@bekahstendahl
As part of our recent Win the Ultimate Detours Contest, we invited you to share your latest detour, “in story or haiku, rap or sonnet.” From awesome travel adventures and hilarious parenting detours, to tear-inducing tales and poignant advice, we were blown away by how you “own the detours” in your life. Here are just a few of the entries that have inspired us to head out on some new adventures of our own (detours welcomed).
And if you’re sad to have missed our latest contest, never fear; we have a new chance for you to win at the end of this post!
Poetic Detours
@yes_2love
In the big French Alps, I took a hike,
On the way up, there was so much to like.
The views, the challenge, the thrills, and all, but
upon descent we had a great fall.
Only one ice screw to catch us two,
Thank goodness it did what it had to do! -Barbara J.
“Campesino strike!” the tour agents blurted
Out of town other tourists were herded
Being trapped by a strike
I don’t normally like
But it left Macchu Pichu deserted!” -Kathryn K.
Sitting on the beach, overlooking Puget Sound as the sun sets.
Best friends decide that 39 is not old, and we are adventurers, damn it!
Wait until the sun sinks behind the Olympics then head home to pack car.
Drive to the mountains to watch the meteor shower. -Rebekah G.
@jessy555
Up to Mt Cardigan with a 2yr old on my back.
Took a detour in my head from the daily parenting crap.
Refresh, re-energize, reflect.
Then back down to reality cause that kid wants a snack! -Morgan Y.
There were blisters and a delaminated boot,
But the lake swims and barred owls were a hoot.
I’ll keep tightening the laces,
And exploring wild places.
I can’t help but to smile at life’s loot! -Ellen M.
I am NO stranger to detours…..
I have (on more than one occasion) forgotten a key ingredient (like flour!) in a baking recipe.
Taken a short cut on a hiking trail (only to add on quite a few extra miles).
Knowingly bought really expensive running shoes one full size too small (because the were on sale) – and run a marathon (only to end up with blisters and three blue toe nails)?
@postallife004
Woken up by a LOUD fire alarm siren in a hotel room and walked down 29 flights of stairs with only one shoe on (the other was left locked in the hotel room along with my room key as I exited In a sleep-deprived, panicked state).
Had my skirt fall completely down to the ground (in front of my bosses boss!) because the button popped off.
Sent an important work email (without using spell check) to learn the 5 letter intended and appropriate word became an unforgivable 4 letter word (Oops)!
I’d continue…but the rest of the stories are even more of a testament that I am NO stranger to detours – they just keep my life interesting! -Sandra N
Tales to Inspire (or just make us laugh)
“Mommy, I have to go potty” sang my 3 year old son from the back of the van, so over we pulled, and found the most magical stream in Arizona, complete with a small waterfall. What started as a potty stop turned into a day, then two.-Valerie W.
@lg_chick
Detours are about going off grid to gain perspective. Every day, I find a way to get off the treadmill of life to find the ground beneath my feet. Losing my breath to remember how to breathe. Going outside my comfort zone to grow casually. Losing focus to refocus. Sometimes I accomplish this physically, sometimes mentally, sometimes spiritually. I am luckiest when I can do all three at once! -Shari C.
My latest and by far greatest detour has been going on for over 9 years now with the birth of 2 beautiful, spontaneous and outrageous boys. They keep me on my toes and constantly remind me (through their innocence and curiosity): that there’s a lot more to life than always being right and admitting when I am wrong; to laugh at myself when I fall but offer others a hand when they do the same; and (helping my inner tom-boy always shine through) that farts are always funny!-Regan K.
@runningrobyn21
A broken engagement, moving states away, and dipping into savings to pursue an extra certification that I ultimately didn’t love, were exactly what made me find a place I call home, marry the most wonderful man, and find a new job I am beyond passionate about. #ownthedetours. -Nicole D
After completing my goals of 30 races for my 30th, while pregnant, I set my goals to Boston qualifying. Baby girl was 5 weeks old when we ran our first 5k together. At 4mo old she was diagnosed for heart failure and was flown out of state to be listed for heart transplant. 121 days later, she received her heart and in March we finally went home. The year to qualify may not have been 2016 and the road back to running has been HARD. But to imagine her at the finish line at Boston 2018 and demonstrate to her its possible, no matter what stands in our way is a huge drive. Here’s to new PRs and a BQ in 2016. #ownthedetours -Melissa L
I went to Iceland early this summer and was driving with no maps or GPS. While driving a long way down the one main highway, I noticed a road going into a mountainous area that looked absolutely gorgeous. I quickly turned and worked my way down to discover a gorgeous crater with a clear lake at the bottoms. Always, always take detours!“-Rebecca C.
How do YOU #OwnTheDetours?
Our travel contest may be over, but you still have a chance to WIN! Follow us on Instagram, post a photo of your latest detour, and tag it #OwnTheDetours and @TitleNine for a chance to win a Title Nine gift certificate!
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- @bbgalaska
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- @jenny_tufts
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- @jesclanier
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- @alexandrafb
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- @tanaraehopkins
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- @warrior_pidgeon
By tagging your photos #OwnTheDetours, you are giving Title Nine permission to feature your images in official Title Nine communications related to this contest.