The main lodge at Timberlock
I told you last week that I was going to unplug for a week. It wasn’t some noble attempt to step away from technology, but rather, the type of vacation my family chose (and has several times in the past few years). We went to the Adirondack Mountains, to one of our very favorite spots on the planet, Timberlock, which is a “family camp.”
How was it being unplugged? Um, fantastic? Amazing? Incredible? Worth. Every. Minute.
The view from one of the mountains we hiked
Timberlock is located on Indian Lake within the “blue line” that designates the six-plus million acre Adirondack Park. There are 23 lakeside cabins in the camp, none of which has electricity–reason number one why you must unplug. WiFi? Doesn’t exist there. Bars on your phone? Nope. And I love it. So does the rest of my family.
What do you do when you’re unplugged? Let me list a few things:
- Swim in the crystal clear mountain lake (complete with water trampoline and rope swing for the kids of all sizes)
- Hike
- Horseback ride
- Go kayaking or canoeing (there for your disposal)
- Water ski
- White water raft on the nearby Hudson River
- Trail run
- Read more than you would any other time/place
- Fish (my son was at it ’round the clock)
- Get to know some really nice/interesting camp-mates
- Eat three fabulous meals/day prepared by the incredible Timberlock staff
- Take some beautiful road rides along quiet (HILLY) country roads
I could go on. The Catlin family, which has owned the camp since the early ’60s, provides a first-class experience for their guests, year after year, which is why, even after five years going to Timberlock, we still feel like newbies. You meet families who have been at it for upwards of 30 years, many of them consecutively. And while the amenities seem to get better every year, so much of the experience remains the same–simple, peaceful pleasures that are so often overlooked today in the face of technology.
Heading out for a trail ride
A couple of years ago we decided that we would make Timberlock an every other year thing so that we would make sure to see other parts of the world as well. But as we were leaving, I swung by the office just to check if there were any openings for the week we liked next summer (they often book up far in advance). I decided to let fate decide and wouldn’t you know it–there was an open cabin just our size. Looks like 2013 will bring visit number six for us.
Have you ever unplugged for a full week? If not, do you think you could make it?
Wow, that sounds amazing! I don’t thing I’ve unplugged intentionally for a week ever. It sounds like it would be great though. Need to try it.
Yo Momma Runs recently posted..Long run love
That is awesome! I am quite good at unplugging from time to time and find it rewarding. We should all do it more often.
Johann recently posted..New Toys
Wow! I just looked at the camp online. That looks awesome. I would love to get my husband and kids out there. What a great idea!
Sounds like a real vacation! I have NOT unplugged. Probably not even for 24 hours.
Coco recently posted..Hard Is Where It Happens
No and no.
Darlene recently posted..Camp Chingachgook Challenge 10k Race Report
That sounds like just the kind of vacation I need. I have six email accounts AT WORK ALONE and I could really use a break!
The only thing that would throw me off is the no electricity part. I would have to amend my bedtime since I’m usually up after dark.
Gracie (Complicated Day) recently posted..THE ELLIMPICS: Gymnastic all-around attempt!
That place looks awesome! I love unplugging– every time I head to the mountains, whether it’s for 2 nights or a week, I have no choice but to unplug and I don’t mind at all
Heather@Just a Colorado Gal recently posted..Half Marathon Weekend!
I’ve unplugged for a week and totally didn’t mind it
Kierston recently posted..5 Things I Learned Post-Competition…
Beautiful! so glad you got away and unplugged. Once upon a time I was almost always unplugged. I’ve forgotten what that’s like. I do try to unplug for the most part on the weekends. Rarely blog, rarely even read any and only check FB or twitter here and there. It’s really nice.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Fun Facts Friday – All About Energy
Even when we went to Italy this year I didn’t unplug 100% due to access to the internet at our hotels. I think I could survive and would love to…however I will readily admit I have to be forced to do it (have absolutely no access to internet) in order to do so since I am so tempted =) Looks like you had a wonderful time!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Employers, Stop Looking For College Degrees!
Looks like a great place to get fit…
Coach Dion recently posted..200th 10km Race!
It sounds like you had a fabulous time! What a beautiful place to be able to unplug and just enjoy being with your family. I was 95% unplugged over the last week. I always have spotty cell reception on the Oregon Coast, but did do some facebook updates while I was there.
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Vacation is over- I am back!!!
Love the sounds of all of it!! Yes, I could unplug no problem. It would be a welcome break. But, I think I would need to go somewhere like this where it wasn’t even an option.Glad you had fun and are going back next year!!
Shut Up and Run recently posted..Top 9 Reasons I Will Never Be In the Olympics
The Adirondacks are a beautiful. In the Fall, there is no other place to be.
I could easily unplug but haven’t done it yet regarding non-work related stuff. As for work, since our company is so small, I can’t bring myself to “unplug” for more than a day.
Joanne recently posted..Cazenovia 2012 Triathlon
Could definitely do it though I’m sure my kids might be in for a bit of a shock. They’d find their groove quickly enough though and would love a place like this. Wish it were a bit closer to us though maybe we’ll have to see what it would take to go. Now that my husband finally has a job where vacations can actually happen!
TriMOEngr (Christina) recently posted..Blogging Catchup Bullets
So glad you got to unplug! Sounds like a fantastic vacation. We’re packing up and getting ready to head out for a few unplugged days kid-free. Thanks so much for helping out with your guest post!
Laura recently posted..Do you make the most of your recovery runs?
