A few years ago I began going away, solo, for my birthday.
My wife started the tradition. With two kids, plus a business to keep running, having quiet relaxing time was super scarce. Sleeping in or even eating uninterrupted was a luxury. We’d give each other this time away for our birthdays. A step away from our normal responsibilities and time to recharge.
I’m finding that it’s harder then one would think to find a nice place to chill for a weekend (especially in the winter).
The whole industry that’s popped up from Airbnb and VRBO is not built for that… it’s for folks going to explore someplace. When your planned activities involve mostly sitting it gets surprisingly challenging.
Most rental properties are focused on a great place to crash after a day of sight seeing, or business meetings, or hiking, or skiing… less to lounge around all day, reflect, read and watch movies.
So, while I sit in this cute as a button A-frame cabin in Downeast Maine I was thinking about what my list is for a solo trip like this.
Comfortable places to sit. This is a biggie and the hardest to find. At my really-best I’m looking to sit and reflect, perhaps journal and write. At my less-than-best I’m here to watch movies and drink whiskey. (To be honest, I want to do both but I only have 3 days. I find abusing my mind and stomach tends to make them less capable and interested in of quiet reflection. It hasn’t stopped me from trying.) I think a place where you can comfortably sit for hours at a time is a key criteria and unfortunately hard to come by. Even harder to glean from the listings or reviews.
Not too big. I can rent a house for 6 and only use one bed… but that feels lonely vs. cozy.
Basic creature comforts. I’m not looking to rough it. Power, running water and heat are on my current list of non-negotiables.
I debate on internet access. I do like it for the ultimate variety of movies, tv and music options, but it’s a slippery slope to mindless scrolling. I’m thinking I might be better off by removing the temptation.
Solitude. I don’t need to be in the middle of nowhere but hearing children crying in a hotel or seeing someone’s house 10’ from my window isn’t what I’m looking for.
Within a reasonable budget. This is for an individual but if a place can sleep four, it’s priced for four. Even so, the higher the price points for a smaller places usually mean the more amenities you can check off… we’ve seen lustful cabins on the internet 🤤… alas my situation doesn’t allow for that… yet.
If I was building a complete wishlist it’d include a fireplace, a steam room, a sauna, and a hot tub… but that doesn’t jive with the reasonable budget.
Not too far away. I’d love to take more time but that doesn’t fit with my life right now. Any time that’s used for traveling is time that’s not used for relaxing. Having to go more than a few hours away needs to check a LOT of boxes by the time I arrive…. like that hot tub. 😁
It’s been a really wonderful tradition for me. I’m curious if as I get older and my life changes will the types of weekends I take change too? If nothing else, I’d love to do it more often so there’s no need to try and pack everything into three days.
Who knows.. maybe this summer I’ll have another post from my next solo getaway? 🤷♂️
Do you take solo trips like this? If you don’t already, would you? What is your wishlist for haves and have-nots?
Is it similar to what I’m doing - a weekend of chilling? Or something different, like culinary tour to eat some fantastic food in some major city? Maybe it’s 3 days of theatre? Or a trip to some nature wonderland filled with outdoor recreation?
I’d love to hear about it!
a.
Thanks Miriam!!!
I ♥️ Getaway House, but since moving to Maine they're a bit too far for me to travel 🙁. (They also lack chairs usually 😁)
The first time I stayed in one I said "I want one of these as my own". I even thought of trying to buy a used one from them. I love getaway house. That huge window for the win. (and I can put a chair in my self :-P )
Happy birthday, Adam! These are super sweet one or two people mini cabins, but a bit far from where you are. They look pretty idyllic, no? https://getaway.house/