! All I need it a photo to attach to my renewal application. 🙌🏼🙌🏼 I’ll go see Meghan again and we will drive to you!
Kristy from Southern In Law
Way to go on handling the total turnabout! Even though it wasn’t planned, your trip still sounded like so much fun!
Brittany
It was great!
An Unrefined Vegan
Looks like awesome fun! And good on you for rolling with the punches. For me – it kinda depends on the mood I’m in when a shift in gears is needed. And I guess also how high my expectations were for a particular event/activity, etc.
Brittany
I can agree with how high expectations are, that one always gets me.
Melanie
What an incredible trip! I love all of your pics and that sunrise was gorgeous! I’m not much of a beach lover either. I love the water, the serenity and the beauty, but I don’t love how the sand gets everywhere and I end up taking it all home with me in the car! Ha!
Brittany
I don’t know why I don’t enjoy the beach as much, maybe it’s been too overhyped and too many people are usually there? I don’t know haah.
Jess @hellotofit
I used to get pretty distraught over changes in plans, and am slowly learning that I can’t put myself through all that negativity for the things we can’t control!
In other news, I’m craving a cookie. More specifically, the one in your hand 🙂
Brittany
Bahaha I’m craving that cookie too!
marathonerexposed
Adapt instantaneously and allow my life to transform! I remain open to all adventures…
Brittany
Love it! Great answer!
dave379
Yeah, it’s all in how you decide to react and look at things. Sometimes it’s easier than others, but I have noticed how vacations almost always more easily bring out the best in me. There’s always something to explore and be curious about, so usually it’s not so much, ‘Oh that didn’t work out,’ as ‘Hmmm, I wonder what’s going to come next.’
Brittany
Exactly! I get a sense of adventure on vacations.
Allie Zottola
I am totally like you with travel! I drink a ton of water and I’m just not good at sitting still, haha. I also like to take little detours and find new places to check out. Man, you were in Erie! Only two hours from Pittsburgh! One day we’ll meet 🙂
Brittany
Ahhh so close!!! Yes I will be back!
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stateeats
Sounds like you had a great time despite the change in plans. Travel is all about making incremental adjustments as you go. -Kat
Brittany
I agree! 👍🏻
Heather
I usually throw a mini temper-tantrum (type-A), take a breath and realize I’m stressing out for no reason and go about it rationally, haha.
Brittany
Doesn’t always matter how you get there, as long as you get there! Haha