Ready for a little weekend escape?
My husband and I are both self-employed—he leads a startup church and I run a blog. We spend most of our days working from home, juggling the business, the house, the kids and our dogs. It’s a wonderful life in many ways, but being “on” all the time blurs the line between work and home and can lead to stress and fatigue.
After recognizing how draining that can be when the responsibility falls on you in so many areas, we decided to schedule regular getaways—just the two of us. No dogs, no chores, no work messages, no errands. Just time to relax, talk and have fun without the usual demands.
Luckily, we live in a picturesque region, so we don’t have to travel far to feel removed from everyday life. There are beautiful and memorable places nearby that make short escapes easy and rewarding.
We’ve taken a few trips together over the last couple of years. We had a big trip to New York, and closer to home we’ve visited San Juan Island and Friday Harbor, Port Gamble and Port Townsend. Most recently we escaped to Leavenworth, Washington—a charming Bavarian-style town nestled in the Cascade Mountains.
We had wanted to visit Leavenworth for a long time. It’s known to be beautiful year-round, and this spring we decided on a spontaneous trip. I booked a room on my phone at Abendblume Bed & Breakfast and we headed into the mountains. I hadn’t expected so much snow, but the drive went smoothly and the scene that greeted us was worth it.
From our windows we saw snow-capped peaks and farm animals grazing in the fields—horses, donkeys and even chickens. The setting felt idyllic and peaceful.
Inside Abendblume the handcrafted details made everything feel cozy and authentic—beautiful woodwork, unique furnishings and thoughtful touches that evoked a Bavarian mountain inn. It felt charming and a bit delightfully foreign.
There were creative DIY touches throughout, like painted wooden sticks hanging from an old ladder, which added a playful, homey character.
The dining room was warm and inviting, filled with handcrafted furniture and atmosphere. Breakfasts were outstanding—so good that I recreated the recipe at home. It was one of the highlights of our stay.
There was a comfortable living room perfect for reading and relaxing—a simple, quiet space to unwind away from daily demands.
Our room featured a lovely four-poster bed and its own fireplace. It felt romantic and comfortable—the kind of room that makes a weekend feel special.
The town itself is incredibly charming. We spent our day wandering the streets, browsing shops, sipping coffee, reading and enjoying a delicious German dinner together. The weather was perfect and the pace was slow—exactly the kind of day a weekend getaway should be.
The drive through the mountains to and from Leavenworth offered breathtaking scenery. Photos captured some of the beauty, but being there was even more stunning.
We returned home feeling refreshed and already wishing we had another day or two to linger. This trip reminded us how valuable those couple-of-days escapes are for reconnecting and recharging, so we’re planning more short getaways in the future.
The breakfast at Abendblume was exceptional—one of the memorable parts of the trip that I’d happily return for. It inspired me to recreate the dish at home because it tasted that good.
Do you enjoy weekend getaways?
What are some of your favorite places to go? Give me ideas, near or far!