The most important lesson that I learned is that planning serves a purpose but if you become a slave to your plans then you miss the many good gifts that God has for us.
Our plans begin to change on the second day of our trip, but only slightly. Instead of following our planned Interstate route we got off and followed a 2-lane scenic highway. The images I found made me happy (Second most important lesson - the importance of a map - but I will write about that later). The biggest change came after we got to Glacier and wildfires evacuated us from the Lake McDonald Lodge. The day before we were moved to another lodge was so discouraging - the sky was filled with smoke and the beautiful blue skies of the day before were gone. Then in the evening, after trying to move to another lodge in the park, we were handed a letter by the hotel staff that we had places beginning the next day to the Many Glacier lodge (where we were trying to move).
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13