It’s crucial to take time to truly disconnect and relax. While we often think of vacations as the perfect opportunity for this, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, even while we’re making incredible memories, embarking on unique adventures, and enjoying new experiences, we don’t fully allow our minds and bodies to unwind.

Over the past month, my husband and I have been on two road trips that were packed with activities, social interactions, and long hours on the road. Although we cherished the memories and the time spent with others, we find ourselves in need of some quiet time alone—just the two of us—to truly relax and disconnect.

We have a few more trips planned for this year, but there’s one in mid-October that we’re especially looking forward to. We’ll be returning to North Carolina during one of the most beautiful times of the year—just in time to witness the breathtaking autumn foliage. We can’t wait to see the mountains ablaze with vibrant reds, yellows, oranges, and so many other stunning colors.

We decided that instead of visitng all the usual tourist destinations we will make time to explore the countryside, make time to relax, and take things a little slower so we can come back feeling refreshed and energized.