Sounds like an awesome vacation! We go to the Adirondacks every year for at least a weekend with my family. It is just so beautiful there – wish I could stay all summer!
J recently posted..Crazy numbers lady
Looks gorgeous! Glad you had a great time and didn’t stress about being unplugged!
Jill recently posted..Tri for the Cure: My first Tri in (gulp) 23 years!
Welcome back, sounds like an amazing break! I haven’t unplugged in a while, though I try to stay off the web weekends. Not sure I could make a weeek though.
Kovas – Midwest Mutisport Life recently posted..Week 15: The North Face Endurance 50K Training
That looks like an amazing vacation! I’ve never unplugged for a week. A weekend, yes. Did it kill me…just about. Kudos to you for going a week!
Vieve recently posted..I’m Not Crying
Unplugged – sounds amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Sounds like it was exactly what you needed.
Sheila recently posted..Olympic Thoughts
I want to go!!! Your vacation looks awesome. So happy that you were able to spend some tech free family time… it’s so important, isn’t it?!
GreenGirlRunning recently posted..Taper Time & Training Week 2
I did when I was on vac in July. It was nice. I was so busy and we didnt have the internet at our house that we stayed at. We all should unplug more often. My full attention was on my family it was awesome. Looks like you had a great vac. Love it.
Sounds wonderful! We get to unplug when we visit my brother in Idaho. There is Internet but it’s satellite and slowwww. So we swim, hike, play games without a care about email, tv, or phones. After we leave I always think it’s time to scale back on social media but then we get sucked back in.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Marathon Training Weeks 11-12
That sounds like an amazing family vacation! I don’t know the last time I unplugged for a whole week, but I go for a couple days sometimes just with no computer
Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem recently posted..Motivation Monday
sounds like an awesome place!!!
Kristy (@KrisRunTri) recently posted..Weekly Log — 12 Weeks From NYCM
That looks like the most amazing place. It’s so great that you are able to share this with you family and make it a tradition. I’m jealous
I’m glad that you had a fabulous week unplugging. I know that I need that but part of me is nervous about doing it!!!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Memories Captured: 3 years old
How amazing
I used to live in upstate NY and miss the Adirondacks all the time. Glad you had a great trip!
Jen @ ConcreteNCoffee recently posted..Monday Motivation – Talking to Strangers
Sounds and looks like a glorious place. I’ve never been to that part of the country, but now I definitely want to! Glad you had an amazing time and get to do it all again next year.
Beth @ Miles and Trials recently posted..Family Olympics
Sounds like a fantastic vacation! I have unplugged for a weekend and feel great afterwards – I can only imagine how I’d feel after a whole week! Glad you had a great time!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..My Ode to Long Runs
Welcome back… yes, I did unplug last month. Well, i sent out one tweet as a good luck to all the SF marathon runners, but that was pretty much mandatory.
MIssed ya!
Pavement Runner recently posted..An Olympic Effort
That sounds like a FANTASTIC place! That said, the idea of being unplugged makes me feel a little twitchy. My husband, he’d LOVE it. And I would too, once the withdrawal symptoms receded.
Kate recently posted..Kicks in the Sticks trail race
That sort of holiday sounds like heaven – the kind of holiday where you can really defuse the stresses of every day life. The best bit for me would be having the meals prepared and not having to worry about how and when and where to eat. That’s a REAL holiday!
Char recently posted..Olympic Daydreams.
I’m so glad you got to unplug and get away! Looks like it was a fantastic time in such a beautiful place.
I was actually pretty darn unplugged for the past week (ish), because I was moving. Now that we’re so far out, internet is approached differently (satellite – slower – more expensive – bandwidth restrictions) and we have a very weak (for now) cell phone signal. I feel so out of touch, but then again, life feels so much slower and more laid back.
Sounds like such a great trip!!! And I agree about unplugging. It helps us connect back to LIFE. I have gotten so much better about doing it, but know I could still do it more.
Sounds absolutely amazing! I thought our cottage was rustic, but we have electricity! Glad you had such a great time and were able to disconnect for a bit!
lisa @ early morning run recently posted..Women Show Up and Win
I haven’t but this post and the place that goes with it would make me want to try.
We are planning an almost unplugged weekend end of August! We are going to Shenandoah and rented a small cabin. So Excited!!
Christine recently posted..Virtual Games – Am I the next Bolt?
Unplugging is so needed now and then! I think we all need to do this from time to time. I try my best to stick to mornings and evenings for social media and keep my day open and free to get other things done (as best as I can). Plus, I do need to earn some money and work on clients work, ha ha! The Adirondaks are such a lovely area. I used to live in the Northwest area of New York, not quite the Adirondaks, but close. It is such a pretty part of America! Sounds like you had a wonderfully unplugged vacation
Christina recently posted..Why walking is such a great fitness and daily activity
AWESOME. I need to do this more!
katie recently posted..Druid Hill Sprint Triathlon: race report (guest post)
I. must. do. this. I know there will be protests from the kids but it will do us all good. My kids each took a laptop to Vermont (seriously!) as well as ipods, and we had 3 TVs in our suite. They bemoaned the fact that we didn’t pack the Wii! Thanks for sharing this gem.
Alison @ racingtales recently posted..Does My Cowbell Annoy You? Tips for Race Spectators
Wow, Amanda, we are flattered that you enjoy Timberlock so much! We really try to help guests enjoy unplugging, but looks like you didn’t have any problem doing it yourself! Looking forward to having you, Todd and the kids back again!