Sunday, June 26, 2016

Rewind, Reset, Recharge

Greetings from the North Woods of Wisconsin! This post comes to you from one of my favorite places in the whole world, the beautiful Door Peninsula. My parents have had this lovely vacation spot since I was a little girl. I love to take time away from the craziness of life and just unwind here. It always feels like coming home.

Can I stay here forever?


Did I ever need this little getaway! All the stress of the last couple of months--my son Matthew's leg fracture, the new puppy, and other assorted annoyances--has really started to take a toll on me. You know I'm feeling overwhelmed when the mere idea of getting in the car and driving 5 hours to my favorite place exhausts me. But here I am and my arrival felt like a balm to my soul.

My oldest son and husband had to stay home to work, but Matthew, Cocoa, and I have been enjoying our time away in with my parents. Prior to our trip, I took Matthew to the orthopedic surgeon and pleased with the healing she saw on the x-ray, she took his cast off and put him in a boot. She told him he could walk on his leg and that he should swim. Walking has been painful for him. He's still using his crutches. On Friday he and I took the kayaks out and since it is so stony at the beach in from of my parents' house, we paddled across the bay to the sandy beach. Actually, we did it twice. Both times, Matthew walked in the sand and swam. It was the happiest I've seen him since he broke his leg.


Cocoa wasn't so fond of the kayak. We left her home with my parents.


Saturday morning, Cocoa woke me up at 5:30 to go out. I was tired but I got to see this:


After a few cups of coffee, I felt more awake and readied myself for a run. It was a gorgeous morning with a light breeze and a temperature of about 75. Instead of heading into the little town where my parents spend their summers, I headed up the hill to the bluff park. This hill rivals the hills of Big Sur. Even though I was tired, I vowed to run to the top and I did. The view was my reward.

The waters of Green Bay are just beyond where I'm standing.
I continued on my way to the bluff. Another beautiful view. And a clean latrine. I headed back home, savoring that downhill.

Tree pose on the bluff overlooking Green Bay.
Sunday morning I woke up to rain. Cocoa woke me up at 4:30 to go out but I brought her in the bed with me after our trip to the grassy patch. We both promptly fell asleep until 7. By then the rain had stopped. I hemmed and hawed about going for a run, but I wanted to visit my other favorite path that takes me deep into the woods.

A feast for the senses.
I stopped by the rocky shoreline to do some yoga.


I finished off Marcia's push up challenge with 100. They weren't easy today. My arms were tired--probably from the kayaking-- and I had to break the push ups up into small sets. My furry coach made sure that I got them done.

Since it was another gorgeous day, Matthew and I went kayaking on the bay again. The water was unusually calm and we paddled over to the bluffs to explore the caves. I've never done this, and Matthew really enjoyed himself. Even though he fell in the water trying to get back into his kayak. It wasn't that cold...






Tomorrow we drive home and it's back to reality. I'm grateful for these little getaways to rewind, reset, and recharge. 

Do you take time off to get away from everyday life? What kind of activities help you renew?

I'm linking up with Tricia and Holly for their Weekly Wrap! And with Angela and Ilka for the Sunday Fitness and Food Link Up!

How was your week?












91 comments :

  1. Every word, every photograph telegraphs your week in a single word: calm. So needed. I'm beyond happy for you that you've found a week of respite.

    To see Matthew's smile lighting up the screen is utter delight. I hope his recovery continues apace.

    I find it difficult to relax at home right now with so much business, work and home and social life, surrounded me. That will come. 1,098 days. In the meantime, we leave at the end of the month,for our annual week on Newfound Lake in NH. I feel about it as you do about your summer getaway. We do nothing but relax. We don't even go out to eat. There's a gas grill at the cottage and we live simply. Walk (formerly ran), read, cross stitch, look at the lake sitting in a valley of mountains, swim. Heaven.

    God bless your week. I hope it grants you the refueling you need for regular life.

    One of my favorite of your posts. Love, C.

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    1. Thank you! I'm hoping that this feeling lasts. Work is killing me!

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  2. Having that cast off must feel better! It looks like such a beautiful area.

    Oddly enough we vacationed at Lake George almost every summer growing up, but now that we live so near I rarely get there!

    We're planning a few more day trips/short vacations this summer -- I hope, anyway!

    We tried putting Lola in one of the doggie swimming pools on that walk. She wasn't having any of it!

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    1. We were blessed with great weather, which made it all the better!

