I’ve always been drawn to big adventures. I’ve traveled far to find that feeling of true escape, like my trips to the Ecuadorian jungle and other remote destinations that promised complete disconnection from everyday life.
For years, I believed that to really unplug, you had to venture somewhere remote and exotic. But lately, I’ve discovered something that’s been a complete game changer: the power of finding pristine nature right in your own backyard.
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The Mobile Office
It all started with our Sprinter van. Last year, my partner and I drove it cross-country. It’s a small RV that doubles as her mobile office. That trip was phenomenal, giving us the chance to see so much of the country while learning the art of finding places to camp.
What struck us most was the dramatic shift we noticed at the Mississippi River. West of the Mississippi, camping felt nature-centric and spacious. But as we traveled east, we found campsites that were often more expensive, more crowded, and less carefully maintained. The experience seemed to reinforce a common belief: that you had to go “out west” to find real, untouched nature.
Or so I thought.
An Unexpected Discovery
Recently, we stumbled upon a national forest in Alabama, just an hour and forty minutes from our home in Georgia. This incredible 400,000-acre expanse of protected land completely changed my perspective. Even exploring just a 300-acre section left us absolutely blown away.
The place was beautiful and pristine. There were no telephone wires, no electric cables, just pure, protected wilderness. It didn’t feel like Alabama, or even America. It felt like we’d stepped into another country entirely. The experience was so transformative that we returned two weekends in a row, unable to stay away.
Simply Disconnecting
That discovery became deeply inspiring. We found a primitive area where we could park our van right near a spring-fed pond, and we embraced the simplest form of escape: we turned off our phones, went hiking and swimming, and spent quiet time together.
I even picked up a mandala coloring book and spent hours just coloring. It was something I’d never done as an adult. The simple act was surprisingly meditative and relaxing.
Being there, so close to home yet so completely removed from the noise of daily life, felt profound. It became a lesson in refocusing, a reminder that you don’t have to book a flight to Ecuador to find solitude and reconnect with what truly matters.
Conclusion
That local trip did more for my mental health and my relationship than some of my more ambitious travels. It gave me a fresh perspective on my work, my life, and what it truly means to get away. The truth is, you don’t always need a grand, expensive journey to reset. Sometimes, the most powerful and restorative experiences are waiting for you just a short drive away.
This rediscovery of the local escape has brought a new kind of energy and inspiration back into my life. It’s proof that adventure isn’t about distance. It’s about perspective.
What hidden gems are waiting to be discovered just a short drive from where you live?
