Vacation Mode: A Change of Scenery, A Fresh Perspective
For a change, I’m writing from vacation instead of talking about the units we work on for your vacations. While the UP is home—and we love living in a place where others come to escape—we, too, need time away (especially in the winter, when the cold is bitter and the snow is deep).
Vacation means something different to everyone. Some want to sit on a beach with a margarita in hand, while others jump on a snowmobile and ride for hours. Some opt for the excitement of resorts and theme parks (as I write this from Disney World), while many find their freedom in hiking to breathtaking views. No matter what your ideal getaway looks like, the goal is the same—a break from the everyday, a sense of freedom, and a chance to recharge.
One thing I always notice on vacation is how it opens the mind to new ideas—whether about life, family, work, or what’s next. This trip, I find myself reflecting on why we host people in the UP and how we can improve their experience. Would our guests benefit from suggestion boards, room maps, or curated lists of waterfalls and beaches? How can we make their stays even more memorable? These are the kinds of thoughts that come when you step away from the daily grind and let your mind wander.
Perhaps the biggest realization I take away from vacations like this—where we’re enjoying 70-degree weather in shorts while our neighbors back home are bundling up and shoveling—is that you don’t always need to leave home to find a sense of escape. Taking a step back, appreciating where you are, and finding those little moments of joy can be a mini vacation in itself.
We have three more days here in Florida, and my mind is already buzzing with ideas to bring back home. We’ll keep adding amenities, renovating properties, and helping our guests make the most of their time in the Copper Country.
Now I ask you—what do you look for when you go on vacation? What makes your trip truly special?
