A reminder that life's unplanned stops can be the most beautiful.

We left our friends in Huntsville with a beautiful Live Edge table in the back of our bus. Our delivery destination; a retired couple with a cosy home on the shores of the river in Britt, Ontario. Having seen Andy complete this magnificent table by hand in his simple home workshop, it was a priviledge to be able to see it arrive in its intended-for location and meet the happy recipients.

They welcomed us and spoke fondly of children and grandchildren who would gather around it in a few short days to share in a Thanksgiving meal. From Britt, we were headed to our guidebook destination of The Big Nickel in Sudbury, Ontario. However, as we passed through the blink-and-you'll-miss-it town of Massey, we noticed a small blue sign that read "Massey Chutes." One of many historic chutes used in the transportation of timber by "Whitewater Men." When we asked our kids if we should stop, stadium level cheers erupted from the back, so we pulled off the Trans-Canada onto a small uninhabited road and followed the signs to our unplanned destination. We hiked down to the river where a man was fishing.

As it happens, it was salmon and trout spawning season. There were hundreds of fish right at our feet! Victor, turned "animal whisperer meets Survivor Man," patiently studied the waters and caught one with his bare hands.

This, of course, earned him major Cool Dad points, as well as the respect of the fisherman. Ultimately, we did reach the Big Nickel, and it was really...big, weighing 13,000kg and measuring 9 metres in diameter.

It was truly impressive, but not nearly as impressive as the moment of sheer joy, victory, or pride as Victor caught that big fish.

One of the ideas that we are contemplating as a family is how to simplify our lives so we can be available to be present for unplanned stops. Rather than rushing from tourist site to tourist site, or after-school commitment to after-school committment, or social event to social event, we want to figure out how to be available to life's hidden and unplanned moments of joy or need. If you have ideas to share about how you've accomplished this or are working towards this, please feel free to share in the comments. I bet there is something we can all learn from your experience.