If you have followed A Full Life long or are one of my social media friends, you know our family loves adventures. The middle of July, Paul, Jayme, and I found ourselves on the road to places still yet undiscovered, at least by us. After a year and a half of fostering our little June Bug and homeschooling our granddaughter, Hero, our little family of three set out to see something new, regroup, and make some memories.
We headed north
We chose the UP in Michigan as our destination, packed up the car, and set out. There were no other firm plans apart from staying in a cottage for the middle of our time away. “Let’s see what that is” was our approach to traveling on this trip. We decided to investigate anything that piqued our interest. It turned out to be so much fun. We drove less traveled roads, hiked to waterfalls, strolled along the shores of lakes as big as oceans, visited old friends, ate good food, poked around places of history, saw miles and miles of wildflowers, and were surprised by a few forest critters.
without a plan
One of our fun finds was the town of Schell City, Missouri, population 249. You can see why the name caught our attention. I just happened across while looking at a road atlas. (Yes, they still make them.) We pulled off the main highway and made our way across the backroads to the town that boasted our family name just for fun.
The town itself had a few houses, old and new, no businesses to speak of, and a small park. We stopped to give our little gal a break from the car. The play equipment hailed for the days of my childhood, probably older, but Jayme didn’t care a bit. She was glad for the opportunity to play. Paul and I ended up reminiscing about our childhoods. Our stop in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere provided a chance to slow down our thoughts, enjoy the moment, and learn something new about each other.
and enjoyed every minute.
Now, I know Schell City isn’t really on anyone else’s bucket list of ‘must-see places,’ but I would like to encourage you to engage in a little Unscheduled Wandering of your own. It has helped us be more relaxed and open to new ideas and destinations. It also has enabled us to set aside expectations and feel more satisfied. It left us with little or no regrets about how we spent our time. We had no plan except to enjoy what came our way, and we did just that. Isn’t that what all great trips are all about? Go ahead. Try it. You won’t be sorry and perhaps you might just find a little happiness along the way.
Photo Gallery
Bond Falls, Michigan 
Bond Falls 
Eagle Harbor, Michigan 
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse 
Lake Superior View 
Cottage at Eagle Harbor. 
A Beaver Lodge 
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park 
Copper Harbor, Michigan 
Yummy Pasty 
Laura Ingalls Wayside Cabin
Pepin, Wisconsin
Hedge Maze 
Clark Tower 
Cutler-Donahue Covered Bridge 
Portage Lake Vertical Lift Bridge
Keweenaw, Michigan
Wanderlust (n.) : a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world.
Gorgeous photos!!! Yes, sometimes unplanned adventures are the best. Thanks for the inspiration here, Patty.
What a sweet post Ms. Patty. You took me back to some of my favorite times as a young boy when I would go out an wander the woods all day. To find abandoned houses, forts, encampments, arrowheads, and so much in nature to explore. Even copperheads! LOL If a young fella were to do that today, they’d have a five-state manhunt out looking for me. Going where the heart takes you. I like that thought!
My siblings and I used to do that very thing. We would roam the woods until lunch and then back out again till dark. We made up all kinds of games. It was the best childhood. Thanks for stopping by. It’s always a pleasure.
Sounds like a memorable trip. I love road trips with minimal agendas. We took such a trip to Utah and other to New Mexico, and enjoyed both immensely.
I absolutely love this post! And I love your blog. Also, the little cutie tops the cake. I could use a bit of wandering in my life. Last Sunday, I wanted to do something I hadn’t done in a while…..go to the beach. I asked my family which opted out. Let’s just say, I never made it. But, I’m putting it back in my plans. 🙂 Blessings!
Thank you! I hope you make it to the beach soon. Wandering is good for the soul.