Last Tuesday night, I told maybe a grand total of 5 people that I was going on vacation. That night.

I set up my out of office, I pulled the winner for my contest, told my work colleagues, friends and family that once I left they wouldn’t be able to reach me. At all. I would not be calling them (because I couldn’t*), I wouldn’t be updating twitter, flickr, my blog etc (because I couldn’t*).

*To be honest, that was one of the best parts and most appealing parts of this vacation. We got in the car, and once we passed NH, I powered down. For five days. The only electronic device we had (outside of my cameras – of course) was an iPod dock and 3 iPods. It took less than 5 seconds to get used to not reaching for my iPhone every few minutes, and that made me happy.

I took thousands of photos. My friends and I cooked some amazing meals. I swam every day. My ears popped from driving through the mountains. I fell out of a kayak. I drank coffee every morning on the deck and read. We played cards. We listened to music. I didn’t wear make up. My wardrobe for the week consisted of a bathing suit and a sweatshirt when I got cold. I played hide and seek with a horse. I visited a politically radical puppet theater. I rode the big girl rides as the county fair. I laughed harder and longer than I have in a very long time. I have a new and deep appreciation for my friends.

I’m a city girl who secretly loves the country.

I have far too many pictures and stories to ever show and tell. And I’m not sure I want to. What I do feel like sharing, I’ll post here.

I am sad to be back. If you had the week I had, you would be too.

Day One: