Shutter Sisters

Day Off

By

This weekend, we ran away from home, if only for a day.  It was not a day to worry about what we were missing online, on television or what was still lingering on our to-do lists.  Rather, it was a day to give ourselves a break from responsibilities, spend time together as a family and indulge in our favorite activities.

Without the distractions, we focused on the simple joys of life.  And for our family, nothing soothes our tired spirits like visiting the ranch, playing with farm animals and walking the docks of the local fish camp.  We returned home relaxed and refocused.

Today, I invite you to share some images of your favorite activities. What do you like to do when you need to escape the day?

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Comments

  1. Very well said, for me I’d like to stay somewhere quiet where you can rest your mind from all the noise and distractions of city living. Somewhere very rustic and very close to nature where you can hear the chirping of the birds and the rustling of the leaves as you take a very long and relaxing nap.

  5. I found it so hard to get a day off that I literally had to escape to the mountains and shut out the world for a few days. I did this is at a retreat center a couple of hours from where I live and it was the best gift I every gave myself. My time of solitude was so meaningful to me, that I made a personal commitment to go once each season throughout the following year. Next month will be the one year anniversary of that decision and my fifth retreat this year. Here is a link to my flickr photo album I took while on my summer retreat. I'm still processing all the photos so more will be added later.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/leanne8790/sets/72157627435155346/with/6043631705/

  18. Escape… sounds lovely! I don't get very many chances to escape, but when I do, I like to go to this place… the mountains. We only got out to Nordegg once this year, but I keep hoping…

    I know I've shared some photos from this mountain visit here before, but I can't help myself sharing more. This is serious business my son gets into in the mountains with his daddy. Very soothing and inspirational, especially when I can play to my hearts content with the light.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/koreenphotography/6146697015/in/photostream/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/koreenphotography/6147264204/in/photostream/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/koreenphotography/6146707699/in/photostream/

  21. I escape on my bicycle. I can go to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and ride the towpath or I can meander through neighborhoods near my house. Riding a bike is great–you can go for a fast sprint, and seconds later just pedal slowly and take in it all in. If you have energy you sprint or if you are tired you coast! Embrace the Zen of the bicycle!

  22. What a lovely post Tammy. This looks so very relaxing. What do I do to relax? Go to the sea and take photos!

  30. Recently we were out of power for 8 days. Getting unplugged brings you back to basics. We played games and played outside until it got dark.

  31. We love to be in nature. Specifically, the mountains. Another way for us to unwind is to spend time with our three amazing dogs. We are hoping to get away for the weekend to the mountains this fall, it's just one of those things that completely rejuvenates you!

    I mean look how gorgeous it is up in the ADK, and these are just photos I was able to take in passing while visiting friends: http://michellebodamer.squarespace.com/blog/2010/9/7/adirondack-mountains-weekend-with-friends-nature.html

    When a getaway isn't possible, the dogs really help us keep it in perspective. 🙂 I love our pups!

  33. My family and I were really in need of an escape from home this summer…especially me. Without sounding too 'whoa is me', our neighborhood experienced an F3 tornado in June and then a microburst came through town end of July and caused power outages and another big mess. I don't do well with clutter and disorganization and I do really well when I am accomplishing things (which I wasn't), so it was a stressful June and July. At least I tried not be stressed…I tried to not let things bother me and focus on appreciating the good things in life….like my kids and hubby.

    So when it came time for a couple of escapes, I was really appreciating the time, and really so happy and thankful that we had glorious weather. A trip to Cape Cod with the kids and an early morning walk to see the hundreds of seals off Chatham resulted in this cherished photo of my oldest and youngest….

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29333822@N07/6082712402/

    Also in August we made our annual visit to our friends' lakehouse where I usually get my best pictures of the year. I came home with hundreds of photos of the kids having a blast tubing with each other and their friends. And one day I got myself in a kayak with my camera and followed two adult and two baby loons around the lake….snapping some pictures of nature and enjoying some well needed quiet time doing something I love….

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29333822@N07/6145747324/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29333822@N07/6147215249/

    Now the kids are back in school and although we've experienced shocks of an earthquake and a hurricane…..I'm feeling a little more in control and ready to get things accomplished!!

  44. I often like to do the same thing when I don't have the energy to do the household chores that have become overwhelming. The next day we are refreshed and the irrational anxiety has disappeared. Me and my family went to Niagara-on-lake a couple of weeks ago, bought peaches, strolled around town while the kids enjoyed playing in a wading pool. We couldn't have asked for a better day.

  47. I just discovered your blog via The Pioneer Woman. Perfect timing as I will be getting a dslr and will need tons of tips!