We’ve all heard how important it is to eat a diet high in roughage. Likewise, “roughaging” (spending time outdoors) is essential to our mental health. Even if it’s a settee on the porch, we need it, gotta have it. I aim to be the reason you pulled your bedding out the back door last night.
There are 65 days; 5,616,000 seconds; 93,600 minutes; 1560 hours and 9(ish) weeks until International Glamping Weekend.
But who’s counting?
Trish Martin, our Australian glamper-ific girlfriend down-under is, and she’s taking International Glamping Weekend to the next level.
Below is an article posted on AdelaideNow about her Glamper Gals event. Trish was one of the first to list her event with us on our International Glamping Weekend ‘gatherings’ page last year, and again, this year. Now with 500 members, she’s taking Australia by storm!
Or, better yet, by sunny weather and a cocktail …
Jen Weeks, Mardi Zeunert, and Mel Ward are on the glamping bandwagon, pictured with Mardi’s vintage caravan, “Flossie.” Picture: Naomi Jellicoe. Courtesy of AdelaideNow.
Now that you’ve read my book, Glamping with MaryJane, you need to find a fabulous place to get your glam campin’ on.
And so, we’re back for a third day of where to glamp in 2013. Wandering the Sunshine State in search of a Silver Bullet to rest your head?
Look no further than Silver Bullet Retreats.
Silver Bullet Retreats
Florida
Ever wanted to hook up without the commitment? Silver Bullet Retreats has your back. Pick a Central Florida campground, with full hookups, and they’ll do the leg work.
They’ll tow in one of their dreamy, professionally decorated vintage Airstreams, set it up (oh yeah!), and after a quick orientation, all you have to do is sit back and get your glam on. While there, you can also visit these parks for free, that means no additional fee from Silver Bullet Retreats (you’ll still have to pay a park fee) including:
Fort Desoto
Hillsborough River State Park
Lake Manatee State Park
Little Manatee River State Park
Alafia River State Park
With a minimal charge for distance, you can also visit.
Chassahowitzka River Campground ($125 extra)
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground ($150 extra)
Lake Kissimmee State Park ($100 extra)
Myakka State Park ($100 extra)
Oscar Scherer State Park ($100 extra)
So pack up the kids and give ’em a trip in a Land Yacht they’ll never forget. Take a trip down memory lane to a time of nostalgia—fly a kite, play board games, walk the trails, help ’em build a fort. I’d suggest leaving the electronics at home, but if you don’t, go on a Geocaching treasure hunt. But leave Fido at home. Help preserve these trailers so they’ll be around for another 50 years.
Carol Saucier says: Just curious as to how you can visit these state parks for free. Are the regular entrance fees included? All Florida State Parks have a fee that varies by park, day visit or camping.
ace says: Hi Carol! The prices in the post refer to Silver Bullet Retreat’s fees for travel. Not the individual parks themselves. The Airstream company charges their own fees for traveling longer distances due to wear and tear on the Airstreams. If you click on the links you will be taken to each parks individual website to see what they charge for hookups and the like. A yearly pass would seem to be the wisest choice if you were to try and visit all the parks. -ace
Gather ’round, glampers!
You’re going to LOVE this!
Whether you have your own glamporous travel trailer or you’re pining for one with all your heart,
you’ll go ga-ga over these adorable birdhouses I found on Etsy, just in time for spring …
Take a gander at this Vintage Aluminum Airstream Birdhouse Trailer crafted by ChromeDomeStudio:
The next two are travelicious trailers by Strictly for the Birds:
Terry Steinmetz says: Glampers for birds! What an idea!
Now that you’ve read my book, Glamping with MaryJane, you need to find a fabulous place to get your glam campin’ on.
And so, we’re back for a second day of where to glamp in 2013. Montana bound with plenty (warning: I did say plenty) of extra cash on hand? Check out:
The Resort at Paws Up
Montana
These luxurious glamping sites come with a variety of amenities, depending on how you’d like to tailor your stay. Most unique are a personal butler, individual chef for your camp site, and outdoor fire pits with nightly s’mores service all situated in the breathtaking Montana wilderness. And of course, cell service, Internet, and electricity are all part of the luxury of glamorous camping at Paws Up.
