As much as I love the shock and awe of a coyote running across my path while hiking or the tingle in my tastebuds upon sampling some (locally raised) bison carpaccio, there is nothing like returning to the comforts of home after a trip. Here are 10 of my favorites:

1. The feel of my pillow against my face and sleeping in my own bed.
2. Walking in the door and being greeted with a friendly “woo-woo-woo” from Lisa, our golden retriever.
3. Clean laundry.
4. Home-cooked meals.
5. Opening the fridge and snacking whenever I want to.
6. Leaving stuff everywhere and not having to worry about housekeeping cleaning around it (isn’t it funny that I feel the need to pick up for housekeeping in hotels??)
7. Having a routine again.
8. The ability to sit around and do nothing without feeling like I’m missing out on some site I should see before I leave my destination.
9. Familiar smells - the smell of my house, the air outside, even my office!
10. Being able to focus on planning my next vacation.

photo credit: nowhere Zen New Jersey