I find myself fantasizing about locations lately—specifically getaways. See, this August marks my twentieth wedding anniversary. We haven’t gone anywhere without the kids for longer than a weekend, but this year we decided to plan a *real* vacation, just the two of us. And after being cooped up for over a year with hardly more than a date or two, we’re beyond ready to see some sights beyond New Mexico and get a little *us* time.
We’ve been dreaming and searching and building a budget, reading blogs, oohing and ahhing over pictures. Trouble is, we have a few ideas where we don’t want to go (ahem, a cruise, no can do for this girl), we just haven’t been able to decide where we do.
I’m asking you to help us figure out where to go!
The options are limited to mainland USA (at least this year) and neither of us want to visit anywhere too people-y. I adore beach and mountain retreats equally, and while we want to spend some quality time relaxing sans kids, I know we’ll also want to do a little sightseeing. After all, this shutterbug just got a new phone with a ridiculously awesome camera, so you know I’ve got the itch to go somewhere Instagram-worthy LOL!
My research endeavors so far have filled up a bucket list it’ll take two lifetimes to complete (and you should see my outside-the-US list!). So far the top contenders are somewhere in the Florida Keys or the Couer d’Alene/Yellowstone area. We’ve also drooled over places such as Glacier National Park, islands off the coast of Georgia, Cannon Beach in Oregon (with a tour of the Goonies sites!), and of course, Hawaii (which is sadly out of budget ha ha). As you can see, our tastes are all over the map.
I’ve been traveling virtually the past year to some wonderful places via Christian and Inspy romances, but so far nothing has leapt off the page as a getaway locale I’m just dying to see. What about you? Have you traveled anywhere recently, either in reality or in fiction, that stands out as an ideal romantic getaway? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!
You can bet I’ll be doing my research after I scour your comments for new ideas, and chances are very, very high that if I can’t visit in real life, I just might have to take a virtual trip. So be sure to leave the title if you suggest a spot you read about even if you haven’t been there in person! I might even send future characters off to a fantasy locale based on your suggestions! I mean, what else is a girl who writes supposed to do?
Thanks in advance for all the amazing suggestions I know you’re sure to come up with, I’ll be responding throughout the day. And though I’m limiting the number of giveaways I’ll be doing this year, I’ll make an exception if YOUR suggestion ends up being our anniversary getaway destination! Winner will be notified via email as soon as we make a reservation. You can follow me on Instagram to find out where we chose to go this summer! Are you planning to go anywhere exciting after the restrictions lift? I’d love to hear about your plans as well.
Congratulations on reaching such a milestone. I too will be celebrating 20 years in September. We had been planning on visiting Alaska and this was going to be the year but 2020 hit and with it our plans. But one place I’m thinking of is Destin, FL. I keep hearing really good things about, if you are in that part of the state you should visit Falling Waters State Park. May The Lord blessed you with many more years.
We have not been able to travel for many years. We used to travel to the Thomas/Davis/Canaan Valley area in West Virginia. The area has two state parks. Blackwater Falls has a beautiful falls with a walk area down close to the falls. Canaan Valley has golfing and a ski lift. Both parks have campgrounds and lodges. They have wonderful trails. There are deer in both parks as well as lots of wildlife. The mountains are stunning.
I would go to Kauai in Hawaii as its a beautiful Island and very romantic. its not as populated as Ohau and Maui and has so much beauty, A Waimea Canyon, Beaches. and some beautiful hidden falls etc.
But if you don’t want to fly I spent time with my friend near Chattanooga. The battlefield was interesting, Lookout mountain and Rock city are places I would have liked to spend more time at, also Ruby falls, And there are lots of other attractions and I think there are a lot of cabins you can hire out for your self. When my friend and I went to Rock City and also Ruby Falls it wasn’t over crowded. For me I would rather mountains but places like washington state have both within driving distance.
Besides day trips to Adelaide for medical issues and to a larger regional centre to shop been nowhere for a couple of years.
Haven’t been anywhere for awhile but I Love The Great Smoky Mountains it is Beautiful but also My oldest daughter lives in Florida now and She is always talking about The Santa Marie Islands I have never been there yet but maybe someday!
