When we travel close to home, most of us are after a quick and comfortable get-away to a familiar and beloved spot. Human nature draws us time and again to places we like, locations where we feel at home – even when we’re trying to get away from home. Although we may make a major habit out of traveling to our familiar destinations time and again, little bits of new can still pop up every once in a while. My favorite kind of newness at home comes in the form of a hidden surprise right in the midst of an old favorite. Like walking in the front door of your house to discover a ribbon-wrapped package with a dream gift inside, uncovering spots we didn’t know existed in our own backyards can bring excitement where we expect nothing but the familiar.
The other week I traveled to a wooded bicycle trail where I hadn’t been in about a year. I biked to the end and started to turn back when I noticed a couple with their bikes waiting for traffic to pass so they could cross the street. They don’t know that on the other side awaits just a short path that ends in a forest, I thought, wanting to tell them. Then I realized – maybe they know something I don’t know. So I followed them across the street. Lo and behold, what for years had been just a stump of a trail had been cleared away and turned into an extension of one of my favorite wooded paths. I biked it to the end, where I discovered a small park and a bubbling brook – a nice surprise on an otherwise ordinary bicycle ride.
Another secret surprise awaited a couple of years ago when I traveled to Martha’s Vineyard, my very favorite island of New England. I’ve explored this large island inch by inch throughout the years and have pretty much seen it all at least once. On one excessively hot day, though, I was walking down a residential street in Edgartown, wishing for relief from the heat, when I glimpsed a bit of water up ahead. I followed the tantalizing sight and discovered a tiny and completely empty harbor hidden behind the trees, with small sailboats scattered about – a sight I’d never before seen. A little dock jutted out, so I walked to the end, took off my sandals and slipped my feet into the cold water. Instantly I was relieved from the heat of the day. I ended up lying on that little silent dock in the barren harbor for at least half an hour. It must have been private, yet no one came along to tell me to leave.
Secret hidden dock
This empty dock on the peaceful harbor I loved so much I sought it out again the next time I traveled to the Vineyard. And there it sat – looking, feeling and smelling just as it had when I’d first discovered it. Again, I took off my sandals, dipped my feet into the water and enjoyed the utter stillness, broken only by the lapping of tiny waves. It appears as if this once surprising secret has turned into another familiar yet beloved spot for me. I’ll never have too many of those. Secret hideaways, no matter how well I get to know them, are always special.
What about in your part of the world? Have you stumbled upon a surprising secret hidden away somewhere you thought you knew inside and out? What about secret places you know about but no one else seems to have discovered? I’d love to know about them. And I promise I won’t tell anyone.
Hah, you tryna get us to give you secrets? Then, they wouldn’t be secrets anymore. I’ll give you a hint though. Can you spell NNC backwards?
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 06:25
No secrets here.
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I can relate with that today! Here in downtown Sydney, I usually walk around on the “surface”. Go from building to building by walking in the side walk, cross the intersection, window shopping and enter the buildings from the road entrance, then go out again. Today I went down 1 level to the underground floor, and just ramble from aisle to aisle, without even knowing what street I was under,, or what building I was in, anymore. I love it! Above on the road is lively, and down here is lively in different way. While above surface many business are targeted for tourists (and there are many tourists), down there the business are for more locals. It feels more real that way.
Dina´s last blog ..Top 3 Travel Gear Chosen by Travelers Around the World
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 06:26
The underground floor sounds interesting.
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But haha, that’s not a secret at all I guess, every local must know that.
Dina´s last blog ..Top 3 Travel Gear Chosen by Travelers Around the World
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 06:26
Yes, but you didn’t.
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I live in the Pacific Northwest where I cherish many beautiful hiking secret places. The trails are not secret, the secret is going further up the trail beyond all the strollers. Oneonta Gorge in the magnificant Columbia River Gorge is a favorite.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 06:26
Oh, that sounds like a cool place to discover.
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Sabina, as always it was Mike who led me here … else would’ve probably missed this interesting post !
Thanks, Mike !
Sabina, as one who is familiar with the Sultanate of Oman you do know that this place is truly ‘Arabia’s Best Kept Secret’ … be it the deserted, spotless beaches or the bare, majestic mountains, every twist and turn in Oman carries something never seen before.
Well, the fact is that you get to enjoy the outdoors here only for a limited period every year becuase of the searing heat.
Today, for instance is only 44 degree celsius and the ‘summer’ has not even started
!!!
LOL !!!!
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
May 22nd, 2010 at 06:28
It’s got lots of secret spots, I’m sure. But who can find them when it’s too hot to go outside?
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Another secret that’s not locally a secret. 2 things actually.
If you take Ruta 28 from Salta and then take the road to Lesser. Stop at the bridge, park and from there you can walk down to the river. Great in the summer. I’ve never seen anyone non-local.
The other is sort of a no-brainer, you’d think. But the Salta Municipal Market. I rarely see anyone but Saltenos there. Even though it’s right by city center and a fantastic place to visit.
Great post, Sabina.
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 18:37
I’ve always thought that sounds like a really cool place you chose to live, Leigh.
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I think it is not a secret but only a few, especially the hardcore outdoor enthusiasts, know about the thrill of conquering the Cumbrian outdoor. Great place. Great mountains and lakes. The outdoor is just spectacular. And if you rather stay at the hotel and explore the outdoor later, you can stash yourself away at Keswick City in one of the famed Keswick hotels there.
James Carsel´s last blog ..The Keswick Hotel Bacton
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Sabina Lohr Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 18:37
Hi, James. Thanks a lot for letting me know this.
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