It’s All About the Journey
“Really? You’re kidding me. Just what we need. God dammit!”
Overhearing the flight attendant talking to the captain, we knew it wasn’t good news. She tried her best to recover and inject a friendly bounce into her re-packaged delivery for passengers.
“Hi, folks. Once again we’re happy to have ya on board. The captain has just informed me that we have a mechanical issue, so we’re gonna be pulling back up to the gate. He’ll have more information for you at that time.”
When we got back near the gate, we understood her seemingly over the top frustration. We looked out the window and saw a fire truck and a team of inspectors waiting for our 737. So comforting.
Because this isn’t a post dedicated solely to our flight, I’ll leave out the nitty gritty details and skip right to the end. One of our engines had a problem that apparently involved fire and danger. Not what we expected.
It got taken care of, and we eventually made it up to Fairbanks, Alaska. But that was only the beginning of a day that proved the inherent truth in an often thrown around statement.
It’s about the journey.
Certain events / days / moments in life are a reminder that if you’re too tied to expectations and results, you’re making a mistake. So, we perpetually practice making the most of the process – the journey – and not getting too wrapped around the axle when things get glitchy. Sometimes it works.
Plane scare behind us and renewed attitude in place, we enthusiastically made our way to baggage claim and the car rental counter. At this point, we needed to move swiftly to our hotel and head back out to load up on food and other supplies in preparation for our early morning departure for some lakeside camping and adventure.
The disinterested and all about business car rental representative sent us away with a “I’ve marked a couple scrapes here on the sheet. It’s important that everything is accurate. Just give me a call if you find anything else. No need to come back in.”
Hauling all of our bags and backpacking stuff across the massive parking lot, I noticed something on the rental contract that foretold of what was to come.
I stopped and said: “Have we ever had a rental car with 54000 miles on it? How can there be only a ‘couple scrapes’ on it?”
The next block of time was dedicated to chronicling every chip, scratch and dent on our not-suitable-as-a-rental car. We then visited the rental agent – in person – to go ding by ding over everything. We half-hoped that we’d simply be assigned to another car. Turns out all of the available options were majorly beat up.
Note to selves: Never rent a car via a no-name player in the car rental business.
After removing the last renter’s trash (did I mention that it wasn’t cleaned either), it was much later than hoped. Oh, and the dull roar accompanying the car every time it was in “drive” was not making us feel well prepared for off the beaten path travel in Alaska.
Checked in at our hotel, we walked down the badly lit hospital like corridor towards our room. When we got close to our door we were stupefied. There was glass and gunk all over a wall and on the floor. It looked like someone had heaved a bowl of grade-A Alaska beef stew at the wall. We gave each other the “people will never believe this” look.
When we entered the room, we decided that we had booked an expensive campsite for the night and would be sleeping in our sleeping bags on the bed. Yes. That bad.
Having said all of that about our big opening day in Alaska, what we’re really bummed about is the weather.
As I write this, we’re all ready to go out into the backcountry. The only problem is…. we can’t. It’s about 50 degrees out and there’s a brutal rainstorm hanging over the region. We have good quality camping equipment, but not the kind that can combat this kind of storm.
We’re in a bit of a holding pattern, sitting in a Safeway getting some work done, warming up with a cup of coffee and somehow hoping that the weather will rapidly turn a corner.
A few minutes ago, we decided that we’re going to embrace this. We’re going to fully accept what is because we can’t change it. And, really, it’s no big deal. It’s just a different kind of adventure.
We have everything we need: our trashed rental car, our don’t-walk-on-the-carpet-barefoot hotel room and no script.
We are lucky, even in this situation.
8/23 UPDATE: Since writing this, we settled on a Plan B and traveled SE to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. With 13 million acres, it’s the largest NP in the system. Perfect for NP fanatics like us. All is good.
Your choice to embrace the adventure and take it in stride is exactly what I just posted about! (http://www.ytravelblog.com/bulletproof-your-vacation/)
You guys truly are seasoned travelers to embrace this situation you’re in! Best of luck and enjoy your time there!
We’re having a blast no matter what.
Oh, I hope the weather gets better and your trip improves! Alaska is just so wonderful.
Thanks, Jan – it already has (see update above). We’ve actually had a lot of fun having to wing it.
Glad to hear that Safeway provides a safe haven. Shame about the crap weather though…
Yes, Safeway is not a bad place to chillax. Food? Check. WiFi? Check. Warmth? Check. People Watching? Check.