You mentioned Cannon Beach, OR and that’s my neck of the woods! I heard rumors you can no longer visit the Goonie House but I’m not sure about any other sites you can. I guess for me, Goonies wasn’t a film I really got into (sorry) but it’s huge out here.
The one place my husband and I visited in 2016 after our son graduated from High School was San Fransisco. We went in October when the weather wasn’t too hot or cold; my favorite place was Chinatown! I want to go back one day to have a tour of Alcatraz. But I’m thinking it would be too “peoply” for you, lol!
The other thing we enjoyed doing was driving along the coast (Hwy 101) and just stopping wherever tickled our fancy. Of coarse, we had set up places to stay ahead of time. The Redwood Forest was the highlight of that trip 🙂
Oregon & Washington have a TON of things to offer a traveler….and I have no specific thing to recommend. There’s just SO much and it depends on what you like to do or see.
Seeing the Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Carolina was so beautiful! I so want to go back there and explore more. They offer packages if you stay at one of their hotels on the property or you can find a nice hotel near there too. Biltmore has so much to do on the estate, plus you can hike the Blue Ridge mountain park and see all sorts of things. Whatever you decide I hope you both have a wonderful anniversary!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your suggestions and will do some research! Hmm… Pepper Basham writes a lot about Blue Ridge and the Biltmore! I think I’ll have to make a virtual visit this week! LOL!
So many good options have already been shared. Of course, it depends on how touristy you want to be. For instance, Gatlinburg, TN is right in the middle of the beautiful Smokey Mountains. It is also the home of Dollywood. If theme parks appeal, you are good to go. If not, then something a little more secluded might be of interest. I grew up in upstate NY. It wasn’t until I left home and showed pictures from home to a friend that I got a change in perspective. Her comment to me was an incredulous, “You live there?! It’s beautiful!” It truly is. Rolling hills, orchards and vineyards among the Finger Lakes (check out hotel/spa La Tourelle in Ithaca, NY – home to Ivy League Cornell University). Or the Adirondack Mountains. Okay, what qualify for mountains east of the Mississippi are foothills out west. But check out lakefront cabin rentals in the Adirondacks. Your shutterbug will be going crazy. Depending on which area you choose, you can be an easy drive away from Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame among many other attractions). Also easy access to larger cities like Syracuse, Buffalo, etc. The main attraction, though, is the countryside and the connection with nature, perfect for some *us* time. Check it out :).
Thanks, Lincoln! Great list of options here that I’ll be adding to my research list. I so appreciate you!
PS Didn’t think about it as I was writing the above but NY may be pretty restrictive where official COVID controls are concerned. Hmm, makes you want to travel incovidnito.
LOL you never fail to make me laugh, Lincoln.
I will second Trudy’s suggestion of Amelia Island, FL. Lovely walkable beach. Quaint historic town of Fernandina Beach. Usually not overcrowded unless you go over a holiday, like the 4th of July or the Georgia/Florida football weekend, which is in October, so summer vacation doesn’t even get close to that date.
Awesome! I’ll definitely check it out. I’m leery of FL during hurricane season, but since our dates are flexible, I’m keeping my options open for now. LOL! Thank you!
I haven’t traveled during the pandemic, except when we went to NY so my husband could visit his mom in the hospital. My son and I stayed in the hotel, except when we went out to get takeout.
Yeah, we haven’t gone anywhere other than a quick visit to see my family last summer when the numbers were much lower. Not that we’re seeing them drop again, I am READY! LOL!
I love going to the mountains in NM and staying in a cabin. We have also stayed at a couple of Bed and Breakfasts and the people were very nice. We enjoyed going to Colorado one year and were rode the train up the mountains and we loved that. I think Calif. is a beautiful place to visit the scenery is beautiful , San Jose , Santa Cruz , LA, San Diego and all that area is Beautiful. I also loved visited The Painted Desert in Arizona in the Petrified Forest is really also a Beautiful place to visit, I loved it and it is really something to see. Have a Great week and stay safe.
Thanks for your suggestions. I agree wholeheartedly as these are among our usual stomping grounds. This time I’m thinking we want to explore farther north or east!
I would do a trip along the Highway 1 – Oregon to California – ocean AND mountains (sightseeing, hiking, beautiful pictures are guaranteed!)
