When a Change of Scenery is Just What You Need

by Lois Flowers

The week after Christmas, my sister texted me to find out how our holiday in North Dakota had been. It was good, I told her. I got sick on the way there and didn’t feel like myself most of the time, but it was nice to get away.

Then I added this:

“I think this whole year has sort of finally caught up with me … a week in a secluded mountain cabin sounds really good about now.”

At the time, we had no plans to spend any time in a remote mountain cabin. But sometime in February, after various life events left us all a bit worn around the edges, we decided a spring-break trip was in order.

Randy searched high and low for the perfect Colorado cabin, finally securing us a place about an hour from Colorado Springs—a favorite vacation destination we most recently visited three years ago.

We packed up and took off last Wednesday. Though the road trip was long, it was just what our family needed.

Over the next several days, Randy cooked and built fires in the cabin’s wood stove. We played cards, soaked in the hot tub, made s’mores, watched The Hobbit and ate Klondike bars. We rode a train through the Royal Gorge, practically blew across one of the world’s highest extension bridges, climbed on rocks at the Garden of the Gods, and—of course—took lots of pictures. I even got to sneak in a quick coffee date with a friend I first met through blogging.

Our little vacation wasn’t exactly the secluded getaway I was dreaming of after Christmas. I didn’t sleep well the first couple of nights. Not all the tourist attractions we visited lived up to the hype. And despite my good intentions and carefully prepared materials, I didn’t write a single word at the cabin.

But we had a wonderful time together as a family, which was the whole point of the trip.

And on the way back to eastern Kansas, I got more writing done in a few short hours than I have in weeks at home. That tells me something about the therapeutic effects of a change of scenery, especially when the views are as breathtaking as the ones we just experienced.

Lois

There's something therapeutic about a change of scenery. Click To Tweet

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Chasing Community, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.

Leave a Comment

30 comments

Laura at Fantastically Four March 23, 2018 - 9:26 am

I feel like I got a bit of a break just looking at these pictures! 🙂 Glad you got a chance to get away.

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:30 pm

Me too, Laura. And I’m glad the pictures were refreshing for you … they do the same for me!

Reply
Brenda March 22, 2018 - 2:56 pm

Wow, that is gorgeous. So glad you were able to get away and rest your mind and body. I pray you’re feeling refreshed and filled-up as you return to life at home. ((Hug))

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:28 pm

I am, Brenda … very much so! Hugs, friend!

Reply
Sarah Geringer March 22, 2018 - 6:27 am

A breath of peace stole over me as I looked over your photos, Lois. Thanks for sharing your change of scenery here!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:27 pm

That’s how I feel when I look at the pictures too, Sarah! I’m glad you enjoyed them. 🙂

Reply
Sarah Donegan March 22, 2018 - 6:08 am

A secluded cabin does sound wonderful. Glad you got to go!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:26 pm

Thanks, Sarah. Have your girls had spring break yet? Hope it’s a good one for you too!

Reply
Valerie Sisco March 21, 2018 - 10:17 am

Hi Lois,
I loved looking at your photos and it looks like you all had a fantastic time! I had to laugh about you not getting any writing in, even though you carefully planned to accomplish it. 🙂 Somehow my best laid plans to relax never quite come to fruition but sometimes what happens (even though it’s not on my agenda) is even better! Love the cabin rules sign too! xoxo

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:25 pm

We did have a great time, Valerie. And I know what you mean about those best-laid plans. We drove around quite a bit more than I had anticipated, but the scenery was beautiful and it was nice just to be together, wherever we were. Hugs, friend!

Reply
Bev @ Walking Well With God March 21, 2018 - 5:10 am

Lois,
I, too, love the rules of the cabin. I agree, sometimes you just need a change of scenery. It’s refreshing and gets us outside our rut. Then magically, home becomes a welcome place to return to. Enjoyed your photos along the way.
Blessings,
Bev xx

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:20 pm

You’re exactly right about the magic of coming home, Bev. Something inside me has been recalibrated, and I’m so glad to be here now! 🙂

Reply
Jeanne Takenaka March 20, 2018 - 10:07 pm

Lois, I’m so glad you had a great time with your family! I was so, so happy to spend some time with you! And to meet your sweet family. I’m glad you got to try so many things, AND that you found the llamas!

