Thank God for Travel Plans That Are "Written in Jello"

As travelers who seldom plan too far ahead, we are grateful for the flexibility that van life gives us. We will often joke that our travel plans are ...

Written in Jello

... soft, jiggly, and subject to change at a moment's notice.

At least, that’s how we prefer to think of it. But when that theory actually gets put to the test, it turns out to be a bit trickier than it sounds.

When we left Tucson two weeks ago, our "semi-solid" plans were to meet up with other snowbird friends in Phoenix before heading southwest towards the Baja California peninsula of Mexico.

We looked forward to enjoying a delightful BBQ lunch with dear friends escaping the Minnesota cold,

and feasting on grilled chicken while overlooking the golf course with some of our former biking buddies.

That afternoon, however, we received the call that would liquefy those semi-solid plans. Doug's brother had passed away unexpectedly back in Michigan. In the midst of this shocking news, we found the kindness of friends who allowed us to keep the Baby Beest parked in front of their house,

... and were treated to a personalized "Uber" ride to the airport accompanied by their poodle who somehow knew that he was now upgraded to an "emotional support" pup. 

Once again, flexibility allowed us to quickly exchange cacti-lined desert roads for snow-covered country roads.

It had been a long time since these snowbirds came so close to getting their feathers frozen. I think that the winter winds decided to pick up in order to give us a hardy Michigan greeting as we stepped out of the Detroit airport. And then they thought ... let's add a light dusting of snow and frost on the windshield just so our visitors can try out that ice scraper in the back of the rental car. But I have to admit (quietly) that the winter landscape holds a special kind of beauty.

As we gathered to support family, we were grateful that our "Jello plans" always turn out to be the best plans.

The road of life is often filled with many questions of what direction to go. We take comfort in knowing that our #1 Guide is always leading us exactly where we're supposed to be.

As we sat at our Airbnb and looked out at the frozen landscape, a flash of red caught my eye. 

Unlike migratory birds that fly south,

the strong and hardy cardinal sticks winter out,

as if to show us that,

even on life's grayest days,

beauty and hope remain.

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