Are you a thrifter? Grab my free tips! Click Here!

An Unexpected Journey

October 13, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links.

Be prepared for the unexpected and when it happens, because it will, try to make the most of it.

Be prepared for the unexpected and when it happens, because it will, try to make the most of it

When I was taking classes toward my graduate degree for teaching, I remember one class above all the rest.

It wasn't the subject matter I recall.

I honestly can't even picture the teacher, but it was something she said that sticks with me to this day and has served me well, not only in the classroom, but in life.

What were those fabulous words of wisdom?

Well, she said, "Be prepared for the unexpected and when it happens, because it will, try to make the most of it."

At the time, I was about twenty three, taking notes and ready to apply that sentiment strictly to classroom situations, you know, find the teachable moment in the chaos, kind of thing.

However, as the years rolled on and twenty three became thirty three and then forty three, I began to view those words in a completely different light.

They became more poignant as the unexpected went from surprise fire drills that interrupted my carefully planned lessons to surprise biopsies, miscarriages, illnesses and sick mothers that interrupted my carefully planned life.

Quite a loss of innocence.

Of course, not all unexpected journeys are grim. Some turn out to be quite pleasurable.

I much prefer these.

This weekend, for example, we headed out to farm country to pick pumpkins.

The plan was to spend the day riding tractors, stomping through orange colored fields, getting lost in corn mazes and eating caramel apples.

Unfortunately, by noon we were dead stopped in traffic, a red line was visible on the GPS for as far as we could scroll and Siri was telling us it was hopeless, abandon ship, go back home...

...and we almost did.

Then on a whim, we decided to take a turn south and head away from the cows and endless stretches of corn and drive toward the beach.

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, surely we could have a fabulous fall adventure in a sweet ocean village as well as we could out in the fields.

And guess what? We did.

Unbelievably, town offered the exact same activities as the farmlands.

Amazing.

We started with apple picking. I prefer the red ones. Big surprise.

Small Red Vera Bradley Purse

Then we moved on to the pumpkin patch. I chose four small perfectly round ones.

Pottery Barn Pumpkin Patch Plates

The little ones are so sweet.

Pumpkin plates with fruit and crackers on a table

My kids were especially fond of the petting zoo we stumbled upon.

We even brought some of those fur babies home.

Fur blanket and pillow on a bed

Then we went through the most charming maze and we didn't get lost once.

Brick Lined Alley

The only thing we didn't get to do was ride the tractor, because we spent a really long time at the snack booth.

Waffles with strawberries and cream

That's okay though, our cars are four wheel drives, so we rough it on a daily basis.

It wasn't the day we had so carefully mapped out, but in the end our unexpected journey turned out to be lovely one.

We certainly made the most of it, just like my professor said I should.

Did I mention that I got an A in that class?

Gee. I hope we don't run into traffic next year.

Wink.
Kim Signature


Post a Comment | 78 Comments

Hey~ before you go, let me know what you think!

I love comments and respond to them all.

*Please refer to our privacy policy if you have questions regarding your profile and note that comments with links will not be published.



  1. Oh I love Vera! I have not seen the new designs. I have tooo many! Love your trip to the pumpkin patch! Have a great week, Lynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am a Vera addict, Lynn. It was so cute...and red...and 25% off. I just couldn't resist! ;)

      Delete
  2. What a wonderful day you guys had! Love all of the treasures...especially the RED one! What a great "pick"! ;-) I really love those pumpkin plates also...absolutely adorable and so season-appropriate! Great detour you were forced to take! Love and hugs to you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Benita. It was a really nice day. It was not what we had planned, but everyone seemed super happy on our detour. I think the Belgium waffles were largely responsible!! ;)

      Delete
  3. A nice thought provoking post on how I will handle my next unexpected journey! I think mostly I go with it in the moment and then later look back and wonder how I did that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, AnnMarie...I think that's what I usually do too...how did I do that?? This journey was pretty easy to go with! ;)

      Delete
  4. i call those happy detours!
    they really are the best kind of trip to me.
    it happened to bob and me that way once... we missed our turn off.
    but then we started seeing signs... 'little switzerland of the ozarks'
    and like hansel and gretel ... we followed the crumbs. i mean signs.
    and it was one of the best weekends we ever spent!
    love the pictures and treasures from your adventure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now that sounds like a fabulous diversion...Hansel and Gretel, huh? Magical!!

