Had a debate with my buddy after visiting the Grand Canyon about whether it's better to plan every detail or just show up and figure it out

So last month I went to the Grand Canyon with my friend Mark. I spent weeks booking campsites, checking weather, mapping out trails. He booked his flight the night before and just showed up with a backpack. Honestly, I was stressed the whole time making sure we stuck to the schedule, but he seemed way more relaxed just wandering. But then we almost got stuck without a spot to sleep one night because everything was full. So which side is better for a trip like that? Planning ahead or going with the flow? Has anyone else dealt with this kind of argument?

2 comments

2 Comments

clairer7926d ago

Oh for goodness sake, I have to jump in on this one! I am firmly on the side of planning, and your story just proves my point. You almost got stuck without a place to sleep, that's exactly why you need to book things in advance, especially for popular places like the Grand Canyon. Your friend might have looked relaxed but he was one bad turn away from sleeping in his rented car or having to cut the trip short. A little stress on the front end is a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing you have a bed and a safe meal waiting for you each night.

river_hall4426d ago

My 2017 trip to Yellowstone taught me that lesson hard. @clairer79 I kid you not, I spent three hours in a tiny diner with spotty wifi just to find a cabin near the park because everything was already booked three months out. Your friend got lucky but I'd rather eat that stress up front than eat a cold granola bar for dinner in the car.