I am pretty sure that I am not the first mother who dreamt about running away from home, but I am one of only a few women I know that actually did it! Now, I don’t want to get into the wretched details of what would drive a mostly sane person into ditching the kids with the husband and taking off. It is in the past after all, and all is forgiven. Let’s just say that our base requirements involve an annual Mother’s Day card, and a meal that we didn’t have to prepare on that one day of the year. Our basic needs were not met! Woodrow Wilson saw the wisdom in celebrating mothers way back in 1910, and it is observed as a national holiday! Apparently, nobody sent a memo to our families!
I will say this, I was not alone in my pursuit of rest and relaxation, I had a partner in crime. *Fancy, (let’s not use name real names to protect the guilty) and I had come off a very long year of family medical illnesses, deaths, and teenager shenanigans. One afternoon we decided to run off, the day after Mother’s Day to be exact, and that is precisely what we did. We did not leave forwarding details, we did not ask permission, and we did not really have a plan. We headed off to parts unknown. I stashed her Blackberry, and I unplugged mine. With one quick phone call, we headed off to a budget friendly spa, the Lakeview Fontana, in Bryson City, North Carolina.
We felt every bit as adventurous as Thelma and Louise. We stopped at a random winery about halfway to the spa. We were living large. No kids, no husbands telling us what to do, and no time frame of when we might return home.
Our arrival to this hidden getaway was pretty late at night (Hello! Winery, we blame you!). We were left a note at the front desk. It told us where they had left the key and to help ourselves to the honor bar in the dining area. This spa was tucked away, just off of the main road. It was once an old school, road side motel. It has been lovingly restored. Rooms had new bamboo floors, fluffy beds with white bedding, and of course, a serious spa! My gamble had paid off! It was so cute! It was rated one of the top ten budget friendly spas by Travel and Leisure.
We easily settled into the flow of the property. Each morning we enjoyed the beautiful and tasty offerings for breakfast, including: French pressed coffee, juice, yogurt, granola, pastries, fresh fruit, and hard-boiled eggs. After a leisurely breakfast, we treated ourselves to very luxurious treatments in the spa. This schedule left us time to spend the afternoon by the pool or take a drive into one of several little towns to explore, eat, and shop. By evening, another spread of local wines and cheeses were prepared for happy hour. We loved happy hour! They have the most amazing view of a lake and we could sip, or gulp (don’t judge) our wine and take in the sunset.
We booked two treatments for every day that we were there. Our innkeeper was awesome. We informed her of our “fugitive mom status” and that we were not sure exactly how long we would be staying. She was happy to accommodate us and I’m pretty sure she was all about maximizing our adventure. She did point us towards a casino in Cherokee, to a great little bistro in Bryson City, and some great sandwiches near an amazing white water rafting and kayaking area. I have chosen to not include pictures from the Cherokee Casino or the Paula Deen Restaraunt in the Casino, because, “what happens at the casino, stays at the casino.”
What you need to understand about this spa is how well-trained the staff are. Most of the staff have worked, in the past, at the Grove Park Inn. The Grove Park Inn in Ashville, North Carolina, is definitely on my top ten spas in the United States list. My friend *Fancy, would not feel comfortable spending an inordinate amount of money on herself, particularly with our, “runaway and ditch the kids with their fathers,” situation. The guilt would have been too much for her. We basically got the same level of service of a luxury spa for a third of the price.
The treatment rooms are separate from the rest of the hotel and just steps from the dining area. The treatment rooms were quiet, and some rooms were able to leave the door open, to enjoy the sounds of spring while getting our massages, body wraps, and facials. The massage tables were heated, and pneumatic, so the vibe of the treatment definitely felt high-end. No flimsy tables here. Each room also had a shower for their extensive body treatment menu. Those therapists did magical things with steamy hot towels! The signature aromatic hot towel massage is not to be missed. After back to back 90 minute treatments daily, we forgot we had children!
In conclusion, it is best to buy your mom a Mother’s day card and take her out for a meal. Our five-day retreat was well deserved and it recharged us to return home and continue on with our full-time care giving gigs. I believe our tab for the week at Lake View was less than a thousand dollars. That does not include the $500 cash advance at the Cherokee Casino or the excellent shopping at a Native American Museum in Cherokee. So yeah, I think we all learned a lot that week 🙂
Tips for your trip; They offer yoga retreats and girlfriend packages. Bryson City is in the southern part of North Carolina near Cherokee, but also very near Dollywood and Gatlinburg, Tennessee (a favorite place for many to get hitched). Lake View Fontana is a secluded resort and perfect for a romantic getaway. This resort is also perfect for outdoor lovers of all sports. The US National whitewater center is just minutes away. Breakfast is served daily, but no room service is available, so feel free to pack in some of your own treats. Also note, we have both been treated much better since our return and Mother’s Day cards and gifts are now awesome.
Have you ever run away from home? Where did you go?
