Day 3: Taking a Detour in Journey
From Salt Lake City to Jackson
Today we left Salt Lake City behind and headed to Jackson, Wyoming. While going straight to Denver is a close direct route, this particular detour is intended to allow us to visit Yellowstone National Park.
In our daily lives, we are often forced to take detours when roads are under construction. However, I want to highlight a detour in life where we proactively make a change from the expected path. Detours may initially seem like setbacks that divert us from our intended routes and plans. Yet they often lead to the most rewarding experiences, pushing us out of our comfort zones and into new realms of discovery.
Reflecting on my own life's journey, I recall my personal experience of leaving my career at SOM after successfully contributing to the highly visible San Francisco International Airport Terminal Building, where the seismic base isolation application is the best showcase for my doctoral expertise in structural engineering. Such a change essentially abandoned my 20 years of professional training and practice in structural engineering and required me to completely restart, reset, and refocus on a new career in Silicon Valley in 2000.
“Was it easy to make such a change?” The answer is no. However, detours, both literal and metaphorical, often come with a mix of uncertainty and excitement. They require us to adapt, to navigate unfamiliar territory, and to embrace the unknown. It is through these detours that I often find my most profound moments of growth and insight. They teach me resilience, patience, and the importance of staying open to new possibilities.
"Did you feel comfortable after the change?" Again, no. I fought all the way. Just like I was bitten several times by mosquitoes today in Grand Teton National Park while trying to get scenic shots on the old trails at Jenny Lake and and the Grand Teton Park Road on the way back from the summit of Signal Mountain. They attacked me from all directions while I was standing still, which is supposed to be the best position to hold the camera... The pain and blood from the bites is the latest reminder of the old adage: no pain, no gain!
I am now staying at The Lodge at Jackson Hole, which provides a restful night and a chance to reflect on the importance of taking detours in my old days. These pauses and deviations from my planned career allow me to reconnect with myself and my true surroundings. They have provided opportunities for exploration and discovery that I might otherwise have missed, including my early retirement.
Life's detours are not just about changing direction; they are about expanding our horizons and enriching our experiences. They remind us that the path to our destination is not always a straight line, but a series of twists and turns that add depth and meaning to our life journeys.
This deliberate detour into Yellowstone tomorrow is a celebration of life's unpredictability and the incredible experiences that come from taking the scenic route, both literally and figuratively.
My friend, what kind of detour have you taken or planned?
I've read this several times and each time find faith and courage to face life's new challenges. Thanks for the encouragement.
You are a writer, thinker and philosopher!