Sheer Dumb Luck
We finally, after years of waiting, had enough snow for cross-country skiing in western Pennsylvania. XC skiing is a nice change of pace from my usual cycling, running and swimming, so I like to take advantage of it when I can. After a few outings to my local park, my wife and I decided to look further afield. A quick web search identified a few good cross-country ski options within a two-hour drive.
We focused on the Erie area to make a quick weekend getaway. A lodge near Erie has groomed trails and flat to rolling terrain. My wife prefers flat, so that was a good option. Another option was skiing some ungroomed trails on Presque Isle, a flat peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie. I had heard about the lodge before, but had never been there, so that became our primary target, with Presque Isle a second option.
The ski conditions might have been great, but the roads, not so much. As we approached the lodge, the main roads were modestly snow-covered, but when it came to the final back road up to the lodge, it had not yet been plowed. The road clearly snaked up a large hill. Probably best not to risk it. We retreated 20 miles to a restaurant with WIFI to have lunch and check with the lodge. They assured me the conditions were great, but suggested that I try approaching from the north rather than south, saying, “It’s hilly, but the roads are straighter.”
Attempt number two didn’t fare any better. The initial roads weren’t bad, but it got worse from there. Again, the final approach roads were unattended with only a few tire tracks breaking through the fresh snow cover. We made it up one small hill with no problem, but we crested it only to see a major rollercoaster of a hill and a lot of white – but it was straight. We skidded to a stop and assessed our options. Was it worth the risk of getting snow bound? Uh, no. Time to turn around (carefully) and head to Presque Isle.
Nearly an hour later we were cruising along the peninsula’s snow-covered road. We hadn’t looked into the ski trail detail (since it was our second choice), but remembered that there was supposedly a ski rental cabin in the central picnic area. No sign of it. No sign of other cross-country skiers, either. We are about to give up when I spotted a blue XC Ski sign half covered with snow pointing to right. We turned in to find a snow-covered parking lot with one lone car in a distant corner.
As we approached, we saw a solitary figure bending over, tending to his skis. We eased in and struck up a conversation. He was there to ski a few miles. There are trails nearby. We are welcome to follow his tracks. And about the ski lodge, “Yeah, that road to the lodge can be tricky – lost a car in a snow bank there once.” Good decision on our part not to risk it. We got our skis out and by the time we were ready, he was out of sight. We had a good time skiing through the woods on the flat trails, and even popped out to look across frozen Lake Erie. It turned out to be a very nice outing.
So what’s the point here? I want to introduce you to what my wife and I call Sheer Dumb Luck. We generally apply it to travel situations, but it can come into play at almost any time in life. Sometimes it is intentional. Sometimes it just happens. It’s not a matter of simply casting our fate to the wind; rather, it is more along the lines of organized spontaneity and trusting that going by feel will pan out. Oh, and not giving up along the way.
The basis of Sheer Dumb Luck is that not planning things too specifically leaves you open to all kinds of interesting experiences. Consider our ski outing. Our first attempt didn’t work out. We regrouped and tried again. Still no luck. Regroup and go in another direction. Now the Sheer Dumb Luck kicks in. On the verge of giving up in frustration, we found the right parking lot at just the right time. A couple minutes earlier or later and we would not have met up with our informative ski friend. That’s really quite amazing when you step back and think about it. If any of the preceding things hadn’t happened the way they did, it wouldn’t have worked out. And that sort of thing happens more than you would think. Fate? Divine Providence? Sheer Dumb Luck? Hey, either way, we’ll take it.
So how does it work? I don’t think it’s pure chance or just showing up. We start by researching the places we go and the types of things we like to see and do. We gather ideas and options of what will be at hand. We may have a Plan A, but we also have our eyes open for other options, known or not, and follow our feelings. You never really know what something will be like until you get there. And sometimes the best laid plans go awry (like snow-covered roads). But being open to options and looking for signs can still lead to satisfying results.
We took unplowed roads as a sign and didn’t force our way into trouble just because that path was what we had originally planned. We also didn’t give up when our primary plan didn’t pan out. Rather, we pivoted to something else that was acceptable by keeping our options in play and our eyes open to more signs. Literally. If I hadn’t been looking for a ski sign, I certainly wouldn’t have noticed it hidden in the snow drift.
Another way of thinking about Sheer Dumb Luck is considering it as making your own luck. It doesn’t happen without a little preparation and putting yourself in the position for it to work. If you’re not open to it, you won’t find it.
And then there’s the back-end side of Sheer Dumb Luck – recognizing it when it occurs. That’s what brings the magic to your experience. And that’s what helps keep you open for the next time, and the next. It’s kind of eerie (pun intended) how our timing worked out perfectly to meet up with the other skier. Appreciating that moment made the whole experience more special.
Consider how many moments of magic you may have missed because you didn’t acknowledge and appreciate Sheer Dumb Luck (or whatever you prefer to call it) acting in your life.