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  3. What a wonderful place to take a much needed break and mini vacation. I hope you are feeling refreshed and renewed. We used to have a house at Lake Arrowhead. This post makes me miss it!

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  4. What a wonderful place to have vacationed since childhood. As you probably know, it is the FL coast for me. There's always something that feels renewing about water. I guess that's why I love it so much. I'm glad to hear Matthew is improving. The kayak adventures look so fun, especially exploring those caves. Thanks for linking Wendy!

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    1. When we vacationed on the panhandle of FL, we were surprised how many people from the surrounding states vacationed there! What a lovely spot!

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  5. Looks like the perfect getaway. I'm glad your son was able to get the cast off before the trip. For me, the beach is my relaxing place. I can't wait to get back there next month!

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  6. I'm glad you got to spend some time in your happy place! :) And I bet it was fun to bond with Matthew. Paul and I would like to try kayaking!

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    1. Matthew and I had a great time! We've done a lot of bonding this summer. I missed my oldest son, tho!

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  7. That view is beautiful, it would inspire me too! Looks like such a nice getaway. I have trouble running in the morning without coffee first :)

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  8. That looks amazing! I'm so glad your feeling relaxed. You both look so happy and the pictures are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Sounds like the perfect getaway. How nice to have one-on-one time with your youngest too!

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  10. I've never been to Wisconsin. It looks so peaceful. Glad you an Matthew both had a great time. I bet it was great bonding time for the two of you.-M

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  11. That 5 hour car ride was so worth it! The pics are all gorgeous, especially the one of the sunrise by the lake. You and Matthew look so happy and relaxed. So good to hear that his injury is healing well. That must be a huge relief for you. The Kayaking is such a great workout for your torso. I'm sure you felt those muscles afterwards. I wished I could have joined you running up that hill - I need some hill training here in Florida! I'm forever running on flatland! I will be featuring this post next Sunday!

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  12. Looked like a real relaxing vacation. Beautiful pictures. Love the little cave you have there. Trails are my quick getaway. Joined a trail race today to relax.

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    1. All the years we've been coming here and I never explored those caves!

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  13. I'm soooo jealous of your little getaway! I've never had a place to go like that ;-(

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  14. Looks like a great place to take a little vacation! Kayaking looks fun! Great job getting runs in and yoga! Love the pics!

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  15. OMG so amazing and wonderful!!! Is there anything better than lake life? Seriously. Even waking up at the crack of dawn is rewarding and feels like a total gift. I absolutely love all the running and kayaking and bonding with your son you got to do. Good for you mama!!

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    1. This was a really active getaway. I think I wore Matthew out!

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  16. Looks like a great place for a vacation! Great job on the pushups. I've never gone kayaking and it looks like something fun to do.

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  17. OK now you have me wondering this: if we moved to where we found our recharging would it still work? Or, if that became our forever place, with the recharging ability wear off???

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    1. That is a great question and I often find myself thinking the same thing!

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  18. I"m glad to be done with that push up challenge. What do you think Marcia will throw at us next?

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  19. Oh wow, what a firehouse spot! Looks like a perfect weekend!

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  20. What a beautiful place!!! I don't get much time off these days, and admittedly it's starting to get to me. I am so glad you got to get away and recharge!

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    1. It's got to be tough being on duty 100% of the time. Maybe you and the girls could do a getaway?

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  21. Just. Wow. This looks so amazing and beautiful, and serene and peaceful. Hope you enjoyed every second of it!

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  22. This is how I feel when i go back to Atlanta and stay with my family. It is truly a balm to my soul. Perfect way to capture that feeling. Enjoy!

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  23. We used to go up to Peninsula State Park and camp over Columbus Day weekend every year when I was a teenager. It was crisp/cold but the fall colors were amazing. Those caves look cool! Glad you and Matthew enjoyed.

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    1. I can't believe we didn't ever explore those before! It was great for both of us.

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  24. How gorgeous! And Cocoa cracks me up!

    I'm so glad Matthew is feeling better. I'm sure it's got to be incredibly freeing for him to be in that boot instead of the cast.

    I love SUP and yoga and I would love to kayak, but every time I try, it just doesn't work into our schedule.

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    1. Normally, he and I would have SUPped but that wasn't in cards this trip.

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  25. It sounds like you've had a pretty amazing trip! I'm so glad your son was able to get his cast off and enjoy it with you! I want to go there!

