Vacations come in all shapes and sizes. From weekend trips to week-long excursions, we seek different kinds of experiences depending on our mood and interests. Sometimes we crave adventure and exploration, while other times we just want some relaxation and peace. Sometimes, we plan trips to indulge in weather specific activities like sunbathing on tropical beaches or skiing down snow-covered mountains. And occasionally, we just need to escape and unwind. This latter type of vacation was my trip to York Haven, Pennsylvania.
I’m definitely a warm weather person. I hate feeling even slightly chilly. And I like being outside with the sun beating down on me. Those are my ideal vacations. During fall and winter I typically slip into a slump because the weather gets me down. So this past fall I decided to go for a weekend getaway to get myself out of the house, relax and unwind a little… possibly even enjoy the fall foliage. Typically in the colder months I would always try to take a trip somewhere warmer just to get me out of the cold weather funk. But I just couldn’t make it happen this time around. So I settled for a quiet weekend away from the city. And you know, it wasn’t bad at all.
York Haven is a charming town in the heart of Pennsylvania, surrounded by rolling hills, meandering streams, and picturesque landscapes. I rented a cozy cabin overlooking a stream, with my best buddy, Sonny (my adorably, lovable dog), as my companion.
During the day, we went on hikes and explored the nearby woods, breathing in the fresh air and basking in the breathtaking views. I felt rejuvenated and energized by the natural beauty around me. In the evenings, we relaxed by the fire pit in the backyard, sipping hot cocoa and enjoying the warmth of the fire. The cabin was well-equipped and had a beautiful soaker tub where I could unwind and soak away my stress. I also took the time to journal and meditate, allowing myself to disconnect from the world and reconnect with my inner self.
We may not always be able to get exactly what we want. But sometimes, if we step back and look at things from a different angle, we may find joy in the things we never thought we would. Sure I didn’t get to lay on the beach and soak up the sun. But I got a chance to slow down, reflect, and recharge my batteries… and most importantly I made my best friend happy… which in turn made me happy. Sometimes, we need to step back and allow ourselves to enjoy the simple things in life.
I think sometimes we get wrapped up in trying to get exactly what we want. And if we can’t have it then we adopt an all-or-nothing attitude. Like If I can’t take my ideal vacation, why go at all?! What’s the point? Well the point is, that if we completely deprive ourselves, it’ll just end up making us more miserable. Sometimes, if we are open to new ideas or make slight adjustments to our plans, we may find that it can still give us some satisfaction. We may even discover something new that we like.
So the next time you wanna get away, and you can’t take the vacation you want, try instead taking the vacation you need… By allowing ourselves to be open to new experiences and slightly altering our plans, we may discover that we can find satisfaction and joy in unexpected places.
