“Take your expectations and throw them in the ocean.”
Last weekend my family and I had a wonderful time at Bodega Bay. Maybe you’ve never heard of it. It’s a small section of California coast north of San Francisco. It is wild, the kind of nature and beauty where you feel more like an intruder than a traveler. (Much more on my trip soon to come.)
Unlike my usual tendency to plan a list of things that I want to see and do, I went into this weekend with no expectations. And I absolutely loved it. I didn’t know about these headlands until my dad pulled the car into the parking lot. I had no idea that this would be possibly the most beautiful walk I’ve taken until my feet were climbing its hills, or that there would be a grey whale passing by until we saw its body rising up out of the water over and over again.
Leaving expectations behind allowed me to be fully in the moment and granted me the freedom to really experience both this place and our family time.
I am open to the guidance of synchronicity, and do not let expectations hinder my path. (the Dalai Lama)
How do you feel about expectations?
(This post is part of this week’s photo series at Budget Travelers Sandbox and Delicious Baby.)
I’ve been to Bodega Bay, it’s so beautiful!
Ana (Ana Travels) recently posted..Spring in Dallas: wildflowers
I agree!
I love bodega bay as well…although when we went the biting cold wind was tough to withstand. Looks like you had lovely weather!
monique recently posted..streaming italian
It was very cold the first day we were there, and the wind was too much, and it must have been when you were there. The other days it was quite nice but of course not warm.
I am often conflicted about them. On the one hand, I know I should lower mine a bit for many things and I try not to have any at all because it’s better to let life happen and take things as they are rather than as I think they should be. On the other hand I worry that lowering them too much does no service to others – like lowering standards. Hopefully that makes sense!
Lovely photos!
Andrea recently posted..I Think the Norwegians Are On To Something
I totally agree, actually. Expectations are important in some situations. This was an example of a time when it was perfect to not have any. Quite liberating. And when it comes to travel, I usually have huge expectations that can then cause me to be disappointed.
I love the sound of it — Bodega Bay — and always think of the Hitchcock movie, The Birds, when I hear it. It is a stunning place. Your photos look like paintings — so rich!
I love the way you describe your experiences!
Jessica recently posted..Stunning Surprises at Winchester Cathedral
These coastline pictures are stunning! I love the first line of your post. I usually have high expectations when traveling especially at the more visited cities. So far, most of them have lived up to my expectations.
True, with big cities, it’s nice to have some expectations and plans so you can get more out of the time.
Expectations can be a right ol’ burden.
Easy Hiker recently posted..Easy Hiking Is Adventure For Beginners
I’ve never heard of Bodega Bay before, but it looks beautiful. I love having no expectations. I did local sight seeing this weekend and the place I was really looking forward to (high expectations) turned out to be nice, but didn’t live up to my expectations. Another lake we visited, that I had never heard of until that morning when I randomly choose a hike from our hiking book (low expectations) and it turned out to be fantastic.
Laurel recently posted..A Photojourney: Hackensee near Dietramszell, Bavaria
Exactly. I usually have such high expectations that I’m constantly analyzing if they’ve been met. It is refreshing to let them go.
I tend to over-plan unfortuntly. We’ve been to some beautiful places because of it, but the best trips are the somewhat unplanned where you just stumble across gems like this without knowing exactly what to expect. Beautiful pics!
Sabrina recently posted..Lakes near Rome: Lago di Martignano
Thanks. I usually overplan, too. I think that’s normal for us travel-lovers.
Beautiful spot – glad you enjoyed such a lovely weekend! Intellectually, I know that if I could let go of expectations and be more spontaneous that it would be a good thing. Emotionally, it’s a different story though. I need to plan and organize to feel like I have some control over a situation. And as the family planner, I feel that I’m responsible for ensuring that everyone else’s expectations are met and that they enjoy themselves as well. I do try to compromise a bit and build some flexibility in to the planning in order to leave room for those unexpected, serendipitous experiences but I definitely see room for improvement!
Lisa recently posted..Luxembourg Gardens with Kids
I completely hear you. I am a big planner, too. This weekend was nice for me because my dad was with us and we let him do the planning!
We cycled to Bodega Bay a few years ago and I also thoroughly enjoyed it.