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    1. It's just such a beautiful place! It never gets old, no matter how many times I've been there.

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  26. That place is gorgeous! So jealous. I'm so glad you got some rest and recharge time! I wish I had a place like that--I love taking little retreats like that, but I don't often get the chance to. Yay for your son's cast coming off.

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    1. I'm so grateful to have this respite from life! My parents are getting older tho, and I don't know what will happen in the future. For now, we enjoy it!

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  27. That place looks incredible. It's so nice that you not only have a nice getaway, but that you've been going there for years and it feels like home without actually being at home! Great photos and I hope you are feeling refreshed this week!

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  28. So happy for you, getting some much-needed R and R. And hurray for Matthew getting the boot! Well, you know what I mean. What a lovely place to unwind.

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  29. It looks amazing!!!! I would LOVE a hiking / kayaking vacation for a couple of days...followed by a little wine and reading in the evenings. I need to find a way to make that happen.

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  30. The puppy likes to be up very early!

    All the pictures look amazing! It looks like an amazing vacation! and it sounds like you both needed it and enjoyed it a lot!

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    1. Yes she does! Last night she woke up at 2 am. I just put her in bed with me. There was no way I was taking her outside then!

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  31. I've never heard of this area but wow looks like a great place to escape for a few days and enjoy the outdoors.

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    1. Some people call it the "Cape Cod" of the midwest. It's a peninsula surrounded by water and it's beautiful.

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  32. It's like a million degrees right now and what I wouldn't give to be kayaking!

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  33. Your pictures are stunning, as always. The water looks so beautiful. Kayaking is no joke! I definitely agree that the kayaking probably impacted your arms for your push-up challenge. I once went kayaking and my arms and back were sore for days afterwards! I am glad you had such a restful weekend - you deserve it!

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  34. I'm glad you were able to recharge, especially with your son as his leg heals! Those are some amazing sights. It seems like everyone is kayaking these days and I need to get in on it, so fun! Love the pictures with you and Cocoa :)

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    1. I absolutely love kayaking! Of course, I love anything that has me out on the water.

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  35. Beautiful!!!! It really does help to just get a way for a little while doesn't it? No schedule- just a little peace.....AWWWWW-nice to see your son healing and getting out with you- looks like it was a great time for both of you!

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    1. We had an amazing time! He and I have really become close this summer--whether he likes it or not!

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  36. So happy you got to go away, spend time with your family and unwind. Whenever I go 2 days to my country house it feels like I have been on vacation 2 weeks.

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    1. I definitely feel much less stressed than I did on the day we drove up there! I hope it lasts.

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  37. No doubt this looks like a FABULOUS weekend!!!

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  38. Looks and sounds like a perfect getaway for some much needed recharging! Glad you enjoyed it :)

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  39. Gorgeous views! I am taking a vacation next month with my family and I can't wait. Your post got me excited for my upcoming downtime to reset and recharge.

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  40. Glad you got to rejuvenate at your happy place! I'll be doing that this upcoming weekend. :)

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  41. I've been enjoying all of the photos that you've been sharing online. You look so peaceful and at ease up there. Hope the relaxation continues!

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  42. Yay for your son being out of his cast and being happy! Looks like you had a wonderful weekend! Love the kayaking pics! Looks so fun!

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  43. Oh wow .... sounds like a lovely break from reality. I love water .....

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    1. I do too. My husband and I are seriously contemplating a move.

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  44. What a beautiful place!! Looks like Coco had fun too!

    We go up to the lake on weekends. But I love it when I am up there all alone. Running or walking or hiking is the best break from life.

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  45. Those last kayaking pics look amazing! I also love that trail you're on - would love to run there. I recently found a trail that takes me deep into the woods as well BUT it's very technical and then my sister made me feel paranoid about running along because she said "what if you fall and hit your head and no one finds you." lol so now I can't run there unless I have a running buddy :-(

    Looks like you had a great vacation!

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    1. This is not at all technical--the hard part is the very steep long hill you have to run to get to the trail!

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  46. I love everything about this Wendy! Yes I'd say you deserve a reset and recharge! So very happy to see these pictures of you and your son having a great time! We're going to have to work on Cocoa in the Kayak though lol.
    I'm hoping when we go to the beach, the hubs will get us another appointment at the spa for a couples massage and just relaxing and being pampered. If you book you get to use the sauna, hot tubs and everything all day. Pretty cool!

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