You both have such great attitudes about your experiences. I’m sure the trip will be amazing.
Thanks, Lisa. It really is amazing no matter what (no joke!). Check out the update above. We’ve switched things up and continue to enjoy what comes our way.
Yay for the internet! Can you imagine how bummed you’d be without it? And coffee in cold weather — doubly excellent!
Have a great time guys.
Word. That’s why we have no real reason to get too bummed. We’re safe, warm, fed.
No coffee? I can’t imagine anything worse. Seattle is home base, you know… it’s in our blood.
“We’re going to fully accept what is because we can’t change it” is how I felt when my flight was delayed and things weren’t going well at the start of my trip to Europe. Your right no need to get worked up over things that are out of your control. I’m glad y’all have everything to weather the storm, crappy hotel and car are a necessity…lol!!! Hope the rain clears up and yall can get on the road ASAP. Safe travels out in the wild y’all!!!
Thanks, Jaime. Whatever happens is really no HUGE deal. Who are we to complain?
After the initial disappointment, it’s actually been pretty easy to readjust and go with the flow. We thank the liquor store for our new and improved outlook
Ahhh yes liquor stores always help…lol!!! Glad you made a change of plans and things are looking better. Its always change of plans that end up being better than the original!
Don’t worry. This trip has “great story” written all over it.
Exactly, Robin! And that’s true for more than this blog…
During the worst of the rain, we pitched the story to editors and got 4 offers. We are going to go with the highest. She said they’ll double the offer if, at some point during the adventure, we have to kill an animal to survive.
I kid.
Glad to hear that you guys finally made to the Alaska! Have some great time and enjoy!
Thanks – appreciate it!
Your ability to keep that attitude is incredible. I always tell myself to think like this and not get upset about things I cannot control, but it is really hard.
I am sure you will be rewarded for your positivity and patience during the rest of your trip.
Thanks, Stephanie. It is very difficult. That first day was a rough one attitude wise. We kept having to check ourselves.
There are certainly days like that! And what a perfect demonstration of the importance of a sense of humor! Your journey begins with enough “baggage” to make it one of the most memorable!
Grit your teeth and hang onto the ledge! We’re pullin’ for you!
Thanks, Steven. Yes, we try to bring out the humor in major doses during these situations. Honestly, the new path we are taking (see update above) is looking like an exceptional option. Amazing how things might actually turn out better this way. Mind boggling how life works at times.
I think what you need is a little lovin’ this weekend from adventureswithben.
But do something about the rain first!
We still can’t believe that our paths are just going to happen to cross. In Alaska. What the heck?!
Last evening, we put in an order for sunshine with the Powers That Be. We got an auto-response indicating that they would get back to us with an answer as soon as possible. Looks like they are pretty backed up. We’ll let you know.
Ahh, curveballs are what travel is all about, right? I know you guys will still manage to have a blast!
We will (are!).
I usually look up to the skies and think positive so I’m looking out my window for you guys now hoping for the weather to clear up. Have a funtastic time!
Thanks, David!
Oh lordy….it sounds like the two of you need a hug. Drats….I know that the rest of the trip will amazingly fantastic to make up for the comedy of errors thrust upon you thus far. The gods have declared it so.
Are you deifying yourself and speaking of yourself in the third person plural?!
Go on witch yo’ bad self.
The rest of the trip is already shaping up to be much better!
Happy to read the update and see that all is well in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. You guys really have the right attitude. I can usually stay pretty positive, but the glass and gunk in the hotel room might have been the last straw for me. Also agree that it’s best not to rent from no-name car rental agencies — there are enough problems with the big name ones.
So true about rental agencies. Seriously, if we get rid of this rental with no big “mystery charges” it will be a miracle. We’ll keep you posted.
You guys rock! Love the positive attitude! It really does sound like quite an adventure! The moments that challenge us really define us don’t they? I just came across a new favorite quote…
“The ability to adapt is more important than the ability to plan.”
Liane – You are a quote a minute. Love them all! This one goes on the bulletin board.
no matter what the weather, i think putting a little umbrella in your drink always makes the situation brighter.
and as i sit working for airbus, i would say next time dont fly a boeing! ha.
Good to CYA in case the boss reads this blog. Having said that, we are from Seattle, so our home peeps would burn our townhouse down if we allowed an anti-boeing statement to be left unmatched.
