Stretch Goals
The "Postcard Board Games" Kickstarter project has now sailed past two milestones, unlocking an extended monetary target that is common in the community. These are benefit-specific aims (set by the project creator) that reach further than the original funding goal, with the idea that all backers deserve more rewards for going above and beyond with their pledges. As this particular project closes in on its 3rd one, it's exactly the thing I want to talk about today: STRETCH GOALS!
Sometimes in life, we have an objective in mind, and that's all we think about when pursuing it. Other times, we have stretch goals, or additional side treks that add a little something extra to the expedition. Do you consider stretch goals when orchestrating an idea in your life? If yes, what do your stretch goals add to your experience?
Whenever I plan a trip, big or small, I always try to do some research about some things that are off the beaten path a little bit. Things that can be experienced in short order; things that add a little unique spice to the adventure. I think "stretch goal" is a good term for that. You're already going on a trip, but you want to add a little extra reward in there. Here are a few stretch goals I've been able to hit.
(Street View image of the Squeeze-In)
During a road trip in Pennsylvania, I stopped by this hot dog place because I had heard about it online. Is it hard to see in the above photo? That's because it's tiny! It's called the Squeeze-In. Sandwiched between two buildings, it boasts a total of five seats wedged behind a small counter. The name is quite apt, for you literally do have to squeeze in. They have several great kinds of hot dogs on the menu, as well as local brands of chips, iced tea, and soda. And last but not least, some cool t-shirt merch to take home as a souvenir. It wasn't too far out of the way, and I'm glad I added this stop to the itinerary.
(Street View image of the Squeeze-In)
On another road trip, I was passing through the middle of the US, and I got a chance to stay at a really awesome Airbnb. An old family farm sits in the middle of nowhere, and the caretakers have fashioned one of the barns into a modern studio apartment. It's a working farm, so I got to see a slice of farm life up close. It was a nice respite from a large thunderstorm that was passing through, and the crackling of the wood-fired heater lulled me to sleep.
Have you ever stayed at an Airbnb? What was your experience like? I had a friend who once told me that he booked an Airbnb on a cross-country road trip. He said the owner of the Airbnb had creepy dolls everywhere in the apartment, and my friend left in fear of these dolls in the middle of the night to sleep in his car. I laughed hard at that story. I was lucky with my stay.
When I was in the Arctic Circle, I stopped by a street food vendor near my hotel because I heard they serve moose cheesesteaks. What a unique spot. Surrounded by freezing snow mounds, the Swedes in this food truck were the most jolly bunch I had ever seen. I got to enjoy the meal inside a "luvvu" (similar to a teepee), a traditional dwelling of the Sámi people. There was a fire going inside the luvvu, and I was given some wonderful hot lingonberry juice which tasted incredible. It was a perfect stretch goal for that trip.
(the food truck and lavvu)
Sometimes we don't see a potential stretch goal until we happen upon it, and we are compelled to seize an intriguing opportunity. One time I was driving from Norway into Sweden along a snow covered mountain road. Scouring the expanse, I was mesmerized by the wintry landscape that appeared to be out of a fairy tale. Rounding a bend, I spotted a little building perched on the side of the white mountain. There appeared to be a small parking lot next to it. What was it? Surely a gas station would be closer to the road. A store of some sort perhaps? I had to take a look. It was alone out there, swallowed up by powdery drifts in all directions.
I found my way up to this place, and it was the most quaint grocery store I had ever seen. Some shoppers were coming and going on snowmobiles, whizzing away to cottages and a ski slope in the distance. Nothing like I'd ever experienced. I let no impression escape my senses.
(a customer entering the grocery store)
Once inside, I marveled at the chocolate bars whose wrappers described their contents in languages I did not know. Then I passed by a rack of this stuff:
I was uninitiated. I had no idea what this was. Surely it had to be popular with the Norwegians and Swedes, because there were large racks and displays of it. I stopped in my tracks, then leaned in to take a closer gander. It looked like some kind of creamy edible spread. Each variant had a different photo of a food item on it. I thought to myself, "Looks like ham, shrimp, lobster...Hmm...Do those pictures mean that's what you're supposed to put it on, or is that part of the ingredients? And why do they come in what looks like paint tubes? What is going on?"
I asked a Swedish woman in the aisle what they were, and she
explained that they are a type of cheese spread that is very popular in Norway and Sweden. I
asked if they have to be refrigerated once opened. She told me that you
are supposed to, but she just keeps hers in her desk at work. I asked
what you put it on. In a bit of broken English, she said
something akin to "hard bread." And then she disappeared. My stereotype
of Nordic people is that they are not too keen on extended small talk
or chit chat with strangers (which I find kind of inspiring in a way). I stood there for a minute, marveling at all the colors and images on the strange tubes of mystery. Next person that passed was a kid that looked to be about 20 years old, with his friends close behind him. I inquired about the photos on these
tubes. His cordial friends told me that's what flavors they are. I asked him
which one is the best, while pointing to the bacon one hoping he would
say, "That one." And sure enough he did. He said it was "bangin." These guys were very helpful and friendly. Then they disappeared.
I kept talking to myself. "Now to find some 'hard bread.' Let me think. Hard bread. Did that lady mean, like, a stale baguette or something?" I found what looked like Kaiser rolls and figured that would do. Once outside, I put some of the bacon cheese spread on the Kaiser rolls, and it was heaven.
NOTE: Not until I returned from this trip did I learn that the woman in the supermarket was actually talking about "crispbread," a flat, dry, rye cracker of Swedish and Finnish origin. So when I was back in the States, I searched my local supermarket and found some flat, dry, rye crackers with the word "crispbread" on the packaging. "Nice," I thought. When I looked on the back to see where it was manufactured, it said Sweden. Go figure.
(stupendous bacon cheese stretch goal for the win)
In a land and time far from Scandinavia, I was hiking with some family members through thick woodland on a warm summer day. We decided to look for a random trail and just take it wherever it leads. We chose one, and set off into the wild blue yonder. We discovered a few creepy caves in the brush along the way.
(one of the creepy caves near the old trail)
Finally we came to the end of the trail. There sat a huge pond, with deer grazing at the far edge. What a sight to see. No crowds at this destination. No cars, no noise, just pure untamed wilderness. We walked around for a long while, and I remembered what it felt like to be so still in nature.
(the pond)
I encourage you to seek out a few stretch goals on your journeys if you can. It may bring you insights and experiences you'll treasure for a long time.
Until next time, take care.
