Tag Archives: vacation

Nourishment Lately – Sedona

Sedona was beyond nourishing. I have never visited a place that had quite the effect on my being, and a week after returning, I’m still reflecting on what that effect was/is. One thing I’ve mustered: I need to work on recreating the feeling that I had there, here. The calmness, the energy, the centeredness.

I know that it’s easy to feel calmer and happier on vacation, away from any stressors at home, but this was different. I knew that I’d love being somewhere new, I knew I’d love the hiking and biking and sunshine and exploration. But I didn’t know I’d leave Sedona and come home feeling the way that I do about it. I didn’t know that I’d feel such a draw to go back, as soon as possible. I didn’t know that the very night I got back from the trip, I’d be sitting on my couch searching Airbnb for Sedona rentals. I didn’t know that I’d refer to Sedona as my favorite place.

I think it was the air, the sunshine, the lifestyle, the energy. Sedona is my soul-place.

Although Greg and I hiked (and biked) every day while there, I only took my camera out one time. Here is what we saw:

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Nourishment Lately – Florida

Florida is what nourished me for twelve wonderful days at the end of February.

I almost didn’t take my camera, but I surely am glad that I did. Even if it’s only so that I can look back on these photos and again feel the peace and happiness that I did during this trip.

Vero Beach

{The first two photos I took on vacation, the first night. The view from our room.}

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{second morning}

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{my people}

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{second night sunset}

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{third morning sunrise}

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Florida Keys

{Key West}

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{lunch on Sunset Key}

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{sunset celebration at Mallory Square}

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Disney

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{this one taken by Sokol}

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Down the Shore

Just like last year, my family took an autumn trip “down the shore” (Philly’s way of saying “to the beach”!). Last year was one day in Cape May with my parents and this year was a long weekend at a new-to-me beach, Ocean City, Maryland, with the addition of Greg and family friend, Sokol.

Thanks to my mom, we stayed in an ocean front condo with views that actually and literally took my breath away. Our days became pretty routine, pretty quickly. Morning started with bright sunshine, on our balcony, with coffee and views of boardwalk-goers below us and ocean waves in front of us. We rode bicycles to breakfast each morning and spent most of the day riding along the boardwalk, spending time at the few places that quickly became our favorites – snacking on popcorn (Fisher’s), french fries (Thrasher’s), ice cream (Dumser’s) and beer at what was undoubtedly my favorite find of the trip – Backshore Brewing Company. The five of us held a mini-golf tournament, playing one game per day and adding the total scores at the end (Dad was the victor), played oceanfront scrabble, and spent a lot of time just relaxing and enjoying the views.

As we often say, it was another great trip in the books. Just like my post from our trip to the Poconos, there are many photos (36!) ahead. Enjoy!

THE PLACE

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THE PEOPLE

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Up the Mountains

You will burn and
you will burn out,
you will be healed
and come back again.
-Fyodor Dostoyevsky
(found on Pinterest)

It’s been almost two weeks since we’ve been back in Philly after spending a long weekend in the Poconos with my family. Or, as we’ve learned they say in Philly, since we’ve been “up the mountains.” Some time has passed but I can still feel the sense of calm that came over me on that short getaway. I can still feel the air, if I try hard enough. Something about that trip brought me so much peace and I hope that some of that comes through my photos.

The quote above is one that I found floating around on Pinterest and that really resonates with me. I feel like we try and try and try hard for so long. And then we burn out. We all do. And we need a break. And I don’t know if it’s just the optimist in me, but I feel like life always gives us one. When it’s ready to and in the way that we need it. Isn’t that great? A weekend in the Poconos gave me just the healing I needed.

Our time was much enjoyed. We relaxed, we porch-sat, we cooked and ate good food and drank good drinks, we mountain-coastered, we celebrated birthdays, we brewery-hopped, we learned to lawn bowl, we hiked and drank coffee out of mugs on hikes, we took in beautiful views. We relaxed.

Just a warning – be prepared for lots of photos! Because I have so many, I am going to share some today and some tomorrow. Enjoy!

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