Seven Fresh Vacation Ideas for YOU!
I hung out the lowered car window, hair blown by the soothing breeze, mesmerized. There were no fences, no boundaries, and no constraints. There, free in the wild and only 10 feet away, stood a huge Wyoming buffalo, head raised, staring at me. He peacefully chewed grass as we locked eyes. After a multitude of photos, Reen and I continued our journey. Only a mile down the road stood at least 50 tourists in the sunshine, cars lining the highway, watching a mother grizzly with her two cubs digging and playing in the field. Elk, marmots, sand hill cranes, mule deer, and antelopes captivated us as we traveled the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
For several days, the cares and concerns of our world were forgotten. For those brief moments we were transported to another world quite different from our own. It was a gift! We left rested, invigorated, renewed, while again marveling at the greatness of our God and the magnificence of His Creation. And when we returned home we were reminded how amazing a vacation really is in giving you new perspective on life.
As you consider discovering and enjoying more fully your refreshed life, please take whatever measures necessary to find time for a vacation. Leave the busyness, demands, and endless responsibilities behind. You need one, you know. And your family needs one, too.
Vacation is defined as “a period of rest from work or study.” And rest is defined as “refreshment by…ceasing from work” and “relief from anything distressing or tiring.” Give yourself permission to rest. God rested. He set the precedence for you. “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested… from all his work of creating that He had done.” (Genesis 2:2)
As you anticipate summer, plan a vacation. Here are 7 possible vacation opportunities:
- Plan a quiet “staycation.” This new idea for vacation became popular after the 2008 economic downturn, and it works. It doesn’t take money to vacation. Choose to stay home; read books you haven’t read, take naps, take a walk, ride your bike, have coffee with a friend, host a picnic with badminton and corn hole. Do what makes you happy and rest.
- Plan an Exploration Staycation. Pretend you are taking a visitor to see your town for the first time. What would you show him? What would you do? Now you do those things. Go to that putt-putt place you’ve always meant to take the kids. Leave cable behind and go to the movie theater. Don’t forget to eat popcorn! Check out the events in your local newspaper. Visited the library lately? You never know what you might find there. Create a vacation in your own local area and enjoy it like a tourist.
- Take a Weekend Trip. So often we forget the lovely, quaint towns only minutes from home. Use Trivago and book a hotel, bed & breakfast or Airbnb for a few nights. Explore, sleep, read or play. Enjoy a new location while gaining a fresh perspective.
- Actually Take that “Trip of a Lifetime.” How many times have you promised to take that trip to Italy, the Caribbean, or Costa Rico but never seem to find the time to get away? Why wait? Now may be your moment! None of us knows what tomorrow will hold. Today may be the best day to do the things you’ve always dreamed of and fulfill those promises to the ones you love.
- Go “Off the Grid.” There is nothing like the great outdoors. Camping can be a great way to enjoy nature, fresh air, and a renewed perspective on life. Borrow or rent a camper to visit a national park or choose tent camping with hikes, crackling fires, S’mores, and starlit nights. Just breathe.
- Take a “Hobby Vacation.” How about a week at a writer’s conference or weekend painting class? When was the last time you pursued a hobby that you truly enjoyed as a young person or teenager? Colleges and universities often host wonderful weekend or weeklong courses. These are a wonderful, less-expensive way to meet new people and learn something fascinating you never knew.
- Take a “Giving Vacation.” How about investing your time and talent in building a Habitat for Humanity house or helping to feed a community recovering from disaster? Even this can be restful and relaxing because it forces you out of the routine you’ve trapped yourself in and frees you to think “outside the box.” And even more importantly, you experience the joy and sense of self-worth that results from helping someone in need.
