Nancy by a mountain stream
No deep thoughts this week, my mind is still in the White Mountains. We had some awesome and relaxing hiking experiences.
Nancy Loderick without technology
Ken Loderick without technology
It was a tad buggy up in the mountains, so the black netting came in handy. Plus, it would scare off any bears we might encounter! Ken and I make quite the pair, don’t we?
Mt Washington Hotel
Loderick Family at Mt Washington Hotel
The dinners were my favorite part of the luxury. The Mt. Washington dining room has very large picture windows with beautiful views of Mt. Washington.
I returned from my vacation feeling refreshed and renewed. I’m busy planning my next vacation from technology.
Have you tried living without technology for more than a day? If so, how did it go?
Nancy Loderick's Blog 
the retrospective entrepreneur
July 15, 2011
Hi Nancy
I made a number of rules in my business life to reduce stress and one of the key ones was never to take a computer on holiday or be available by phone (except in the direst emergency). It was tough at times to get this through to people but it did work despite having to fight my corner at times. I recall a furious row with one boss when I wouldn’t leave a phone number; it was impossible, anyway, as we were staying in a remote cottage in deepest Tuscany ;-). The only exception I made was on two occasions when we were selling businesses and I just had to keep in touch with the lawyers.
I believe that a vacation cannot work in terms of true relaxation unless you shut yourself off from work. Don’t say that you can’t do it because you can; you just need to be very tough. And, in any case, unless you have made yourself dispensable you will never get promoted or be able to sell a business.
You can do it, folks
Regards
Tony
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Nancy Loderick
July 15, 2011
Hi Tony – Good for you for 1. Making rules to reduce stress and more importantly, 2. Sticking to those rules. I completely agree that a vacation won’t work if you’re still in contact with the office. We all need time away
from work to gain a new perspective.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Nancy
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Ken Loderick
July 15, 2011
It’s so ironic to see people sitting on the porch of this lovely resort, a stunning view of the mountains right in front of them, but they are so deeply focused on their electronic devices they don’t even notice.
On a different note, the bug netting did look quite silly on us but it worked like a charm in keeping the bugs away from your head / face.
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Nancy Loderick
July 16, 2011
Hi Ken – you are right about the people so focused on their silly laptops and phones. They were all hunched over staring at their tiny screens, totally oblivious to the magnificent view right in front of them. I bet they wondered why they were still stressed and tired after coming back from their supposed vacation.
As for the gorgeous bug netting, I vote for looking silly over being uncomfortable 🙂
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Bindu
July 16, 2011
For one week I’ve been trying to make up my mind – Should/shouldn’t I take my laptop along during our summer vacation? (we are flying home tomorrow!!). These devices will only remind us of our work instead of letting us relax or enjoy. So, after reading your post I am considering not to take it. 🙂
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Nancy Loderick
July 16, 2011
Hi Bindu – I say don’t take your laptop and enjoy your vacation!
Nancy
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nholt10
July 18, 2011
Hi Nancy,
I just came back from a hiking trip on MT. Blue State Park in Weld, ME. Although I admit we did use technology, a car and GPS (that got us lost), it was nice to get away from my netbook and social networks when hiking and jumping off small waterfalls. The hiking was good (only a two hour hike up), but a pond at the summit made me forget about all my troubles.
-Nick
P.S. No bear/moose sightings. Dang.
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Nancy Loderick
July 18, 2011
Hi Nick – glad to hear you enjoyed your hike. There is nothing like being out in nature to make you forget about your troubles. Too bad no bear or moose sightings. There are big yellow “Warning – Moose Crossing” signs all along the highway up to Bretton Woods. I was disappointed that we didn’t see a moose too 🙂
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Nicole Locklear
July 21, 2011
Very nice follow up to your watch article 🙂
Looks like you had nice weather for your hike!
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Nancy Loderick
July 21, 2011
Hi Nicole – yes, the weather was great. This was a very good thing because there isn’t much to do up there if if rains. To drive to the nearest town would have taken about 30 minutes.
Nancy
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Sandra
October 11, 2012
I spent part of my growing up living in a small isolated fishing village on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The village had no electricity, most people had small generators, but we didn’t. Or water came from a gravity fed water line, in the winter it would freeze up, in the summer it would dry up. Believe it or not, I miss that life, and am considering going back to a similar way of life, living without electricity, but would like a more reliable source of water :). It was a healthier way to live…
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Nancy Loderick
October 11, 2012
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you about the simple life. I just don’t like all this technology. As I take my walks, I look around and see everyone looking down, frowning and obsessed with their stupid phones. Life is too short to be spent sitting in front of a computer or tied to a phone.
Nancy
PS I would like to live more simply, but I couldn’t live without electricity or running water 🙂
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