Glamping.com has recently released a list of their top 5 glamping destinations for 2015. Each of their picks merges grit with glam to produce a one-of-a-kind glamping experience.
*****
The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, Montana
A luxury ranch resort situated on a sprawling 37,000-acre authentic working cattle ranch in western Montana, 35 minutes northeast of Missoula.
Photo, pawsup.com
Photo, pawsup.com
Website Overview: “At the crossroads of incomparable luxury and unspoiled wilderness lies The Resort at Paws Up. Whether you choose an expansive private home or a sophisticated, safari-style luxury tent, Paws Up provides an unfiltered connection with the natural beauty of Montana amidst a landscape of impeccable rustic elegance and comfort. Here, you’ll live day to day, adventure to adventure. Spend an hour, a day, or a week on horseback — all in a wilderness sanctuary you’ll never forget. Cast a fly in sparkling waters to eager trout, explore the land Lewis & Clark swooned over, or lose yourself in a world-class spa. You’ll sleep on the finest sheets, eat world-class cuisine and receive impassioned personalized service. It’s home to first-class adventure on a grand scale. The Resort at Paws Up—truly The Last Best Place. ”
*****
Glen Oaks Big Sur, California
Rustic-modern cabins in beautiful Big Sur country.
Photo, glenoaksbigsur.com
Photo, glenoaksbigsur.com
Website Overview: “The adobe motor lodge was considered modern in 1957, and 50 years later, Glen Oaks Big Sur has a fresh rustic-modern and green sensibility. Our remake takes the lead from the original natural adobe walls, known for keeping the hot sun out and the warmth in, and uses recycled and renewable stone, Peroba wood, bamboo, resin, wool carpets and organic cotton for a healthy and natural environment. Walk-in showers are evocative of showering in the forest, but the stylish chrome and porcelain fixtures will bring you back to the modern world. Whether you are out on a hike, or cozy in your room, you are never far from the warmth and color of nature. The natural wool blankets by Pendleton Woolen Mills and Coyuchi organic cotton bedding and feather duvets are delightful to snuggle under.”
*****
The Outlook Lodge, Green Mountain Falls, Colorado
An 1889 lodge near Pike’s Peak, re-imagined as a private, contemporary escape providing all the necessary creature comforts while maintaining a rustic simplicity.
Photo, outlookgmf.com
Photo, outlookgmf.com
Website Overview: “The Outlook Lodge is a handsome retreat tucked away in picturesque Green Mountain Falls and surrounded by Colorado wilderness. Offering both adventure and indulgence, The Outlook Lodge is an intimate, all-seasons getaway. Reserve the entire Outlook Lodge for a truly private escape. The Lodge is a perfect locale for family getaways, private events, and weddings.”
*****
Moose Meadow Lodge & Treehouse, Waterbury, Vermont
An Adirondack-style luxury lodge nestled on 86 secluded acres in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Photo, moosemeadowlodge.com
Photo, moosemeadowlodge.com
Website Overview: “With four luxury guest rooms and a magical treehouse, the property provides mountain views, a hot tub, hiking trails, a trout pond, and the Sky Loft—a glass-enclosed gazebo at the highest point of the property with unparalleled panoramic views. Whether you love skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, biking, hunting, fishing, antiquing, fine dining, the arts, or simply getting some rest, the Moose Meadow Lodge is a perfect location to do everything or nothing at all.”
*****
Cypress Valley Canopy Tours, Spicewood, Texas
Sleep 30 feet up in an old-growth Cypress tree and experience zipline adventures near Austin, Texas.
Photo, cypressvalleycanopytours.com
Photo, cypressvalleycanopytours.com
Website Overview: “A night in the trees will be one you always remember. Your treehouses are nestled high up in beautiful cypress trees where you can listen to the night noises of our magical ravine, watch the fireflies dance, and slumber peacefully in your treetop haven. The Lofthaven, Juniper, and Willow treehouses each sleep two guests, and the Nest sleeps up to six guests. A bridge connects you to your magnificent bathhouse with a waterfall-filled tub to relax and look out over the ravine.”
Visit Glamping.com for a directory of hand-selected, personally vetted, high-quality glamping destinations around the world.
While we’re still in the throes of glamping season, I thought I’d share one of the throw rugs we sell in my store in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (log onto Facebook to get to the store page). It’s wool. It’s well-made. It’s adorable. And I have one for all of my glampers (yup, that’s plural, as in several—two Shastas, one Airstream, one Yellowstone, one Tabitha, and one teardrop). Recently, we took most of them out of town for a family vacation to the same campground we stayed in last year. It made for a head-turning caravan going down the road, kind of like the scene in the rug.
