Detours, what to do when your path is blocked.

'Four trucks have blown over due to gusting wind, there's no way through, you'll have to backtrack to 365,' the yellow-vest clad DOT guy said as he waved us back the way we came.

Two pick-ups blocked the road with their orange lights flashing with several more coming up from behind us. Another 50 or 60 miles out of our way...we'd already had to choose a roundabout path to get to Reno for my sisters AKC (American Kennel Club) competition. Snow and nasty weather in the mountains meant we had to have snow-chains for our car, and my parents couldn't justify getting them for the one-time use, so swinging wide was our only choice.

We'd been on the road since 7a.m. and it was close to 3p.m. It had been non-stop rain, clouds and gusting wind the entire day. Flipping between my dad and I at the wheel made it easier, but we were a bit tired by this point, and with our destination so close we kind of threw up our hands in frustration. Google maps said the only way by was the way the man had said, a turn off to another highway in a town completely the opposite direction. Before we heeded the mans advice we decided to take a quick breather at a nearby gas station to refuel and regroup. Tension was a bit high in the car and we needed a break.

'There might be another way,' my dad said as he hopped back into the car and behind the wheel.

A chance conversation with a local gas station attendant as he paid had revealed a potential side-road that would allow us to avoid a nasty backtrack. 'Another way?' I said zooming in close on my Google maps to see what he was talking about.

A thin gray line that swung wide and parallel to our original route seemed to end where we needed it to. It looked a bit shady...no real identifying marks on the map, but it existed. ...someone who lived in the area said it was cool, and, looking at our vehicle said it would be no problem. In his Mustang, probably, but not our SUV. Definitely reassuring. But, our family had taken some interesting roads in the past and from his description it sounded no worse than what we'd down before.

---

When we finally did find the turn off he was talking about, I'll admit, there was a moment of hesitation as we saw a vehicle ahead of us pull over and stop. But, my dad being my dad, and with my encouragement, we forged ahead. My mom just kind of shook her head.

---

Mud, stones, deep ditches, sharp turns, cars coming on full blast from the other way (locals), more gusting wind, low visibility as waves of rain made it's way across the flat rocky zone, and this unnerving feeling of being on another planet...we'll I'd say it made us second guess our decision a couple times, but, it didn't.

We actually had a blast. Well, there were a couple times my mom and I grabbed on for dear life as my dad had a bit too much fun but it was a completely unexpected awesomeness.

That happens a lot in our travels...detours.

My family has gotten really good at dealing with walls that spring up in our way as we wind our way around the world. Since I was a kid we've been together in some pretty awesome places. And I've been in some pretty crazy places myself. To get to and enjoy those awesome places you sometimes have to jump through some pretty crazy hoops. Delays, cancelations, issues, gah, you name it and we've likely had to deal with it. But, we've always found a way around, a way through, and usually done it with a smile on our faces. Sometimes a grimace or three. But, the thing is that we've always made it through.

Life loves to do that. Throw up walls in your way. And people will tell you about the route you should take to get around them. But, listening to them usually leads to a lot of backtracking, wasted time, and a delay in getting to where you want to get to. I can't even tell you how many times I've had something like this happen...a blocked path, people telling me what I should do and I've wasted a lot of time listening and acting right away instead of doing the smart thing.

When those blocks come up, of course listen to people, but take time to look around, to ask around, to find alternatives on your own.

People will love to give you advice, tell you what's best, based upon assumptions they make about you and off of their own lives. But, they aren't you, and I doubt they truly know or recognize your capabilities. And, like I said, that can lead to a lot of wasted time trying to fit solutions meant for others into your problems, whether they be on the road or in life.

We definitely had an adventure on that side road. Sliding, skidding, the ups and downs through washed out ditches. It was worth it, taking the risk. The time we saved, the fun we had, the detour we took. That's usually how it works. Instead of letting the walls in your life stop you, or listening to people who probably won't give you the best advice, and finding your own path, you usually end up in a much better place...or at least getting on a better path that's closer to what you want.

This analogy kinda breaks down since both paths would have ended up in the same place...but I think you get the point I'm trying to drive home. (Like that? The pun I mean ;) ) When your paths blocked, find your own way through or around. That means taking into account as much information you can get. It also means taking responsibilities for your decisions. I mean, had our vehicle gotten into an accident, that would have ben our fault. So, be prepared for that as well. But, as an adult, you should be ready to do that anyways, hehe.

Hope y'all enjoyed this quick story about our detour on the way to Reno! Looks like I just booked a gig for the evening so I need to get going and prepare.
Michael