The glamping sites include an en-suite bathroom, double vanities, vary from 2-4 bedrooms, and are equipped with The Last Best Bed®. You may choose from tenting on the Blackfoot River, Elk Creek, Lookout Rock at Cliffside Camp overlooking the Backfoot, or Pinnacle Camp with some of the most breathtaking views in the region.
Terry Z says: I love your mag & know I will love this, too.
They are a good copy of what you’ve done at your wonderful B&B, Mary Jane. Have you thought about trying to go to a Buck Brannaman horse clinic? Wouldn’t that make a wonderful weekend getaway ? It’s so inspiring to watch him work with the horses.
Hi MJ… Oh, I love the one below with horsebackriding.. I’ve been trying to get my family on board for a va ca like this for years…. Might just have to make it a girls only trip!
While I’m here I have to tell you that I just discovered Sheperd Huts and I am in love!!! It’s glamping English Countryside Style!
http://www.hollowash.co.uk/Home.html
Love,
Deb
Pingback: Glamping Sites to Visit in 2013: Day 13 of 15 | Raising Jane Journal
I know there are times when I’m too tuned in …
Plugged?
Wired!
I can feel it.
It’s that computerized conundrum we find ourselves in these days:
Love the connection, the info, the ease of getting stuff done.
Hate the fevered-focus-brain-fog syndrome that hits when we get too caught up in living online.
Been there, done that—right?
Not unlike an addiction, this fact-paced electronic lifestyle can be hard to quit—even for a few hours.
Sometimes willpower alone just doesn’t cut it.
We know we should unplug, but … hang on … just one more e-mail …
Winnie Nielsen says: Another part of this problem is when your job keeps you on the computer all day long. Keeping plugged in is how we function at work and after years of doing that, it all becomes just part of your way of living. Indeed it is hard to separate technology when sometimes, text or instagram is the only way someone will respond to you. For us older women, we remember life without the internet. But the younger generation don’t have that and think nothing of the new way of navigation through life. It is very hard to bridge some aspects of the younger generation.
Elizabeth says: I’m remembering a long time ago when my friends & I would write notes to each other in school; even though we had just seen one another for breakfast & would soon meet again for lunch. My dearest friend at the time was a straight “A” student (a really quick study who would finish her quiz/test/work early) and then she would write these super long letters to me. Her penmanship was impeccable too & her thought process more advanced than any in our group. I’m not sure where I’m going with this yet but I think it has something to do with creative minds.
Most of us seek a connection of some sort but few (certainly not me) can be proficient at more than one skill at a time. And with all of the electronic gadgets available now, it can be a bit overwhelming. I enjoy many different activities but can get wrapped-up quickly with too much computer time. Guess it is a lot like the child who just doesn’t want to go to sleep when everyone else is still awake…you just don’t want to miss anything:-)
But as soon as I can safely transplant all of my seedlings outside, I suspect the Internet & I will have much less time together…and that will be just fine for me.
Our “cyber connections” do become a habit and we become really aware of them when our internet service goes down or modem/router equipment has to be replaced. This is just we’ve experienced in the last month and it’s really an eye-opening experience.
I was shopping for a battery backup unit for our desktop computer and our modem/router in the event of power downspikes. That doesn’t happen often, thanks to the excellent services of our cooperative electric provider, but it does and most especially in the upcoming spring wonky weather and then summer monsoons. I was talking with the gentleman who was helping me with my purchase about going back to the “old ways”. He comment was that we can’t go back . . we’ve become so computerized, internet-ized, website-ized that we can’t go back. Hmmmmmm . . .
I do unplug and go for my power walks every day, go work on my sewing projects, papercraft projects or just go outside for some short “business trip” walks with my dog and to do outdoor chores. I try to just take care of whatever business I need to, then “sign out”.
And, with spring coming there will be more outside time! And then there is “glamping” season coming! 😀
Terry Steinmetz says: I’m so glad that you shared what I was feeling. I don’t use the internet much, as we have s-l-o-w connections. But I get “wound” when I’ve spent too much time on our computer. So I like to go for a walk or knit or sew or even do the dishes. I noticed that when my daughter is on her computer, she is “addicted”. My grandgirls feel it too. They end up doing things by themselves when they could enjoy so much more with their mom.