No special treatment was given other than being a paying guest at this resort. This is my life.
Looked over this great site and purchased a steam shower and never glanced back, marvelous resources here cannot give thanks enough
Nice Blog, thanks for sharing this kind of information.
Thanks for stopping by!
There is a wonderful novel by Ann Tyler entitled “Ladder of Years” about a woman who “runs away” while on vaca with her family. Takes a walk on the beach and just keeps going..This wonderful retreat sounds like just the place she may have stopped on her adventure. A great read!
Thank you Kathy! It was a very fun adventure! I totally recomment this type of shenanagans for other under appreciated moms! Worked like a Charm!!!
Verry good info.Lucky me I found your website by accident (stumbleupon).
I’ve saved it for later!
Thank you!
Іt’ѕ ɑctually а cool аnd usful piece ߋf informatіоn. ӏ’m glasd tɦat you ϳust shared this helpful info ѡith us.
Please stay uѕ informed lіke this. Tɦank yoս fоr sharing.
Thank you for your time and kind words. Have a great day!
Excellent article. Ι absolutely apprecciate tҺis site.
Continue the gooԀ wоrk!
You approve of running away from children? lol Hey…a mom’s gotta do, what a mom’s gotta do! It only happened once and it worked like a charm 🙂
Heey fantastic blog! Doeѕ running а blog ѕimilar tо thiѕ
take a masive amount woгk? I ɦave abѕolutely no expertise
in coding Һowever I wаs hoping tߋ start my owwn blog іn the near future.
Anyԝays, ѕhould you hаvе any ideas or tips
for new blog owners ρlease share. ӏ know this iѕ off topic neverthelesѕ I juѕt needed tо аsk.
Apprecijate іt!
Anyone can start a blog in a matter of minutes. It is keeping one going and writing one that builds and attracts a following (if that is a desire) that is the trick. I know very little about coding, but it is trial by fire. If you want to learn something, getting in there and getting your hands dirty is the best way. I would recommend making a blog for yourself and publish it privatly. When you are ready to share it publicly, you will know when the time is right. Go for it!
I was able to find good information from your blog articles.
Thank you Spencer. I hope you get the best spa treatment ever on your next booking! Erin
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
Also, I have shared your site in my social
networks!
Thank you!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after
reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Thank you!
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my
blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design.
Bless you
Thank you, Nancy. It is a wordpress premium Theme that I just customized. I try to learn a little something new each day…Thanks for stopping by! Erin
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff previous to and you’re simply too
wonderful. I actually like what you’ve received right here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which through which you say it.
You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to stay
it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you.
That is really a great website.
Thank you!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a
amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable
from you! However, how could we communicate?
You’ve got me…Erin
Hi there, just wanted to mention, I liked this blog post.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Hello, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this article.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Let me know if you runaway! lol Thanks for visiting. Erin
Good day very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful
.. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?
I’m satisfied to seek out so many useful info right here within the post, we want develop extra strategies
on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Wow, this piece of writing is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing these kinds
of things, thus I am going to tell her.
Is she planning on running away or getting herself to a spa? 😉 I only needed to run away once, I “need” spa services weekly 🙂 Best Wishes!
Every weekend i used to go to see this website, as
i want enjoyment, since this this website conations
really good funny material too.
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Cheers
I would love it if you shared my posts and or blog! Thank you. I am flattered! Erin
Hi! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking
about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
Many thanks for sharing!
If you desire to grow your knowledge just keep visiting this web site and be updated
with the hottest news posted here.
After checking out a few of the blog posts
on your web site, I seriously like your technique of blogging.
I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as well
and let me know your opinion.
I seriously like you style of commenting. Keep it up! Thanks, Erin 😉
Marvelous, what a web site it is! This weblog gives helpful facts to us, keep
it up.
Thank you for the marvelous comment! Erin
Thanks for sharing such a good idea, article is pleasant, thats why i have read it entirely
If you decide to run away from home, please circle back and let me know how that works out for you… lol. Erin
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will be
sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back
someday. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have
a nice morning!
Thank you for your kind words! I really appreaciate you taking the time to let me know your thoughts and share some encouragement! Erin
Thank you very much! I appreciate the encouragement and I hope you have a great LIFE! XOX Erin
Thank you, And thank you for not judging me for running away from home… lol Erin
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually recognise what you are speaking
about! Bookmarked. Kindly also consult with
my site =). We could have a hyperlink exchange agreement among us
I’m sorry, but your link did not show up! Will you please resend or find me on my FB page and I will follow along! Thank you. Erin
Textiles…I don’t leave home without them lol or is it web design …so confused, enlighten me, I would love to exchange! Erin
Howdy I am so glad I found your web site, I really found you
by error, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else, Regardless I
am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and
a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS
feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please
do keep up the great job.
Thank you!
What’s up to all, the contents existing at this site are genuinely
amazing for people knowledge, well, keep up the good work fellows.