      Delete
  5. Love this Kim, especially that gorgeous courtyard! Spontaneous detours can be so fun! Blessings, Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We took a lot of pictures in that courtyard…it was so pretty!! :)

      Delete
  6. Great post . . .a good "memory keeper from your graduate days!
    Looks like it served you well this weekend . . .
    Congratulations to Carla . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has served me well many times over the years, Lynne. I guess you never know what you will use from your school days. I try to tell my kids that all the time. They don’t listen to me…yet! ;)

      Delete
  7. YAY! Congratulations to Carla! Super post. I think you made the best choice. What a charming town! :) I would like to at least try to get lost in the maze!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a super charming town...and we did try to get lost! We ended up at a pair of historic outhouses!! ;)

      Delete
  8. Glad your trip turned out to be a good surprise to the day. Love when life takes turns for the better.
    Have a great week.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Kim, you enjoyed the perfect day from an unexpected change of plans. Love the red Vera Bradley and the pumpkin plates are gorgeous. The red brick walkway is beautiful. Fall fun all around. Have a great rest of the week.
    Hugs, cm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a super fun day and a great diversion. Thanks for popping in to say hello Celestina Marie. You always leave the sweetest comments! :)

      Delete
  10. That was one smart teacher you had Kim.

    Unexpected pleasures are the best kind...and cute red bags don't hurt either, ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow awesome journey. Great detour. Where did you wind up?
    Love the apple red bag, pumpkin plates and yummy snacks
    Tracy S

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We ended up at the beach...a glorious little town. It was a fun day! :)

      Delete
  12. Hi,
    Thank you for hosting the give away :-) Oh my, I am already shopping, I have several ideas picked out. :-) Thank you.

    I enjoyed your journey. Detours can be the best of days.
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congrats Carla...and yes, detours can be fun. Especially when you are the one in the driver's seat! ;)

      Delete
  13. Those are great words of wisdom and how amazing those words have stayed with you all these years. I love those Aha moment. I am so happy you and your family had a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Vanessa. It’s nice when it all works out!

      Delete
  14. I think unexpected journeys really are the best! We have lots of those around here... well, not red lines and detours... lol! But definitely unexpected happenings! Your "unexpected" was awesome Kim, love your finds, the red purse, fun pumpkins, amazing food, and beautiful walkways. Indeed, the quote from your professor is a memorable one! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I cannot imagine you ever seeing a red line in your neck of the woods!! Lucky you! ;) Enjoy those wide open spaces.

      Delete
  15. I think those spur-of-the-moment unexpected "journeys" are the best sort myself. It is always an adventure that we didn't plan that stirs the soul,isn't it? Those days that we can look on with wonder and awe at how amazingly perfect they were.

    Congrats to Carla. She is a very sweet person! I am truly happy for her. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely Diana...it couldn't have been more perfect if we had planned the day! :)

      Delete
  16. It sounds like a wonderful day. I'm so happy that Carla won! xoox Su

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am glad that you found a good alternative! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely post. All round. Really, all round. :-)

    And I'd say, you just had a wee little bit of magic, in your life!

    Hugs and magic,
    Tessa

    ReplyDelete
  19. That sounds like a perfect day, Kim! Isn't it wonderful when we allow ourselves to enjoy the journey....the past is past, and we have no control over the future; here and now is all there is.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Kim,
    Oh well maybe next year. At least you all found another nice plan for the day and it turned out great! Congrats to the winner of your nice giveaway.
    I hope you have a nice week.
    Julie xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Julie! It was a great day, one I hope to repeat next fall!!

