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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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August 28, 2014

Off the Grid

Sometimes you just need to go off the grid.

Sometimes you find yourself longing for the chance to kind of run away…drop out of sight.

Sometimes you don’t even realize how much you were longing for wide open spaces until you suddenly find yourself surrounded by 14,000 acres of them.

homestead cabin

Sometimes you need to feel connected to the past and be reminded that everything doesn’t begin and end with you.

old lantern

And that quiet, true quiet is like no other kind of therapy.

Sometimes you need to not even have the option of checking emails or texts or facebook because there’s no cell service or WiFi.

log cabin with horse ropes

Sometimes you need to see your kids so excited to collect eggs that you would have thought they were going on a ride at Disneyland.

collecting eggs

And marvel at them like they are the very first eggs ever hatched.

fresh eggs

Sometimes it’s worth getting up very early (way earlier than one should be getting up while on vacation!) just so your kids can have the opportunity to bottle-feed calves and you can catch a glimpse of the sheer joy on their faces.

kids feeding calves

Sometimes you need to make new friends and hear their stories. You need to marvel at the determination of a young woman who started out washing dishes in the kitchen and wound up being the ranch manager.

And while you’re at it marvel at her patience as she tried to teach your children about horses.

kids with Larissa

Sometimes you need to see your daughter take to those horses like she’d been around them her entire life and then start coming up with ways to convince your husband that he really doesn’t want to be a Pharmaceutical rep after all but would rather be a rancher instead.

our little cowgirl

And sometimes you watch in awe as your son waits sooooooo patiently for that first nibble on his fishing line.

fishing

Sometimes you need to document the gutting of a fish because you can’t believe that the same child who’s been known to get skittish watching his sister blow her nose is happily cutting the head off the fish he just caught and examining it’s eyeballs.

And you feel so thankful that your dad is the one teaching him how to do this and not you.

cleaning fish

Sometimes just the sight of your husband lying on the dock with his legs dangling off the edge into the cool water means more to you than your own relaxation because you know just how badly he needs this moment of peace.

lying on the dock

Sometimes the peels of laughter coming from the wrestling match happening in the next room will remind you once again how very grateful you are to have parents who will come ‘off the grid’ with you just so they can get this time with their grandchildren and make memories to last a lifetime.

wrestling with nonna and poppa

The thing is, sometimes you just need to…’be’.

With no deadlines, nowhere we have to go.

log cabin

No appointments we have to keep…except for the one with a fishing pole.

fishing poles

Going ‘off the grid’ gives you a chance to reconnect with your surroundings, with the ones you love and well…yourself.

fence

And sometimes you don’t even realize just how badly you needed those moments until you are actually in them.

cowgirl

 

Sometimes you go ‘off the grid’ and find yourself awfully close to paradise right here on earth!

Thank you to Steve and Karen (and Larissa!) of Aspen Ridge Ranch Resort  for providing the backdrop for this unforgettable adventure.

 

 

15 Comments Filed Under: Family, Good Thoughts

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Comments

  1. Vanessa says

    August 28, 2014 at 4:15 AM

    What a great vacation and I totally get what you mean. Just getting away helps you relax and just enjoy the small things. Seem like a great place.

    Reply
  2. Lori Alexander says

    August 28, 2014 at 4:46 AM

    We just got back from my mom’s cabin in Wisconsin that doesn’t have Internet access. It is amazing how much more time we would spend on the back porch, looking at the lake and simply talking and being quiet. We would have long dinners together. I just love going there for the concentrated family time of just being together. Modern technology is great in many ways, but just as harmful in many ways also.

    Reply
  3. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    August 28, 2014 at 4:54 AM

    You said it so beautifully….I try and go “off the grid” from time to time…keeps life in the right perspective….So glad you and your family had a magical experience.

    Reply
  4. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    August 28, 2014 at 4:57 AM

    Sounds like an amazing vacation!! Looking forward to (mostly) being off the grid week after next. Can’t wait!
    xo

    Reply
  5. Nancy Sharp says

    August 28, 2014 at 5:02 AM

    Ooooo what a wonderful vacation. You write so beautifully. So happy for your family to have this time together. I bet the grandparents had more fun than the kids. Being with Grandkids is pure joy!

    Reply
  6. Vicki Shead says

    August 28, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    Oh Wow! I’m so thrilled you made time with your family. It’s a very busy week here. I enjoyed and seeing every moment of your adventure. It’s been a really crazy week for me. I think I might unplug a little this weekend too. AHHHH!

    Reply
  7. laura@top this top that says

    August 28, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    oh i love it! my kind of family vacation. what beautiful images on print and in your heart forever.

    Reply
  8. Carol Reddin says

    August 28, 2014 at 7:38 AM

    It was a wonderful time with y’all! Thank you for sharing the pictures and words. Memories to last all of our lives!! Mom

    Reply
  9. Linda says

    August 28, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    What a beautifully written post. Perspective is a wonderful thing. Nice to have those moments in time to treasure forever. Hold onto them in your heart.

    Reply
  10. Julia G. says

    August 28, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    What a great way to spend your vacation. We are heading “off the grid” on Monday!

    Reply
  11. Marty Walden says

    August 28, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    I am totally there! We go on vacation in a few weeks and I desperately need to unplug, unhook, relax and read a good book! Except I might have to watch HGTV because we don’t have cable and that would be a guilty pleasure! Your pics are amazing!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 28, 2014 at 5:05 PM

      Thanks so much sweet friend! I hope you have a truly relaxing time getting away from it all and enjoying that HGTV. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Karli says

    August 28, 2014 at 1:06 PM

    Reading this made me tear up. I realize how badly I need to get away and really get off the grid. Thank you for the reminder. Amazing post—something I really needed to hear today.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 28, 2014 at 5:05 PM

      Oh I’m so glad it resonated with you Karli and I really hope you can get some time away and be refreshed! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Maria (Magia Mia) says

    August 30, 2014 at 10:21 AM

    I’d know Central Oregon anywhere. Don’t we live in a beautiful state? 🙂

    Reply

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