And Then There Were Four...
Saying Goodbye, Colmar's Storybook Charm and a Quiet Night at Home
And Then There Were Four...
Saying Goodbye, Colmar's Storybook Charm and a Quiet Night at Home
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Saying Goodbye, Colmar's Storybook Charm and a Quiet Night at Home
Brian Schwan
7/9/2025
After a big travel day—and a big goodbye—it felt good to slow down.
We had officially dropped off our daughter with friends in France, where she’d be spending a few days immersed in the local culture, sleeping under a different roof, and seeing Europe through someone else’s lens. The rest of us weren’t exactly grieving, but the shift was real. Five travelers became four. We didn’t rush that morning. It was one of those quiet in-between days. Not a “bucket list” kind of day—but the kind that becomes memorable because it didn’t need to be.
From Belfort, we drove to Colmar, one of the prettiest little towns in the Alsace region. Think half-timbered buildings, flower boxes, canals, and more photo ops than our phones could handle. It’s like someone turned a fairy tale into a village.
We wandered. We didn’t have an agenda. The boys were content to roam while we ducked into a few shops and soaked in the atmosphere. It felt different from the Italian towns and Swiss villages we’d been in—lighter, more colorful, more like something you dream about before a trip actually begins.
In the afternoon, we made our way to our rental house in a small village. The house was charming and spacious, and after a few days of constant movement, we were more than ready to settle in and enjoy a quiet night in.
Colmar’s Storybook Charm
Colmar’s Storybook Charm
We didn’t try to see everything in Colmar—just wandered the cobblestone streets, crossed bridges, and let the colors wash over us. We all loved people watching, and we appreciated how easy the town was to navigate.
We grabbed a snack, watched performers in the square, and found ourselves leaning into the art of doing less. In a trip full of big days, this felt like a gentle intermission.
A Quiet Night at Home
A Quiet Night at Home
That evening, we made dinner at the house—nothing fancy, just groceries from a local market and a home-cooked meal in a cozy dining room. Everyone picked what they wanted (including some regional specialties), and we finally had a chance to eat at our own pace.
We didn’t need anything else that night. No activities. No “what’s next.” Just pajamas, a breeze through open windows, and the sense that we were right where we needed to be.
Practical Tips
Practical Tips
Slow down in Colmar. It’s tempting to chase every photo spot, but it’s even better to just wander.
Choose countryside lodging. The space and stillness outside Colmar made for a much-needed recharge.
Local groceries = happy kids. France and Germany have incredible markets, and letting each person pick something adds fun to the meal.
Build in soft days. Especially after emotional transitions, a “quiet day” can be the most valuable part of a long trip.
Not every travel day needs a checklist. Some of them just need time, a good breakfast, and a place to settle in. This day—tucked between border crossings and busy towns—was our chance to regroup, reset, and rest.
It was the first day we weren’t five. But it was also a reminder of why we travel: not just to move forward, but to pause, look around, and breathe in something new.
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