DETOUR DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION, FIND ALTERNATE ROUTE!

I made an important observation last weekend and I would like to share it with you. 

Last Saturday was a beautiful day and I decided to take my pup Louis and go for a ride. I did some research and found a beautiful, dog friendly beach on the North side of Brigantine New Jersey. I had no strict schedule so I took my time getting ready in the morning, enjoyed my cup of coffee and around 11:30 my 5 year old great Pyr Louis and I set out for our adventure. 

I lived in this area for the last 30 years and I know how to get around. There are many ways to reach the various coastal towns along New Jersey's shoreline. For my trip to the quaint town of Brigantine, I took the most popular route: Route 130 South to I-676 East, riding the Atlantic City Expressway all the way down.  Perfect! I selected a summer Yacht Rock playlist on the player, windows down until we get to the highway, life is good. Whoops, what is that ahead? 

DETOUR DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION, FIND ALTERNATE ROUTE!

Oh Man, OK, we will take the next jug handle (if you know, you know) and turn around and go to our second option… 

Nope! Same sign: DETOUR DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION, FIND ALTERNATE ROUTE!

Police cars blocking the road with their flashing lights. 

I take a deep breath and decide to take the back roads to the main drag, The Black Horse Pike! Living in South Jersey, it’s easy to see why we're called the "Garden State." The "Pike" in the name comes from the old days when these roads were private turnpikes. To get across a farmer's land quicker, you had to pay a toll. 

As we are cruising down, I see the traffic is slowing down and finally we all come to a full stop… What on Earth is happening here?  

Out of nowhere, an endless brigade of bikes surged down the opposite lane. A fleet of police motorcycles led the charge with their lights flashing, followed closely by a proud contingent of veterans. The stream of bikes just kept coming and coming—it was an incredible, mesmerizing sight. It took a solid 20 to 30 minutes for the tail end of the parade to finally pass. Once the road cleared, we cruised the rest of the way to the beach, still buzzing from the unexpected spectacle.

I couldn’t help but think: was this a coincidence or is this a sign that I should maybe turn around and go home and pull the covers over my head and wait for this day to be over?”. 

I did not do that and I am glad I didn’t. If you follow astrology even just a little bit you’d know that the Taurus sign, the one that has the bull,  wasn’t named accidentally…Just like the bull, a Taurus is strong, resilient, and famously stubborn." That’s ME!

I really wanted to see the ocean. This summer had been so busy that I barely managed any beach days, even though we live only an hour away. The beach is my sanctuary—it always brings me joy and a sense of calm.

You know what else makes me happy and brings me joy and a sense of calm?:  Rowing. 

The next day, after our fun beach day, I was scheduled to row at 10 am. I finished my morning chores, got ready and started my way over to Kelley Drive. I have been doing this ride at least three times a week, I can almost get there on auto-pilot. Well, not today! 

DETOUR DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION, FIND ALTERNATE ROUTE! Not again!

I know this area really well and I can get to any of the bridges that would take me across the Delaware River and get to Philadelphia and vicinity in fifteen minutes. So I started heading towards my alternate #1. I didn't get too far before I saw the familiar sign: ROAD CLOSED! 

After the third detour, I started to get frustrated and upset. I quickly remembered what my rowing coach always says when we are training in racing singles: Respond, do not react!!!! Yes! 

I pulled over on the side of the road, put on the navigation to see what alternative it is going to suggest, called my coach and let her know that I might be running a bit late. I took a couple of cleansing breaths, and got on my way to the river. I was just about to turn into the parking lot when I noticed the heavy police presence, fire and first response vehicles and they were all focusing on something that was floating in the Schuylkill river.  I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself: “It must be another dead body or a waterlogged tree trunk that found its way down stream after last night’s storm”. I proceeded to park my car and get ready for the row.   Once again, if you know, you know: This is Philadelphia, it is the Schuylkill, there is never a dull moment, but we the occupants have gotten a bit dull and all is expected…

Just like the day before, once I got to my destination I had a wonderful time. The weather was beautiful. The Atlantic ocean was peaceful, the way Louis was running away from the waves made me belly laugh. And the Sunday row was not just an amazing workout but the conditions were perfect and I just had the best time with my friends. 

I couldn’t help but sit back and reflect on the literal and figurative roadblocks that tried to derail me over the last forty-eight hours. My patience and navigation skills were definitely put to the test as I tried to reach my destination. It dawned on me that this was no simple coincidence; it was a loud wake-up call to just accept things as they are. When I look back at the big moments and dreams I’ve chased, I see a pattern: every single victory required me to push through thorns, navigate around detours, and get creative with new solutions—all while keeping my eyes on the prize. So, I take a deep, cleansing breath. I accept it—not like I really have a choice, but I accept. If I try to fight the flow, I’ll never reach my goal. I’ll just end up feeling completely exhausted, frustrated, and totally depleted.

So I express my gratitude as a person who has accomplished a lot. And I would like to say to those who seem to have an easier ride: “Good for you”. I am not jealous, I may be envious, just a little. But I do not have the time to watch, follow, admire your journey you share, because I need to use that time for myself to recover from the detours I took today and every day.