That title takes you back, doesn’t it?
Last week, I escaped. I escaped Michigan, where I’ve been landlocked since March. Escaped my condo where, with the exception of my July getaway, I’ve been trapped since quarantine started. I escaped my loneliness, which despite phone calls and zoom catch-ups, still catches me off guard every once in a while. I just got in my car and…went.
My friends and I have been contemplating a road-trip, mini-break since the realization of what 2020 would be hit us. However, due to work and other scheduling hiccups, we almost didn’t make happen. Then, about three weeks ago, Garbanzo, Lettuce and I finally had booked ourselves a cabin in the middle of the Maryland Smoky Mountains for a much needed getaway.
To the Big Woods.
While only a six or so hour drive from home, it seemed like worlds away. Missing the thrill that comes from packing a suitcase and hopping on a plane, this road trip for one was LIT. You’d think I was on my way to Mars for how excited I was. Blue skies and loud music that I definitely screamed at the top of my lungs made the time fly, and once I got out of the flat barren Earth wasteland that is Northern Ohio, I found myself in a decidedly other world.
The Allegheny Mountains in western PA, with their rolling highways felt like a bit of a roller coaster ride, and with the last of the golden leaves still hanging on the acres of trees before me, it was its own form of magic. Admittedly magic that I’m usually too busy to notice as we all often opt for destinations that require a passport and a time zone change. Still, we make do with what we can this 2020 and we sure did.
The cabin we picked was a Taylor-Made, with three queen beds, three cozy couches, and a fully stocked kitchen to meet our culinary adventures (and our desire to avoid any sort of eating out). Since we made it a working vacation, it was large enough accommodate both competing conference calls and lazy lie-ins. I can’t recommend this company or range of properties enough and if you’re in DC wanting to escape the city, you’re looking at about a three hour drive. With options in the woods or on the lake, you’re covered for all seasons so take full advantage!
Once the weekend hit, we were a stone’s throw away from any number of hikes. Some well marked, some not. All with warnings of unexpected guests.
Constant vigilance!
It was the perfect way to do something while keeping a safe distance from…well, pretty much everyone else. Just what we want in these Covid times.
Fresh air, nature, streams that wind and trickle through the woods. We strapped on our backpacks and boots and hit the trails.
Smiles, all.
And don’t you know it was just about perfect?
Over the river and through the woods.
When we weren’t outside, we very much enjoyed lounging in the coziness of our home away from home.
Trading a furball amongst us for shared snuggles.
I fiercely contend that there is very little that time with the best of friends can’t cure.
Don’t you agree?
