I love traveling partly because it pushes me out of my comfort zone. I cater to my ADHD and Autism in my trip planning. My autistic side loves knowing what to expect, researching, and planning trips. I also plan unstructured time for my impulsive ADHD side. When traveling there’s always something that doesn’t go to plan, it rubs my autistic side raw but I think it helps keep me flexible.
The next 3 days of our trip had the most travel mishaps. We had other things go wrong but these were the hardest to let go of.
As we left Toronto traffic was so bad we were just trying to find the easiest way out of downtown. We did see the bartender from the night before walking his dog though.
We were halfway to New York by the time I realized we left my Acadia guidebook at the hotel. I was devastated. I had spent hours making notes in it. It was hard for me but I let it go once we got to New York. I drove through the Adirondacks to Whiteface Mountain, it was so fun and helped me forget.
we stopped at cobble lookout, it was beautiful and I wanted to use the camera I rented for the first time. I forgot to put in the memory card so I only have this video from my phone.
After that, we headed to Vermont to see family friends. We went to Burlington with them the next day. I got another copy of the guidebook and wanted to check out a gelato shop. They make it themselves and apparently close for the day when they run out. We were there 2-3 hours before close, we’ll have to go earlier next time.
The next morning we started driving to Maine and stopped for a coffee a few hours in. My mom realized she lost her credit card in Burlington. I took over driving while she canceled and ordered a new card.
On our way to Maine, we stopped at a few waterfalls and gorges in White Mountain Forest in New Hampshire.
The last hike we did was Champney Falls, an out-and-back trail that I thought was 3 miles roundtrip but was 3 miles one way. The White Mountain Forest was the one part of the trip I didn’t research a ton. Always thoroughly research hiking trails, lesson learned. Luckily my mom was a great trouper and hiker.
The trail is full of water crossings that were slightly challenging and fun. We kept wondering when we’d get to the end of the trail. The hike was so enjoyable that it was the highlight for us, not the waterfall.
This is the longest trip I’ve planned. I was surprised at how angry and unsettled the mishaps and hiccups made me. I think I’m a better Traveller and a more flexible person for the experience. I hope travel continues to shape me.
