Have you ever had the urge to run away from your life for a little while? I did — and I did it. In 2009, at the height of the Great Recession, I took a buyout from my job in journalism and left everything behind to spend three and a half months in Martha's Vineyard. It was a crazy move to make. But what I discovered there -- the stunning scenery, the incredible food, the wonderful people and the seductively laid-back approach to living -- changed my outlook and gave me a new appreciation for all that life has to offer. How much poorer my world would have been without seeing the majestic clay cliffs at Aquinnah and Gay Head, walking the island beaches in the moonlight and learning about the magic of lobster rolls. It was an unforgettable summer in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.