I’m also glad you accomplished so much writing in those hours on the drive home.

You have some beautiful pictures here. May they refresh when you begin to feel depleted again.

So thankful for you, friend!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:17 pm

I haven’t gotten tired of looking at the pictures yet, Jeanne … you are so lucky to get to live with such scenery every day. 🙂 The llamas were my favorite … I had no idea they had so many color variations! And I loved spending time with you too … I’m glad you got to meet Randy and the girls, and I enjoyed learning more about your boys too. Hugs, friend!

Reply
Theresa Boedeker March 20, 2018 - 7:46 pm

Love the rules of the cabin. I need to follow these more. Beautiful pictures. Yes, sometimes we just need to get away or have a change of pace. I just got back from a week at my sisters where we did little of anything. Anything serious or not relaxing.

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 8:51 am

I’m glad you had a chance to get away to your sister’s, Theresa. I need to follow those cabin rules more too! 🙂

Reply
Mary Geisen March 20, 2018 - 5:25 pm

What a lovely time of retreat with your family. I believe a change of scenery always does the heart good. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. I pray your writing time has improved since you have been back home.

PS I saw you got to visit with one of my favorite people-Jeanne! What a treat!

Reply
Jeanne Takenaka March 20, 2018 - 10:07 pm

Awww, Mary. You (and Lois too!) are some of my favorite people!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 5:12 pm

🙂

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 8:50 am

Yes, it definitely did my heart good to get away, Mary. And my visit with Jeanne was a highlight of the trip … do I remember seeing you in her pictures of the Five-Minute Friday retreat in Kansas City last summer?

Reply
Lesley March 20, 2018 - 4:57 pm

I love the photos and that you had a good break! Sometimes that can be just what we need to recharge and be refreshed!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 8:44 am

I agree, Lesley. And the fact that it was a little bit on the spontaneous side (at least for us) made it even more fun! 🙂

Reply
Michele Morin March 20, 2018 - 4:19 pm

WONDERFUL!
I’m so happy that you had that opportunity to breathe and refresh.
I’m sure it was great for the whole family to be together.

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 8:44 am

Yes, Michele … now that Lilly is driving and doesn’t “need” me in some of the ways she always has, it was definitely beneficial to be in such close proximity to one another for several days. We didn’t even have long heart-to-heart talks or anything, just presence. It was good.

Reply
Trudy March 20, 2018 - 11:24 am

Wow, Lois! Such breath-taking views, for sure! Thank you for sharing them. 🙂 Yes, a change of scenery can be so therapeutic. I’m so glad you and your family were able to break away for a while. What you have been going through must seep the energy out of your body and spirit. God be with you and give you strength! Love and hugs to you!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 8:40 am

Thank you, sweet friend! I feel more refreshed than I have for a long time … the views, the company, the cabin … I think it all played a part. Love and hugs right back to you!

Reply
bethany mcilrath March 20, 2018 - 7:44 am

Oh my goodness, that scenery!! So glad you all had a great getaway, Lois! A change of scenery and time with people you love has a way of untangling and unloosing the words. Great point! Enjoy the post-break re-settling too!

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 8:39 am

Thanks, Bethany … it’s been good to be back home. I think I’ve gotten more done this week than I did in the past several months. Maybe it was the vacation, maybe it’s the daffodils blooming in my backyard. Whatever it is, I’m thankful!

Reply
Linda Stoll March 20, 2018 - 6:44 am

A lovely exhale.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is get outdoors with the people we love. Recharge and refresh and recalibrate.

The writing springs forth from the bounty of it all. Thanks for the reminder, friend …

Reply
Lois Flowers March 23, 2018 - 8:38 am

You are great about calling us to the same, Linda. And you’re right … it was a “lovely exhale.” 🙂

Reply