And umbrellas are for beginners. That toothpick just takes up room in the drink.
It’s like I’m there! I love Alaska, but every trip has been fraught with some mishap or another, from start to finish. At some point it always goes “off itinerary.” So glad you guys got some sunshine!
We want stories!
I constantly have to remind myself that if something goes wrong it’s no big deal and I need to look at the bigger picture. It sounds like you guys have already figured that out.
No, we have not figured that out entirely. This adventure has been a reminder that practice is important.
I’m glad you are making the best of things. I know it can be hard sometimes. I may have another bright side to look at for you. At least they HAD a car for you when you arrived! When we arrived at Yellowstone, the car rental company we booked with said, “Didn’t you get the message we left on your voicemail 2 hours ago? (While we were on a plane heading to Yellowstone) “We don’t have a car for you. You can check back tomorrow and we may or may not have one available.” That was a fun one to deal with.
So what happened??? Don’t leave us hanging
Lol. Sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you guys hanging.
The other rental car companies were either booked or $300 more, but we found a really nice lady at Dollar Renta Car who felt bad for us and offered to rent us the pick up truck that they were currently at the dealership buying. It was still more expensive, but only about $150 more. We waited a few hours at the airport while they bought the car and rented it to us.
It was definitely a journey because we brought a ton of camping gear with us and trying to fit it all into the tiny cab of the pick up truck was hilarious. We couldn’t put it in the back because it rained off and on. I found myself jealous of all the campers who had a car with backseats where they could keep all of their stuff. We were constantly pulling our crap out and repacking it every time we needed to get something out.
We had a blog post ready to go live when we got back from the trip about our experience, but I decided to give the rental company a chance to make things right. Corporate was a lot more apologetic and friendly than the lady who I spoke with in Bozeman at the rental agency who screwed us. When I told her we were stranded, these were her exact words… “That’s the chance you take when you don’t rent from the airport branch.”
Maybe I should still post the story on our blog, but since corporate compensated us by paying the extra charges, I don’t feel it’s right to name the company even though we probably won’t rent from them again.
We discovered Safeway at the end of our RV trip and it became our BFF 4evah. We’d stock up on groceries, use their wifi (and more importantly, charge our computers), then go sleep in their parking lot! Win-win-win.
Bummer about the string of “oh crap” situations you’ve been having, though. When it rains it pours…. and as great at Safeways are, they just can’t fix everything.
No, Safeway can’t fix everything, but a Signature Sandwich goes a long way in curing all. Italian Garden. Extra sauce. Warm.
Whoa, sorry to hear about all the trials and tribulations! But the reality is no matter how well you plan, a trip can go wrong and it’s not always roses no matter the color of your glasses.
Hope you got a better hotel room!
I look forward to hearing what you ended up doing.
Wait until you hear what happened regarding the hotel room. Too detailed for a comment, but we’ll get into it in a post. Seriously hilarious (now that a couple of days have passed!).
Good read, but I’m nervous that the story isn’t finished yet, even though the attitude is in the right place! Bonne continuation!
Thanks, John. All is cool, we have moved on to Plans B and C. Lots to share.
Part of the fun of travel is getting a truly terrible experience like this and embellishing it over time.
In a few years you’ll be able to tell people how you had to change the tire on the car just to get out of the parking lot and fend off crazed junkies in the hallway just to get to your unheated and rat-infested Alaskan hotel room to wait out the blizzard so you could camp.
I tell you, it is your DUTY to endure experiences like this, and it kinda pisses me off that you remain so positive about it.
Your strategy backfired. Making us laugh out loud is certainly not going to make us less positive.
Oh, I’m so glad you changed locations. All I could think of was “Does that mean they have to stay at that gross hotel even longer?” Good decision!
You guys are just awesome. I mean, that’s pretty much it. You guys are really awesome.
Hey guys! I don’t seem to have been following you much but enough people have recommended you and your site to me that I thought I’d finally chime in and say hello!
Really like this story and I can definitely get behind the idea that you just have to embrace the adventures you can’t change. It’s almost always for the better.
You two are always so positive! Sorry to hear about the problems you are having. I have so been there, sleeping in a sleeping bag on top of the bed. Not fun. But I am sure that your up beat attitudes made for an amazing trip. Cheers.
Safeways and Piggly Wigglys have been lifesavers for me while traveling cross-country. Love the attitude!! Come to Vegas….