An Introvert’s Dream Vacation

ByD'Ann Mateer
18 Comments

We had several really great trips on the books for this summer. My husband’s business conferences usually picks very desirable locations. And we had even looked forward to one set of kids (a son and daughter-in-law) joining us for a week in Colorado Springs.

But of course none of it happened.

And yet we didn’t want to completely lose the vacation time with our kids. And my husband desperately needed a break. So we booked a friend’s Airbnb lake house in East Texas and took off.

Sunset over Lake Fork

Five days of uninterrupted bliss! Not only was it incredibly restful to be in a house (not a condo!) where we weren’t guests (I mean, technically we were guests, but our “hosts” weren’t on site, so we were on our own), we didn’t even come within shouting distance of anyone the entire trip. Therefore, no masks. None. And that was a vacation in and of itself!

Lazy lake days

We were fortunate that August took an uncharacteristic dip in temperature during that time, too. Instead of seeking out the AC by mid-morning, we were able to linger in the shade on the deck or the dock well into the afternoon.

Sadie chickened out, but the rest were brave.

Everyone took a turn on the kayak except me, because I saw those fish jumping and the turtles poking their heads out! While Sadie, our kids’ 7-month-old golden retriever (who lives in an apartment!), had a blast in the water. She even got brave enough to jump from the dock!

It took a little coaxing, but in she went!

We played horseshoes. We read. We played Scrabble. We read. We walked and talked and laughed and napped. And we read.

We watched baseball and basketball (which none of us get at our house!). We read. We made dinner, made s’mores, made cookies. And we read.

S’mores! Yum!

We were sad our daughter-in-law had to leave after 2 days to go back to work, but our son and the dog stayed on and enjoyed the quiet with us.

We played corn hole. We read. We walked and talked and kayaked. And napped and read some more.

After five days of both good conversations and lots of quiet, we felt rested, ready to face to our COVID-crazy world.

We won’t forget this vacation for a long while. We didn’t see historical sites or eat fabulous food, just read and thought and talked. We didn’t spend the days in majestic nature, just an ordinary lake with grass and trees. We didn’t stay at a luxury resort, just a nicely cozy log cabin.

And our introvert souls were at peace.

Have you been able to find a place of peace during the crazy that is 2020? At home or away from home? With others or alone? Please share!

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Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

18 Comments

  3. While most of my trips were canceled for the year, I was able to go on one because it’s a trip to my sister’s house in North Carolina. This year, rather than it being just my mom and I that went, we had my niece and one of my nephews along as well. They’re both adults now and brought along their two dogs as well. We read, laughed, talked, sat at the pool and beach, and read some more. Both of the “kids” were happy that reading time was plentiful! We all read and talked about our books. So fun!

    1. I think that has been such a blessing during this time—opportunities with grown up kids that aren’t usually available! So glad you had a good trip!

  6. Thanks for sharing your vacation so beautifully and eloquently! I felt like I’d been on a 5-minute vacation when I was done reading about yours! I’m flying to stay with a friend in AZ (from WA) in September, and that will give me a very similar joy and relief as your vacation did. The Lord provides in abundant ways!

  7. Strangely, we have had a good summer at home. Normally we travel, we took two short camping trips close to home and due to the heat decided to stay home in our yard with the occasional kayak outing.
    Your cottage break looked wonderful and we missed our vacation at our cottage. The kicker was we would have to drive 1000 miles to do that and there are so many people between the two locations.
    We have discovered that God is good at home too. 😀

    1. Amen! God gives the grace we need—to go or to stay at home. And each is a blessing in its own way.

  8. Well throughout the Quarintine! I found my favorite spot at the thirty eight acres me and my family own it’s a quiet little mossy spot on a hill and I call it my prayer nook it’s been my refuge through these hard times I just know The Lord showed that little spot for a reason

    1. How wonderful—both to have acres on which to roam and to find “your” spot! What a gift!

  9. Introvert souls at peace…
    Love those words, and recognise that lockdown and WFH has been so much harder for natural extroverts. Greatest gift for us has been the freedom to work
    at home, no commuting, Love your freedom to travel and explore so much
    From Saturday 22nd, we will be allowed to welcome friends and family, staying in our house, high in the hills. .

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