Stop by in Carmel-by-the-Sea <3
That’s on our bucket list someday for sure, I’m just not sure it’s feasible since Cali has joined our state (NM) among the more highly closed and slow to open places across the nation. 🙁
Opening June 15 🙂
I’m thinking a road-trip in the UP of Michigan may be my answer for a get-away that’s not too people-y later this summer. Not sure if that will mean going touring to the various waterfalls or maybe risking a Mackinac Island stay.
Oooh, yes! I forgot to check into Mackinac Island! I’ll add that to my research list for what they’re up to with covid. Thanks!!
I thought going to the Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN was a great getaway a few years ago. Plenty of things to take pictures of (breathtaking scenery), secluded cabins, and touristy things to do. We’re planning a couple of nights away at a local resort when we feel comfortable doing so. I’m not a big fan of traveling so this will be a nice getaway for me and next year we’re hoping for a beach vacation which is more my hubby’s thing.
Nice! It’s always tough when you and your hubby have opposing tastes in what makes a vacation. LOL! I know the feeling. Thanks for the tip!
Ok, since you asked, I’ll tell!! You do NOT want to go to the Keys during hurricane season, as Renate stated. Just take it from this Florida native, that would NOT be fun and relaxing! Plus, too crowded. However, St. Simons Island, GA, Amelia Island, FL, those would be excellent choices! I haven’t been to St. Simons, though I want to really bad! If you go to Amelia Island, you could stay at one of the best B & B’s, Addison on Amelia. I have been there, that’s how I know it’s good! I would say you’d need to go to the absolute best B & B, Americus Garden Inn in Americus, GA, but they’re still closed due to Covid. Lots to do in and around Americus, and in and around Amelia Island. Of course, you could also go to St. Augustine, where there’s tons to do, and lots of old places, too!
LOL! I agree! I’ve been trying to talk my husband OUT of the Keys for exactly those reasons. I don’t like crowds, either! I’ll check your recommendations out, though, and keep an eye on the covid closures as well. Thank you!
I understand the dilemma. We had plans to go to England for our 40th. In September, 2020. We, uh, went kayaking at a nearby mountain lake instead! It was a great day, but it definitely wasn’t England.
In the US, my favorite spots are around Eureka, California, in the redwoods. The Trees of Mystery tourist location is great – you can ride a gondola up the mountain amid the giant trees. We also love the Oregon coast, especially Cape Perpetua. Thankful we drove “the long way” home from 20Books conference in Las Vegas in November 2019 and hit that whole section of the seacoast highway. Now the international border has been closed for over a year, so who knows when we’ll get back there?!?!
No kidding! That’s where we are running into some trouble. Our state (New Mexico) is still very strict on the covid policies mostly because they follow California, Oregon, and Washington, which makes visiting those states a bit more challenging until we know for sure which state is going to open up a little more by August. Sigh!
Maine is beautiful
That’s what I hear. Anywhere specifically I should check out?
Hi Jaycee! During this most unusual time, I understand your dilemma. Our family was going to go on vacation this week to Branson, Missouri. Unfortunately my daughter in law tested positive for Covid and the my oldest son and three grandkids are quarantined. Bye bye vacation. Fortunately our son was able to cancel the time share and get his points back. Who know when we will travel next. So very difficult to make plans of any kind.
Having driven coast to coast and being an avid reader, while Florida and Georgia are beautiful – not sure I would plan an Anniversary Trip during hurricane season in the Florida Keys or islands of Georgia. Have had friends that have ridden out hurricanes. Hallmark even has a movie about it.
Had friends, who really enjoyed Glacier National Park, but looked at their website and July and August is their busy season. A romantic cabin or a B&B sounds like a perfect romantic getaway. So much to consider. As a Midwesterner I enjoy vacationing around the Great Lakes or Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.
Best wishes.
Excellent considerations, and points I made to my husband as well LOL! I’ll look closer at the Smokey mountains. Thanks!
You mentioned Glacier National Park, which I visited in late 2019. I ended up setting a three-book series there! I can’t wait to go back. Get yourself a little romantic cabin at the North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls, about 20 minutes from the park. It’s absolutely magical. Whitefish is about 20 minutes the other direction with a great little downtown for strolling and shopping. Enjoy your special celebration!
I’ll have to check those cabins out! Thanks for the tip!