Off the Beaten Path Is a Mindset
We’re about to head off to about the most not off the beaten path place that you can probably imagine. Truth is, we couldn’t care less how unimaginative our destination may seem.
Our experience will be what we make it.
Recently, we were walking through our hood in Seattle discussing the idea of off the beaten path travel. As pretty constant travelers, there can be a lot of pressure (from others and ourselves) to hit unexplored places in unconventional ways. We tend to get so focused on where we want to go and what we want to do, that we usually pay little attention to that pressure.
So, needless to say, we struggle with the whole idea of off the beaten path travel. Isn’t there the opportunity for something “new” where ever you are? Can’t something seemingly ordinary end up being momentous? Any experience – travel related or otherwise – is what you make it. That’s the conclusion we came to at least.
So, we try to focus on what’s happening in the moment, no matter how grand or simple – no matter how near or far away.
Learning to prepare shima in Zambia.
Preparing a pepper at cooking school in Mexico.
Or joking around about the quality of “college food” when we visited a relative on campus.
They’re all worthwhile food experiences to us.
One day we’re heading to the beach on Bora Bora.
And on another, we’re enjoying a spontaneous play session with our kids on a lake here in Washington. Just kidding… friends’ kids.
We try to find the fun in both types of water experiences.
We value visiting our Senators’ offices to advocate for human rights.
But we also try to take any one-on-one opportunity we can – even on a train in Alaska – to “influence” others’ thoughts on equal rights.
We also like to champion causes here in the streets of Seattle.
Each type of speaking out feels exciting and new to us even though we advocate regularly.
So, that walk the other day was a turning point for us. We now believe, more than ever, that off the beaten path is where ever you are and it’s a mindset. It’s looking at what’s in front of you in a different way, or not. Of course, going to out of the way places in out of the way countries qualifies, too, but it’s important to not discount the unexpected or ordinary that can happen when you’re just doing whatever your doing – at home or on the road.
We’re quite the surprisers lately. We’re heading out the door – to, yes, about the most on the beaten path place in the country – to surprise a couple people for their birthdays. Our ordinary destination will be extraordinary because we’ll let it unfold how it will, and it’ll be different from every other time we’ve visited. That will make it off the beaten path.
Stay tuned for details on how the surprise turns out.
I live in an area considered off the beaten path so imagine my surprise when a new friend suggests a cafe near my place. And you know, it’s on the beaten path and I had never known of it. I sad I just found it though. The spot is hip, a roaster with a huge cafe and gorgeous old warehouse. Lesson learned. Explore the beaten paths because it can offer new sights just the same.
Yes! We’ve found so many “new” places right under our noses here in Seattle, that it’s embarrassing. That cafe sounds cool!
I don’t need to tell you guys how much I believe in this. When something is new to you, it’s off *your* beaten path. And that movement outside of your own personal boundaries is what travel is all about to me. Love.
And we fully believe that unusual/new things can unfold in any moment – new destination or old, traveling or not.
I couldn’t agree more! I remember these old TV commercials (I think for NBC shows) that used to promote their summer reruns by saying “If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s new to you!” There’s definitely a lot of truth in that.
Even if you have “seen it” – there’s still so much more to see and experience. Think of all your visits to Vegas
Folks can spend so much time and effort trying to get some mystical unique “off the beaten path” experience that they become blind to the wonders of the world right around them. Enjoy it all, that’s what I try to do
Great attitude! I’m sure it will be a great surprise for your friends.
Love the post, of course, and especially the fact that you’re so actively outspoken on Human Rights and equal rights (have you considered joining Travel Bloggers Give back?). But really, the main thing I came away from this post with was, “Where can I get a water trampoline like that?!?”
When we pulled up and saw that friends had that trampoline, we knew we HAD to give it a try. Tiring. Dangerous.
Great post! There’s often nothing wrong with “on the beaten path” places – I mean, most of them are popular for a reason! When I think of London, I think of Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussaud’s, the Natural History Museum and the London Eye. All very “on the beaten path” places, but great to explore nonetheless – and they shouldn’t be sneered at.
I went “off the beaten path” in my hometown the other day, and walked down roads and saw places I’ve never seen in my 25 years there! You’re right – it’s a mindset, and it’s all about what experiences are new to you – never mind what anyone else has done before you.
Great post here–love it! I like your approach to ‘off the beaten path’ a lot and see also see the value of being in the moment wherever you are. Cool!
So much of travel is what you make of it – whether it’s off the beaten path or not.
This makes every day “new,” right?
Exactly! And it keeps us from being in that “searching” mindset that keeps us from enjoying the moment.
Insightful post guys. I feel the same way, many of the places that used to feel “off the beaten path” seem quite ordinary to us now. We now find ourselves more intrigued with our own backyard, rather than foreign lands.
With the recent birth of our baby boy, we now feel like parenting is “off the beaten path” because we have no clue where we are going… I guess everything eventually comes full circle!
We feel the exactly the same way about our own backyard (and I BET parenting feels off the beaten path!).
I deal with this issue by not thinking about it at all. I tend to go off the beaten path a lot, but I never feel like I “have to” do that. Most of my trips include big tourist spots and some not-so touristy spots. I just tend to go wherever I feel like it, and let things work out from there.
Wow brilliant to see what you guys get up to on the road. That guy on the Alaskan train doesn’t look to captivated. How was his general response?
What an inspiration you guys are. Keep on going!
His response was actually great. He wasn’t talkative at first but warmed up before too long.
Sometimes the best experiences and the best moments are off the beaten path and sometimes they are in your own backyard. I think what I have learned over the years is to change my perspective when approaching a new place or new travel. Especially when you return to a place you’ve already been. You guys seem to making some awesome footprints!!
Apart from this being a great round-up of previous experiences, you definitely have me intrigued.
When it come to the states and “on the beaten path” I’m thinking Disney. Am I right?
Is there a prize if I am?
Very well said! It’s easy to get so caught up in a destination and all that it has to offer, that you can sometimes forget to enjoy the little moments which are what makes a place “off the beaten” path for you.