Beautiful ocean surf rolling in on rocks.

Can Planning Help? Yes! Will Planning Promise Success? Well …

I made it! I really, really made it! The waves of the Pacific Ocean are lapping at my feet.

Carole, waving, on beach at Bandon, ORHowever, the trip didn’t go as envisioned; it didn’t live up to expectations. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes.

Our travels

Preparation

We planned a 15-day, 1050 mile camping trip, ending with another three days at our son’s place on the way home.

We wanted to again see the Pacific along the Oregon coast. I lived near the ocean growing up and some as an adult, and I grew to love watching the waves. I had a passionate urgency to see it once again.

For five years, Joe and I wanted to return and camp by the ocean again, but each year our plans fell through. This year, the desire became an essential emotional necessity.

So, we prepared. Joe readied the pickup and trailer and did all the packing. I figured out the itinerary, made reservations, and planned meals.

And, then the trip

We traveled down the east side of the Cascade Mountains, across to the coast and back up to Washington, and straight across to our town.

We spent nights 2, 3, and 4 at our favorite camp, but that turned out to be a bust. My planning didn’t work out. First, I messed up on the sites I reserved: they had to be the all-time worst campsites we’ve ever had. Next, smoke from forest fires meant time spent inside, not out.

But, finally! Peace! Quiet! Solitude. Beautiful nature. Campsite we love. Nights 5 & 6 were fantastic! Beautiful Diamond Lake was just that: beautiful!

On to the Coast

Our coastal campsites ranged from okay to great.

However, several problems surfaced.

My weakness was worse than expected, complicating everything. Although I scheduled rest days (no travel), they weren’t enough.

Adapting for the cold: Carole bundled up on her scooterThe cool weather bothered me more than anticipated, so I couldn’t enjoy the outdoors as desired. (Picture: me bundled up: winter underwear, sweatshirt, jacket, hat, 2 jackets on legs.)

Most importantly, we weren’t as close to the ocean as I had expected. Trails I had assumed were accessible weren’t.Sandy trail going uphill; totally inaccessible

These all culminated on day ten in seeming disaster. Five days still to go! Oh no! I can’t stand the thought. I’m more than tired — what most people mean by tired. Exhausted is more like it. But that doesn’t even adequately describe it. It hurts to move. I’m weak. Thank You, God, for my helpmate, my husband, Joe. The one who assists me when I can’t stand by myself or get up the step to the trailer. The one who takes over the few chores I could do. The one who reminds me we can go home if needed, only a two-day trip. Thank God, though, for the second wind He gave me; I made the last five days reasonably well.

How about you?

So, when you travel, do you plan? Does it always go according to plan? Do you assess how it went when you get home?

I think the more limited we are in our abilities, the more we need to plan. But, we also need to remember to be flexible. We also should evaluate our experiences to see where we can improve.

Lessons learned

The Bad

  • Weakness
    • If I had honestly gauged my strength, we could have prepared better.
  • Inaccessible trails to the beach
    • I should have called the parks to check accessibility.
  • Not enough rest between travel days
    • Next time, we’ll do a shorter trip, staying longer at each place.

The Good

  • Making reservations
    • Meant knowing our campsite would be there when we arrived even if we didn’t know what it’d look like.
    • We didn’t have to hurry, and it decreased stress when delayed.
  • Limiting travel
    • I planned each day’s travel for less than 200 miles because travel exhausts me.
    • We adapt the seat, so I can rest. Joe helps me get into the pickup when I’m fatigued.

And the Surprises

  • Weather:
    • Colder than expected.
    • That was out of our control; all we could do was improvise.
  • Mechanical trouble:
    • A wire worked loose causing electrical problems.
    • Again, out of our control; strangers stopped and helped, but a three-hour day turned into seven.

Bottom line

So, was it worth it? Yes.

Would I do it again? No.

But, I’m glad I did it. I finally saw the ocean again even though not as often as I wanted and not up close and personal.

 

Ocean waves at the beach.

Let’s hear from you!

What experiences have you had in travels?

 

More Info

Check out my other posts about camping experiences.

Camping with a disability? identifies specifics to think about.

This article originates in the UK, but its tips work for US camping, too.

 

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2 Comments

  1. Great post. It’s so hard to prepare for any event, let alone travel. Our last real vacation was down in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico and it was a nightmare. The plane alone was enough to wreck me, but of course the food and heat didn’t help much either. The good thing about writing and reflecting on these experiences for our readers is that we have a reference for next time, because years later we often forget just how bad it was and decide to attempt it again. I haven’t gotten there yet, but the itch to travel is still with me 🙂

    • Thanks for the thoughts. I hadn’t thought to look back on this in the future, so I don’t make the same mistake twice.

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