My First Solo Trip: A Treehouse Escape Near Waco
Starting Over, Softly
I didn’t go far—just 45 minutes north of home—but this little trip meant more than any long-distance vacation ever could.
After major life changes, I’ve spent the past few weeks figuring out who I am outside of all the roles I’ve filled. This was my first time going somewhere just for me. No schedule. No planning around anyone else. Just peace.
So I booked a night at Waco Creekside Resort in Elm Mott, Texas. One night in a treehouse. That’s it. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed.
The Treehouse Life
This place was small, quiet, and tucked just off the highway—close enough to Waco, but far enough to feel like a world away. I stayed in a little studio-style treehouse that had:
A bed, couch, and table
Mini fridge and microwave
K-cup coffee maker
A real bathroom with hot water
AC, Wi-Fi, and quiet all around
I sat on the patio with a book and just exhaled. No one needing anything from me. No noise. Just birds and breeze. I felt safe and still.
Dinner at Café Homestead
There’s not a ton nearby for food, so I drove about 15 minutes to Café Homestead. It’s part of this really cool religious-based community called Homestead Heritage. Everything is made from scratch—bread, butter, cheese, you name it.
I made a reservation for 5:45, but heads up—everything else there closes at 5, so I didn’t get to check out the shops or farm. Next time, I’ll go earlier.
I started with their fresh mini biscuits and freshly whipped butter. Oh. My. Goodness.
They were little clouds of perfection, and I wanted to eat the whole basket.
I had planned on the quesadilla burger, but they wouldn’t modify it (no-go on removing the peppers), so I went with a regular cheeseburger instead. It hit the spot. Homemade bun, local cheese, hand-cut fries—simple and really, really good.
I brought a slice of carrot cake back to the treehouse for later. Spoiler alert: totally worth it.
Sunday Slow-Down
My plan was to eat at Waco Waffle Company the next morning, but I forgot they’re closed Sundays—same with most of the Homestead places. It's a religious day of rest, which honestly, makes sense now that I’ve seen how calm the whole area feels.
So instead, I heated up the leftover biscuits in the microwave, made a cup of coffee with the K-cups they provided, and sat at the little table just… being.
Check-out was super easy. Just clean your dishes, toss towels in the shower, lock the door, and go.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a peaceful spot not too far from Waco—maybe to reflect, breathe, or just reset—Waco Creekside is a great place to land for a night.
I didn’t do anything big. I didn’t go far.
But I took time for me for the first time in a long time.
And that’s something I’ll definitely come back for.
More to Come...
This is the first of many solo trips I plan to take as I figure out what life looks like on my own. If you're walking through something hard—or just looking for quiet places to go—I hope you’ll stick around.
There’s beauty in the in-between.
And I’m finally learning how to find it.
