As a small business owner, it's easy to get caught up in your daily tasks. My to-do list is ever expanding and it's hard to keep up with all of the rolls I'm juggling. When you have a small team, a wide variety of tasks fall on your shoulders. Personally, I enjoy the variety, but it's important to take time to get away and put it all on hold so you can continue to function in a healthy, productive way. Our August schedule was full - We blocked off two weeks for a 500 image product shoot, in addition to the content creation projects we had already scheduled. It was a lot of creative work, which we love, but it can be draining. We knew it would be important to take some time to getaway and recharge, but didn't have time to travel. We started looking into destinations in Oregon and decided to visit the Willamette Valley.
We spent Tuesday morning answering emails and scheduling social media content for our clients before leaving the city. It's about an hour drive from Portland, Oregon to the Willamette Valley, which is home to over 500 wineries. The drive out is absolutely beautiful - Rolling hills, mountains and fields filled with wheat and flowers. We enjoyed the leisurely travel as the stress of the morning began to fade away. We visited three vineyards and had a light lunch at Domaine Serene, a winery in Dayton, Oregon, before landing at our hotel The Allison Inn and Spa.
The property is situated on 35-acres, surrounded by sweeping views of Oregon wine country and farmland - Truly the best of the Willamette Valley. The Allison Inn & Spa offers visitors an unmatched resort experience. Their spacious suites feature an in-room fireplace and terrace and every guest is provided with a complementary basket of local goodies. If you want to venture out of your room, you can enjoy the spa, with 12 treatment rooms, a fitness studio, indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and pool terrace only steps away. The property is also home to JORY Restaurant, a farm-to-table fine dining experience. This elegant retreat is a true escape from the business of everyday life.
We checked in, dropped off our bags and wandered the path that circles the property. There is original art displayed throughout the lush gardens, and we enjoyed taking some time to explore and take in the natural beauty around us.
After our walk, we decided to lounge by the pool before dinner. This summer has been quite warm and we had a 90 degree day to enjoy. Although we were only an hour from home, we felt like we had truly escaped.
When you take a staycation, it's important to fully disconnect from work. I know you're busy, but everyone can afford a few hours with their cellphone on silent! Since we were only gone for a night, we decided to leave the laptop at home. It's amazing how time slows down when you don't have a list of to-dos hanging over your head.
We ended our day with a late dinner at JORY - We started with the octopus and chorizo sugo, sampled the australian wagyu striploin and heritage pork loin and had warm cookies and coffee sent to our room, so we could enjoy dessert by the fire. When we travel, we love sampling the local cuisine. Although we were still close to home, we decided to treat ourselves as if we were on a destination vacation! It's the little things that can take your staycation to the next level.
Want to getaway and experience Oregon wine country for yourself? The Allison is celebrating their 10th anniversary on August 31st with a garden stroll celebration that features local cuisine, wineries, breweries and distilleries, and art. An afternoon can easily extend into a weekend away - Book a guest suite and invest in a weekend of self-care.
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