The idea of getting out of town, leaving it all behind and indulging in adventure can sound great, in theory. In practice it can sometimes leave us a little dizzy since we are, after all, home bodies. What with writing for AT and all, we spend a lot of time at home thinking about home so sometimes, but not always, it can be difficult to wrench ourselves away:
Getaways: How Spontaneous Are You?
We're always glad we got away whenever we do make the effort, and recently it's gotten easier, maybe because we get sick of being at home all the time.
But we notice that we go one of 2 directions: 1) we want to plan way in advance and get every detail down, bags packed perfectly, house really clean and not a detail left untended to. Or 2), we don't want to think about it, we start searching for someplace to go on friday afternoon, see what's available and then book it. Then we leave friday night or saturday morning. This gives us, usually about an hour to pack and no time to clean or get uptight. This can be totally exhilarating, if a little messy and disorganized. And most recently it's this spontaneity that allows us to really get away.
When we plan (and plan and plan) it can suck the fun right out and we notice we get ideas in our heads about what the getaway should be like instead of just being in the moment. And often, if we've built it up in our minds, we're really disappointed when it's over. When we just get up and go, we're open to whatever the experience brings. Even when things go wrong it can still be a part of the adventure because we don't have a fixed idea of what should be happening.
So how about it? How spontaneous are you? Does it help you to have a good time? Or do your prefer to plan in advance?
If you're ready to get away, how about one of these options:
Best Vegas Hotels
Getaway: Del Mar, California
Best Desert Getaways
25 Reasons to get out of town
Roadtripping Resources
[image from Bodie Bailey's Flickr]
Comments (3)
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Sadly, spontaneous getaways are not for those living paycheck to paycheck. I would definitely take more spur-of-the-moment road trips if I had the funds!
view HeatherAB's profile
Over planning a day trip can be a drag, but if you want to go pick fruit--call to see if the orchard is open. Otherwise, you're out in the middle of the Mojave with nothing to do.
But planning doesn't have to suck the life out of you. The idea of waking up and jumping in the car and heading out for the territory sounds great, but having some sort of plan makes things less nerve wracking. If you want to drive to the Taipan in Santa Barbara, do you want to swing by Underwoods on the way home?
view Palmetto's profile
Later today I'm flying to Denver to see a friend. I usually obsess over ever little detail but I actually don't have any concrete plans when I get there. I did clean up a bit since a coworker will be coming over to check up on my cat, but for once I'm trying to relax. It's ok not having a plan, I've never been to Denver before and I don't know the area that well so I'm just going to sit back and follow the lead of my friend. For once I don't want to worry about schedules and doing a million things in one day, I just want to have a fun weekend before I start graduate school!
view Cheryl K's profile