We Got Away With Getaway House
Sometimes you just need to Getaway…
There's something about the days getting longer and the air warmer that draws out our innate desire to connect with nature. A natural tendency you may say. While the majority of the year I don't give much thought to camping, summer rolls around and I find myself craving the invigorating experience of waking up in the great outdoors (for a night or two). The problem for dabbling campers, such as myself, is you don't want to overly invest in the hobby. It's initially expensive and the prep time is exhausting. That's why I find the new wave of accessible camping experiences popping up around the country so great, as they allow family and friends to connect with each other and nature in a way they might not otherwise. For those of you who feel the same, add a weekend with Getaway House to your summer adventures.
The past few years you may have seen pictures on social media of sleek black cabins in the woods, their oversized windows reflecting the nature surrounding them and interiors designed to be a hygge dream for minimalist millennials. Well, those pictures are most likely of a Getaway House cabin, which to be honest, I hadn't paid much attention to until the company opened their latest outpost this month outside Nashville. With intention to explore more of our home state of Tennessee, last weekend we packed the car and drove two hours north to the Dale Hollow Lake area for 24 hours of distraction-free family time. And we loved every minute of it!
The mission of Getaway is to make escaping to nature easier than ever. Their 15 locations across the country all clock in under two hours from major cities such as Chicago and Austin, and the cabins are stocked with basic supplies (think cooking utensils, towels, fire starters, etc.). An hour before check-in, they text you the name of your cabin (which has been lovingly named after a grandparent of a staff member) and a keycode. That's it. A seamless process to a stress-free escape!
Our cabin, Momo, was in
perfect condition (in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we were the first guests to stay in it) and was efficiently designed to house a small kitchen, desk and bathroom with a toilet and hot running water in the shower. Arguably the best part of the entire experience is the queen-sized bed perfectly positioned under the full wall window which allows you to connect with nature, whether you're inside or out. After slipping our phones into the cellphone lockbox, we spent the afternoon curled up in bed reading, playing board games and simply enjoying the forest view as we exhaled the cares of the world. (Note: We opted for a cabin with a single queen bed to have the best view possible, but they do offer cabins with two queen beds stacked for larger families.)
As day turned to night, we shifted our attention outside, grilling dinner over an open fire and roasting marshmallows. Each camp site is outfitted with a large picnic table and adirondack chairs circling a fit pit, as well as firewood and starters, once again, making the experience effortless and easy. Though this Nashville outpost houses 50 campsites, we didn't see or hear other guests during our stay, which was perfect as it gave me comfort knowing we weren't alone but still provided the stillness we were seeking. As we put out the last embers of the fire, I crawled into bed with a thankful heart only to find my gratitude multiplied when I looked up to see a clear sky full of stars. Until that moment it hadn't even crossed my mind that the oversized window would provide amazing views both day and night. While we weren't technically sleeping under the stars, we had the same awe-inspiring view, just from the comfort of an air conditioned bed. It was the perfect end to a great day.
Whether you're looking for some quality time with the kids over summer break, or a solo escape to look inward, I highly recommend this as a weekend trip. If a Getaway outpost isn't within driving distance of your hometown, check-out Under Canvas or Wander Camp, which both offer a very similar experience, the only difference being you sleep in tents. And while avid campers no doubt roll their eyes at these types of places, I see them as nothing but positive. Anything that helps get people outside connecting with nature is worth celebrating!
For $25 off your next Getaway, use my referral link. Happy camping!
