When I booked a vacation in the small town of Blue Ridge, GA, one cabin particularly caught my eye – Away from Everyday. The name simply encapsulated every emotion I was experiencing as I yearned for a relaxing weekend in the woods. Flipping through the photos on the webpage quickly had me hooked, and with a simple click of the mouse, I was booked. The idea of breathtaking mountain views and the effervescence of spring fueled my excitement as I waited to embark on my journey.
The work-week came to an end, and my much-deserved trip commenced! As I pulled into the driveway lined with towering pines and blooming mountain laurel, it became evident that Away from Everyday is the epitome of a tranquil retreat. Approaching the porch, I was suddenly surrounded by views that truly took my breath as I joyfully unloaded my trunk and made myself at home. After a few minutes of staring at the massive peaks in the distance, I realized that, at some point, I would need to venture inside. I pushed the door open and was greeted with the warm smell of a seasoned wood-fireplace mixed with the aroma of fresh air bursting into the cabin from outside as I left the door ajar. Never have I been so confident as I was in that moment; It was going to be a good weekend.
Downtown Blue Ridge was an alluring 10-minute drive, but the first night was spent in the cabin. The chef inside me applauded the fully equipped kitchen, which made preparing my favorite comfort food an effortless “task”. As tasty as my dinner was, nothing compared to the unadulterated feeling of relaxation, laying in the hammock surrounded by peaceful sounds of nature with a good book and a glass of wine. Ahhhh….
On the morning of Day 2, I awoke feeling mostly recharged; it was time for an adventure. Many of the area’s trails are within a very short driving distance to Away from Everyday, making a day for exploring incredibly advantageous. While my curious heart and mind savored the expedition, I longed for some tranquil time at the cabin. As the moon rose and the sun set, I stood in awe of the colors painted in the sky. I often wondered how many states my humble eyes could see from where I stood on the porch, and then before I knew it, a blanket of stars lit the night sky. The time had come to slip my tired bones into the steamy hot tub, at which point, a month’s worth of stresses dissolved like sugar in a hot cup of tea.
The weather was so perfect, I couldn’t resist some fellowship around the outdoor fire-pit. I invited a few close friends over and we enjoyed s’mores, stories, and most importantly, a few good laughs. The gratification of an outdoor fire seems primitive in nature, but it’s so satisfying to listen to the crackling wood and catch a smoky whiff of fresh mountain air.
The weekend ended on a bittersweet note. I took one last glance at the gorgeous mountains as I drove away and thought to myself… Could I unwind and laze about forever and ever? Do I reaaaaaalllly have to go back to work on Monday? One thing I can say with the utmost certainty is this; If relaxing was an Olympic sport, I’d have won a gold medal.
