Sunday, November 25, 2007

Going off the grid

We spent Thanksgiving in the middle of Amish country, Ohio. It was just idyllic. We met this family and stayed in these sweet, charming cottages set in the middle of several large farms. This was our backyard:
This was our front yard:
This was the local version of heavy traffic:

This was our hilarious, late-night game-playing, nut-eating company:

Here is what we did (when we weren't busy eating and fire building, of course):







It turned out to be a technology-free weekend. We had no cell phone service, no landline, no internet access. We drove 30 miles to a neighboring town to see a movie (Enchanted - LOVED it!), which oddly enough was a mere two dollars per person (yes, really. I tried to correct the cashier that, no, I wasn't only buying ONE ticket, I needed FIVE. And she said that ten dollars WAS the price for five tickets. I about died).

The kids spent their time hiking in the woods, paddling around on the lake, and chasing a three-legged dog we called Tripod. Tripod had a dog friend that the kids named Little Dog. Little Dog had all four legs, but sometimes only walked on three. We think he didn't want Tripod to feel bad, so he chose to ignore his fourth leg. He's a good friend like that.

Our Thanksgiving meal was spent at the only restaurant in town - The Swiss Chalet. It was such a treat to not have to cook. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it IS possible to sit down for a Thanksgiving dinner and not already be full from all the tasting that happens during cooking. It was nice to finish eating and know that I could walk away, and have no mess to clean up.

It was bliss. I was so sorry to have to leave it and come home.

Upon returning to civilization, the only problem has been convincing The Husband that he does not really want to be Amish. He was loving the no-shaving, live-off-the-land, horse-and-buggy lifestyle. He's ready to go off the grid.

I keep reminding him that for me to go off the grid with him would require at the very least a Target, a telephone, a cell phone, internet access, TIVO, and the blog. All of which pretty much makes up the grid.

Fortunately for me, there are no t.v. football games when you're off the grid. Especially games like this one.

Turns out, convincing him wasn't that hard after all.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice pictures! I'd like a weekend off the grid, too, but I'm with you in requiring that some things are necessary in order for it to work out long-term. I mean, at the very least, a Target.

Pedaling said...

sounds nice - so simple, free, just absolutely wonderful.
I loved the pictures.
glad you're home safe.

Lisa-Marie said...

Sounds absolutely perfect!

The best Thxgiving my mom has ever had was when she rented us all a condo in Park City, UT and ordered Thxgiving from Albertsons.

Glad you had a lovely time.

Celia Fae said...

How ever did you come up with that idea? It sounds wonderful. I love going off the grid, but I'm glad you are back on. Your title had me a little bit worried.

I would like to see some photos of the husband. I can't remember what he looks like. All of those kids are darling.

mahina said...

what a fun trip! i just about teared up about little dog! what a sweet friend for tripod! that is so funny!

no clean up after thanksgiving dinner is always welcome for me! we might just have to try that next year!

Travelin'Oma said...

This looks like a perfect pilgrim type Thanksgiving world. You're too cool to be off the grid, no matter where you live. (Josh has always been off the grid.)

Paige said...

I love the grid. Please don't make me go off. But, was it a special "Take your family to amish country" reunion? Did you get to meet and pet a real Amish family? Make butter?

Jessica said...

Again, you New Englanders know way more about how to have a holiday then us Latecomers (remember Gab's voting holiday post). Lucky you.

Michael said...

I spent the week(end) in SLC, and still managed to go off the grid. Then again, I live in Provo, and escaping is a necessity every so often. Now I'm back up...

laina kay said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a perfect Thanksgiving! No cooking, late night game playing, occupied children, cheap movie tickets, no traffic and that view! All that and a trip with good friends! That's a Thanksgiving to be thankful for!

Glad that you still decided to return to civilization!

Family Adventure said...

The pictures are lovely and your descriptions so vivid.

I think being off the grid *every now and then* is great, but permanently....couldn't do it! I'm with you there! :)

Heidi

Family Adventure said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mama jo said...

that sounds really neat..what a fun idea...glad your t-day was great...

