Staycation after Vacation
Ever been back from a vacation and felt like you needed your own vacation, ya know, from vacation?
When our family vacays, we vacay. This year it included 11 days of driving across 5 states and back, including the entire span of Alabama on roads where I didn’t see any civilization for literally miles (cue the panic attack). I loooooove a road trip! And I especially love a road trip adventure. It’s fun to see new things, and new experiences are things I still talk about today from 20 years ago (hello, karaoke on Avenue B on the lower east side at 1 a.m.).
So part of what inspired my staycay from the vacay was my craving to adventure and experience something new. I’d wanted to stay at the 21C Museum Hotel by Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville for ages. And while I had eaten at The Hive restaurant and been TO the hotel as well as the museum many times, I had never stayed at the hotel. I was already meeting up with friends for the rest of the weekend. Cue my staycay.
It was dreamy. I arrived smack in the middle of a downpour, so took use of the valet. Once I got settled into my sweet room below, I headed down to check out the art and The Future is Female exhibit.
“…illustrates her experience of self doubt and her determination to overcome obstacles.”
It wasn’t long after I was there, I was truly inspired and I took a minute to work (I know on a Friday night) on some freelance writing projects (a writer never rests). Pretty soon after, I ordered room service (because, duh) – a bacon pimento grilled cheese and salad that was to die for. And…I found a copy of the latest magazine with my writing, natch.
The room had this nifty little corner booth where I kicked up my feet and ate my sandwich.
I adore the green penguins found floating around the hotel, and at The Hive they sporadically move around to tables, but it never came to ours. (Sad.) I did, however, devour my brunch with friends. The chicken on a biscuit with grits is entirely southern just like me and it was every bit as good as I thought it would be. It was smothered in honey, my new favorite food accessory.
Pampering was def a part of the stay because after all this mama works hard taking care of others most every day. Self care is of the utmost importance, and I took full advantage of the dreamy bed and steamy shower with my favorite Malin+Goetz products. Of course, I also used the Nespresso for coffee and now I’m completely SOLD. I’m also easily impressed at times.
Last but not least, I went running and lifted weights in the fitness center. I had it all to myself, and it was super nice as well. The treadmills have built-in fancy TVs that also provide your pace, goal, mileage, etc. They offer lots of yoga gear, and next door they were starting a free yoga class.
Obviously it’s on a blue moon I get to experience something so cool as a staycay like this, and I’m glad I jumped on a whim to do it. I’m learning more and more that life is too short, and it’s time to live a little more in this moment. – xoxo