      Delete
  21. Kim,
    What a beautiful post and I was right along with you throughout the journey. Wise words indeed:)
    Your family is so fortunate to have a Momma like you!
    xo
    Jemma

    ReplyDelete
  22. It's great that you were able to turn your half empty glass into a half full one. And you certainly have the memories and photos to show for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary! Yes, a half full glass for sure…that would make my teacher and my mother so happy! ;)

      Delete
  23. Ha ha this was a great post, Kim!!! Way to take a negative and turn it into a super positive - and I bet you didn't need even an ounce of hot cocoa with whipped cream to get through that day!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope! Not a drop…although I did whip some up once we got home, just for fun!! ;)

      Delete
  24. Kim, it sure sounds like you had a beautiful day. Surprises are the best, aren't they?
    . Especially when they happen accidently!. Love the fur stuff. Gorgeous..Happy Wednesday..Judy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was a fun surprise and it was a nice deviation from our usual fall outing.

      Delete
  25. Getting lost and having a change of plan is my favorite kind of trip! I always figure God has something in mind, and look for that. Looks like you guys had a fabulous day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I needed a light diversion, Nancy...maybe it was orchestrated after all. :)

      Delete
  26. Great post. Sounds like a great day and cute, fun purchases.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a great day, Lorri and everything we bought was on sale...even better! ;)

      Delete
  27. Sounds like you had a great day with the fam - good for you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I just love your positive perspective on your unexpected day! The petting zoo fuzzy your brought back with you is adorable! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We like the petting zoo souvenirs the best, too, Audra. Super soft and they never need to be walked or fed! ;)

      Delete
  29. Sounds like true serendipity to me!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  30. Awwww...love this! Great advice to pass along and you had me at beach village!

    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I know! We actually live at the beach, but there's something mystical about somebody else's town that always makes a journey more fun!

      Delete
  31. Those unexpected trips are the best! We have been on a few of them and they were also unplanned. My husband is a firm believer that all roads will take him where he wants to go, so trying to avoid pile ups of traffic, we have been to a few "excursions" LOL Take care. xxx Maria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Maria, it was fun! I like your husband's attitude. Maybe I need to remember his words! ;)

      Delete
  32. You're so cute! I love the way you roughed it. Gorgeous fur babies, and you don't even have to buy expensive pet food for them. Very cool maze and that sure is my idea of snack booth food! Too bad about missing the tractor ride--maybe you'll do that on your next detour. Don't forget to dress appropriately!

    Dewena

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would've liked that hay ride. I always enjoy getting a tour of the farm with my hot chocolate in hand. Maybe next time!

      Delete
  33. You clever, clever girl!!

    Congratulations to the light winner. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Stacey! It was a fun one to write. ;)

      Delete
  34. The Beach, fuzzy blankets and pillows, Pottery Barn, Vera and Waffles...there is just no day better!
    Loved looking at your photos and reading this post!
    I do love those plates! :)
    Kimberley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love those plates too, Kimberley. They were very worth the price...

      Delete
  35. Lovely post! Sometimes unexpected journeys turn out to be the best ones. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was the best outing we’ve had in a while!! :)

      Delete
  36. Oh my.........I like the RED.............apples too!!!!!
    Seeing your "fuzzy" makes me think....I have one tucked away that Posie cat and I fight over all winter long! If it ever cools off, I need to get it out......Posie will be pleased :^)
    Loved your post AND the sentiment. On Saturday afternoons hubster and I just hop in the truck and go where it takes us....it's always fun!!
    Have a great weekend, and blessings to you,
    J

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We hopped in our truck, too! It was a fun day and one I hope to repeat soon. Of course, since it’ll be planned, it probably won’t be as much fun, but we’ll give it our best shot! ;)

      Delete
  37. Cleverly scripted post, Kim. Not only did the detour give you an even-better-than-planned day out, it gave you fodder for a fun post. Congratulations to Miss Carla! I love her! Hugs, Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nancy! This was a fun one to craft. Sometimes, fun is what it's all about!

      Delete
  38. You are so adorable Kimmie. Truly! This post made me smile lots! xoxo Jen

    ReplyDelete
  39. I must be tired. It took me at least 2 minutes to figure out what you meant LOL

    Missed you <3

    xoxo,
    rue

    ReplyDelete