Jake said...

Loved going off the grid with you! Your pics are fabulous...I will post my less-stellar versions today, hopefully! Josh is wayyyyy too hyper to be Amish.

Unknown said...

Phew! For a minute I thought you were going to tell me you slaughtered your own turkey. Because that is what the TRUE Amish would do. :-)

Sounds like a blast! I love getting off the grid every once and a while.

Celia Fae said...

Visiting teaching blogging. A great idea. Think we can sell the First Presidency on it? Don't send them my link. I have all of those naughty Sabbath posts. They're not going to like your caffeine habit either.

danandcindy said...

I would have loved to be off the grid after said game...

Unknown said...

I couldn't have paid my husband a million dollars to miss that game! Sounds like you had fun...wasn't it cold paddling out on that lake? I'm glad you're back on the grid!

Scrapbooks by Amanda said...

This sounds like such a wonderful trip! What a relaxing Thanksgiving. We went home but it was busy and exhausting but I wouldn't trade it.

We saw Enchanted (for more than $2) and loved it too.

Annie said...

oh, the grid. I love the grid...pleaseplease stay on it.
I can't believe Josh is willing to give up the blackberry! Is it the no-shaving that appeals?

Glad you're back. I owe you a big e-mail, friend.

Oh! we also saw Enchanted and loved it. I thought of you because, well, of course McDreamy. And also Idina Menzel (original Elphaba) was the girlfriend. Our t.v. friend and our musical friend, both playing well together in a movie. It's nice when our friends can meet :)

AMY said...

I don't have a Target but I'm still on the grid. I'm getting screwed here. Glad you're back! Loved the name Tripod. Love the idea of visiting teaching blogging. I'm sure I missed a good conversation there but sign me up! I think I would hit 100% for the first time ever!

Lisa said...

I want to go off the grid too! Sounds like a wonderful weekend and the pictures are beautiful. I loved Enchanted, I laughed way too loud!
Good luck with your situation about the thing that I blogged about today. When will these men ever learn? It is so frustrating.

Diane said...

I'm not sure if Tenn. is on or off the grid...I can't decide! Sounds like a fun trip. We were in the air on "game day", and had to make calls to everyone we knew when our planes hit the ground. We listened to the game in the car last year...maybe it's a sign that we need to be traveling in order for them to win! Glad you're back and had a good time! We saw your parents at Carma's house...it was so good to see them. Love ya!

Kimberly said...

No cooking, no cleaning...that's my kind of dinner! I will have to tell Devon that the "no shaving" rule doesn't only apply when you're "off grid." To him, when on vacation (on or off grid) the "no shaving" rule applies.

Hollyween said...

That is MY kind of thanksgiving. Your holiday sounds amazing and your kids are adorable. Ahhh... the quiet life. How would it be to be amish for a week? Ya know, just to see... not for REALS. If anything, they could help me with my baking.

Holly said...

What a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving!! I'd love to visit Amish country someday, but I don't think I could go off the grid for an extended while. Nope. Unless I can hide Harrison Ford (the younger version) in my barn.

Your pics are amazing!!
How sweet for Little Dog to support his friend. And to play games and chat while the kids entertained themselves--priceless!

Chatter said...

That sounds so relaxing!! What a wonderful idea. I'll have to suggest that to my family.
Thanks for sharing your "off the grid" secret. Where in Ohio?

Emily said...

What's all that about going off the grid when I'm pretty sure that's a sattelite dish right behind your nephew and the dog?

Amz said...

This sounds wonderful! My sister is serving her mission in Ohio right now and spent her Thanksgiving in Amish country too! Hmmm, wonder if you saw each other and didn't know it :o)

Bridget said...

Those technology free vacations are so fun! Good for you. And wow, Josh missed THE BYU Utah game????????? Amazing.

Bridget said...

Those technology free vacations are so fun! Good for you. And wow, Josh missed THE BYU Utah game????????? Amazing.