I try to keep my expectations low – and then they’re more easily met – but it took a lot of years of living to figure out how important it was to keep expectations in check.
Leigh recently posted..Cumberland Island: Home to Wild Horses & Snakes With Attitude
I agree. It’s nice because there’s less “disappointment.” Cycling to BB must have been a beautiful ride.
Nice shots. Was there recently on a sunny winter day. Lucky for me, I live only about an hour away from Bodega Bay.
Dick Jordan recently posted..Travel Canada: “Hanging Out” at Capilano River
Yes, lucky you!
This was a great post for me to see today! I also tend to overplan my trips (the research and anticipation add to the fun!) – but those plans often lead to expectations. As I get older, I try to remain more open to the flow of life – and the unexpected.
I’m going through a high-pressure 6 weeks now as my later-life return to college wraps up. Sometimes I’m fearful that something could go wrong before I reach the finish line. Your post (and the Dalai Lama quote) helped me to take a deep breath and be in this present moment. Thanks!
Your time in Bodega Bay sounds as if it was wonderful on many levels and your photos are breathtaking. I also love Bodega Bay and your post inspired me to return!
You guys would probably love cycling that area.
Love those unexpected pleasures. By the way, Bodega Bay pulls at my nostalgic heart strings. Great memories in that beautiful area.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Cruising San Francisco Bay
Really? I want to know more!
I must admit that I do plan my trips, however, if I’m in a place for a long time (for example, I’ve just moved to Melbourne) and I know that I have plenty of time and can return to a place, I do enjoy planning almost nothing and just going with the flow.
I agree. Both are nice. When I lived in the Czech Republic, part of the fun was having the time to just explore and as you said, just going with the flow. It is refreshing.
Love discovering as I go -looks like it was a great discovery
Eileen Ludwig recently posted..Denmark Castle Copenhagen Tivoli
Thanks, it was!
Part of the reason I show up in countries without doing any research is because it means I have no expectations and can just enjoy things as they happen.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Friday: My first meal in Maui
That is one way to do it! I like that approach.
I have never heard of that beach before. Loves lovely
Meagan @MommyTravels recently posted..Sunrise in Castaway Key
Thanks, Meagan.
Beautiful scenes. Must have been a lovely weekend. About expectations? I tone them down to be hopes, personally…
It was lovely. Thanks for stopping by.
i’m a huge fan of the northern california coast. how could i not be with views like that?!?
i’ve figured out i’ve only got about a half day of seeing/doing in me – every other day – if i’m going to truly have fun on a trip. just being somewhere else and observing the similarities and differences to home is usually enough of a trip. so what if i “miss” something when traveling? guess that gives me an excuse to return to that place or at least think about it.
Good attitude. We should have that about everything because it takes some of the pressure off. About having a half day of doing/sightseeing, I hear you. especially when traveling with kids!
I’m an überplanner and don’t believe I’ve ever been anywhere not knowing anything about it. I should try it sometime. I do like it when I don’t know anything about a movie and then watch it and it turns out to be great.
Sonja recently posted..Traveling Is a Brutality
I love to plan, too. This situation was unusual because I didn’t plan anything, and I just really loved the way it unfolded!
Hi Jenna,
I agree on the no expectations mentality. I love to travel and one of my favorite things is to get “lost” on the streets and see where they lead me. I find as a general rule having expectations (usually) leads to disappointment. I think its great when we can “Let Go” and just go with the flow…
Ps. I know Bodega Bay as I’m from the Bay Area and currently living in Spain but now that you mention a hike, I can’t say I know what Bodega offers aside from the quaint little shops, fog and the sea. Next time I’m home, I may have to adventure!
Thanks for stopping by. I will have to give your site a look–I’m always interested in seeing what people are up to who live in Europe. Expectations for me are tricky because I’m usually responsible for planning and therefore have a lot of expectations, but it is so freeing to have none. Not just with travel but in all aspects of life.
I love this idea and I really want to visit Bodega Bay now! It looks lovely- kind of reminds me of Big Sur area!
jade recently posted..The Life of a Zoo Gorilla
I was just talking to a friend about how much we loved it. The connection we felt with nature there (like in Big Sur) made it really special.