Eileen V Widman says: A while back when The MJF website was new and I was recovering from total knee replacement surgery twice I was moderator for her site. I found that I loved the connection and discussions. My computer was slow and time consuming and since I was not able to do a lot of my usual out door stuff it was a wonderful way to spend my time. But when I was getting better and more able to do my usual things again I found I needed to set a timer and simply turn off my computer and disengage from the conversations so that I could accomplish the out door and household chores here on our mini-farm. I have found that since the emergence of Facebook it is harder to disconnect, because there is so much to read and talk about that I do not see in my local paper or even in group gatherings to knit or spin or sewing times. Then I have the “TIMER” to remind me that my main world is here and now with my local friends, neighbors and volunteering at things that I am useful doing like tutoring Phonics at the kindergarten in town or spending time volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity store here in town. Timer dings and I am outa here for the rest of the day until in the evening I look in again for about 30 minutes. It works to keep me connected locally, at home and online in a balanced way.
Now that you’ve read my book, Glamping with MaryJane, you need to find a fabulous place to get your glamp on.
Here’s the first installment of 15 places in the U.S.A. (There are more, but I figure 15 will get you dreamin’ out loud.)
Cherry Wood Breakfast & Barn
Washington
Because who doesn’t want to stay in a tepee? These glowing bungalows in Yakima, Washington, are filled with cozy beds and are available April thru early October. Along with barbeque grills, compact refrigerators, separate super-clean and private water closets, open-air showers round out the amenities.
Have you ever been on a winery tour via horseback? Giddyup and sip up! Ride on an all-day tour, with your horse or theirs, to the local wineries, including a stop for lunch at Cultura Winery.
Mannerly dogs are welcome for $20 a night, but leave the kids at home, this is a working ranch. Your pup will get their own special bed beside yours, and a safe secure kennel to stay in while you’re on the wine trail.
And, while you’re at it (you’re on vacation after all), restore yourself in a twilight tub. Warm soothing waters, delicately scented bath salts, a gentle breeze through the willows, and nothing but the wide open skies above.
Take in the sunset, watch the moon rise or gaze at the stars – there’s no better way to end a day in the wine country of Washington. Outdoor bathing is an extra $35 / person per hour.
Winnie Nielsen says: The new glamping vacation venue keeps getting better and better! It is all so creative and different. It seems like most places are located in the west. Are they here in the East?
MaryJane says: Interesting observation. I will look into it and cover that going forward.
ace says: Hey, Ace here. 🙂
We received such a nice note from owner, Pepper, today. In case anyone reading this didn’t know, ALL of the horses there are rescues. She said the idea began with a desire to help these animals, “My husband said, you may rescue as many horses as you want if you can find a way to support the feed bill, so we did!”
Such a lovely story! Thanks for sharing with us Pepper.
I’d like you to meet Manuela.
She is a maven of mystery,
a practitioner of patience,
a survivor in the purest sense.
Manuela, I should mention,
is also …
a turtle,
a red-footed tortoise, to be exact,
and she has a story that rivals fiction.
Let’s just say that the Count of Monte Cristo had nothing on this resilient reptile.
You see, Manuela has been in exile for 30 years …
Terry Steinmetz says: What a story of survival! And isn’t she so cute?!
Winnie Nielsen says: What a face! I am so happy to hear that she is still with us. A national treasure indeed!!
Correen Drake says: Never give up…. wow what a story, made my day.
That is wild! When we lived in lower Alabama and would come back to Tennessee for visits, my kids always took turtles home. They always escaped. I wonder where they are now.
Barbara Grace says: How cool. Way to go Manuela!
Elizabeth says: Beautiful! Your girl looks so sweet & cuddly.
Winnie Nielsen says: What a sweetie! Her face looks so gentle!
Terry Steinmetz says: She is wonderful. Don’t you wonder what she is thinking?
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
Have Glamper will travel! I love it that the glamping “fever” has jumped over the big pond to Australia. From the photos and stories on the Connection, glamping has provided the opportunity for so many women to express their creativity, make new friends, see new places, and bask in the peace of friendship in beautiful places! Wonderful!
Thank you Mary Jane for such wonderful words, I thank you for inspiring the idea here xoxo Much love all the way from Australia, love Trish. P.S. You girls are always welcome here 🙂