And here’s my cat, Jasper Tomkins, right after he told me that if I took a photo with him on the rug, it would look more purrfect. You think I’m kidding, don’t you? I put the rug down on the floor to take a pic of it and he promptly walked over and posed just so for you. See, even cats get the glamper thing.
The 2′ x 3′ hooked wool rug was created by Carol Eldridge Designs. In order to make it yours, tell me in a comment below all about your trailer (or tent), along with its name. If you don’t own a trailer or tent, tell me what your fantasy glamper would look like. I’ll put your name in my glamper train case and pull out a winner to be announced here next month. Stay tuned!
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Joan Hendrix!!!
Joan Hendrix (#6465) has received a certificate of achievement in Garden Gate for earning a Beginner Level Backyard Farmer Merit Badge!
“My husband and I built a chicken coop this past spring. We attended city council meetings to change the ordinance so we would not violate the “one chicken rule.” In June, I became “mom” to 4-month-old chicks. I’ve read four books and planted herbs with the idea of fortifying the chickens’ diet with them. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides anywhere, although I have not been able to buy organic grower feed locally. I have spotted organic layer feed, so will be moving to that.
Well, the jury is still out on how this has worked since they haven’t started laying yet, but so far none of them are crowing!
The day the guy delivered them, he called me to say one of his died. One of mine died later that day. Cocci! He didn’t realize any were sick. The next day, he brought me medicine to put in their water. Another one died and one more was sick. I spent all day with that one (Pansy), making sure she drank a lot of the medicated water, plus some of my homemade yogurt, minced oregano, garlic powder, and a few of the grower crumbles. That evening, she seemed stable, so I let her sleep with her one remaining sister in the coop. She survived and is my sweetest lap chicken! All has been good since!”
If you’re a farmgirl at heart who’s planted in the city, you’ve probably dreamed about owning your own farm. Well, look what we discovered on our Farmgirl Connection chatroom from Barbara in Ithaca, NY (GreenSleeves2015):
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My parents have both passed away and it is time to sell their small farm (14+ acres) and Victorian home. It is located in Laurens, NY. It sits in a lovely rural spot, yet close to many conveniences. We hope there is someone out there looking for just such a terrific property, and I’d like to tell you a little about it. This farm is an excellent and exciting choice for a homestead, craft brewery, organic produce farm, or other home-based business. The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, an extra kitchen with floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinets, an amazing amount of storage for an old (1880) home (6 lighted, walk-in closets), and gorgeous woodwork throughout. There is a 2 1/2-story barn, chicken house and detached garage. There are 70 blueberry bushes, fenced with netting, that yield about 200 quarts a year. The land and buildings have been well maintained. There is a stream on the property.
Interestingly, wild hops grow abundantly on the property—AND—there is a great need in NYS for more hops growers. There is a large new brewery going in Oneonta, and a hops processing plant is in the works. This could be a great opportunity for the right person or family. We’ve been told that a 5-acre, fully mature planting of hops could yield a $50,000 income per year. There is room for this, as well as much more on this excellent property. This link will take you to more information. We are not listed with a realtor, but are hoping to find the right family on our own.
If you’d like to make an appointment to see it, or just to ask more questions, please call Margaret at 607-432-8063.
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Just for fun, we thought you might like to see what farmgirls are saying on our chatroom about Barbara’s farm:
Nini, Pennsylvania (Ninibini) says:
Oh, BARBARA! First, let me say how sorry I am for your loss. So hard. And letting go of a family treasure such as their home and farm must be very, very difficult. Having said that, though, I think I’ve just seen my dream farm!!! What I wouldn’t give to be able to relocate and start a new life there… We were upstate New York last fall and I fell in love, absolute love. But I think I could live a little further south and be quite happy. If only… If only… Thank you for telling us about your parents’ beautiful home and farm. I pray that the perfect family will move in and be able to honor their hopes, dreams, and hard work… and the love they built there! God bless – I wish you the best! Hugs – Nini
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Laura, St Augustine, FL (RabbitGirl) says:
Hi Barbara – I am so sorry for the loss of your parents. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to have to sell their home.
I actually know where Laurens is. I graduated SUNY Oneonta a long time ago, but I imagine and hope it hasn’t changed all that much, so I wanted to offer a testimonial that Otsego County is absolutely gorgeous and rural and the kind of place any true Farmgirl would love. Your parents’ home is beautiful. If my life circumstances were different, I’d want it for myself.
Best wishes to you in finding the right family that will love and preserve your parents’ farm.
Laura
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.
