68% Wiggle Room

First off ignore the title for now. We we get to that later. It is about that time again for my team and I to set off on another adventure. I couldn't tell you exactly where we are going but it will either be to the Apostle Islands or somewhere in Northern Minnesota. If someone can make a case for somewhere better within the driving rage of a weekend trip maybe well consider it. In my opinion this is how trips should be. No overly planning, no buying unnecessary gear and most of all not spending a lot of money. When you spend hours and days planning trips they become so scheduled. Going on trips are supposed to to bring you away from your average scheduled week type of living and let you be free. Keep the scheduling to a minimum! This method allows for relaxing and "in the moment" type of living where you slowly shy away from any stress you might be feeling. You do exactly what you want to do. Now I understand this may be hard for some people but when you break down the reasons why you think it is hard you might find it isn't so difficult after all.

First thing I get from first timers is "where are we going to sleep?" Well to answer this question there is a very logical way of looking at this one. My answer is, the best spot I can find. This means, first I'm going to try to set up camp where ever I'm exploring so that could be a beach, top of a mountain or in the woods (Personally I'll take the beach every time). Next if you can't find a spot that you're comfortable with you always have the car to sleep in. When its time for bed you should fall right asleep anyway from all the awesome activity you packed into your day. In general you might just be overthinking things and letting that get in the way of living a unrestricted lifestyle. Let everything fall into place. When you get to a point in your life where you can make everything a fun situation. Everything will be exactly that, fun. No stress.

The next question I will get is "What are we going to eat?" Now most of the time I understand people can't keep up with me on this one but it is worth a try. Canned food is the answer. Bring some canned soup, canned veggies and you could be set for months. I'll always tell the story of the time I woke up on top of McAfee Knob as the sun was rising I opened a can of some cold soup and I swear to god it was the best tasting soup I've ever had. So maybe you'll enjoy it better if you're in an exotic location. After that (this is where I'm really going to lose some of you) just don't eat so much. I'm normally so consumed in having, running around in a new area and taking photographs that I lose my appetite. I'm naturally a high energy person so I can go a few days on a meal or two. I genuinely think I've developed this situational appetite from being content with things. I don't complain much and neither should you. Most of us have a million things to be happy for in our own lives and you should implement that happiness everyday.

This finally brings me to the title of this blog post, "68% Wiggle Room." This quote came from a conversation between a good buddy and myself. I needed a 4th guy for this upcoming trip and I asked him to come. After further discussion he asked how much of the trip was planned. I jokingly replied 32% and he responded, "you always need that 68% of wiggle room." Which of course made me laugh out loud but also made me think there might be some truth to this joke. It is important to leave yourself with "wiggle room" or maybe just don't plan as much just have some concepts let them flow and see where you end up. I promise this method will bring you the best memories you'll ever have. Also this method will help you get out an not just continue to talk about it.