Summer vacations are designed to help you relax and unwind but often they are as stressful as work. With too many activities and not enough down time, sometimes it can be hard to recharge on vacation.

On a recent vacation I was fortunate to take a nice walk along a country road three mornings in a row. It turned into an exciting learning opportunity.

The first day, I trudged up the hilly road feeling fit and wanting to get some exercise since that vacation was often spent sitting around in a car or relaxing by the pool. I took a few pictures as I went and by the time I reached the end of the road, I felt tired but satisfied. I then proceeded to walk back down the 1.5 miles at a vigorous pace and relaxed back at the house.

Day two was similar to day one in that I was moving quickly up the road, but I noticed a few more animals – a turkey vulture waiting for me to pass so he could continue enjoy the breakfast from last night’s roadkill. A few chipmunks who were not too happy I was interrupting their morning routine, and as I return, I was startled by a deer, that thrashed back into the woods. I was enjoying the road a little more as I came down that road and started taking photos of the flowers and wildlife.

The third day was different. I decided that I would experience the road instead of trying to conquer it. My pace was slower and my awareness much greater. I was not in a race, but rather taking a stroll and that made all the difference. I was being present, relaxed, and happy as I walked up the road. I was noticing things I didn’t see the first two trips and was pleasantly surprised at how great I felt after the walk.

When I reviewed my pictures from the three days, I noticed a stark difference between the first and last day. The first day was all about photos of the road while the last one was all the small details along the side of the road.

I learned that walking down a country road should not be something to conquer, but rather something to enjoy. Instead of striving to get somewhere, this walk became a great way to take some time to unwind and just enjoy the scenery and truly made the vacation relaxing.

Next time you are packing your bags and packing your vacation schedule with sightseeing and social events, slow down and plan to take some time for yourself. Find a country road to enjoy and it will me all the difference!