Tag: Key West

Winter Glamping Ideas for the Sun or Snow

The decision you make when it comes to your winter glamping depends on how you like to spend your winters. Will it be relaxing in the sun or enjoying the snow?

Winter at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Winter at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

On the snowy side, options could include Washington’s Thousand Trails Leavenworth, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Village Resort, and Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes in California. Leavenworth averages 89 inches of snowfall per winter so there’s no end to the white stuff for snowmobiling, skiing, sledding and snowboarding. Or maybe try something new like snowshoeing or Nordic skiing. The Bavarian-style village is even more quaint in winter with snow-capped backdrops and shopping, dining and winery options as well. A cozy tiny house at Leavenworth Tiny House Village is the perfect glamping accommodation for this trip. Yosemite National Park in winter offers the Badger Pass Ski Area for both downhill and cross-country skiing while hiking is an option on the many trails in Yosemite Valley. Grab a group and choose a spacious yurt or bunkhouse for your winter getaway at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes or a cozy glamping cabin for two. Pick one of the adorably decorated and super-trendy tiny houses at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and explore the Mt. Hood area and all there is to do here in winter thanks to the five ski areas available. Check out historic Timberline Lodge and Ski Area for downhill, snowboarding and more “shushy” fun or try something really unique with the Cosmic Tubing offered on weekend evenings at the Mt. Hood Skibowl or a moonlight snowshoe tour offered through the Timberline.


If fun in the sun is on the agenda this winter, visit the Florida Keys where fun in the sun is an everyday event. Rent a colorful glamping cottage at Encore Fiesta Key (located on the Keys’ Long Key) and island-hop for a full Keys experience. Of course, no visit to The Keys is complete without checking out Key West – the storied island known for its six-toed cats, Hemingway history and Key Lime Pie! Then there is Key Largo; home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the underwater wonder, Christ of the Abyss, the bronze sculpture that protects divers as well as memorializes those lost. There is Islamorada, often said to be the prettiest key thanks to its white sand beaches, or the Dry Tortugas with its 18th century fort and amazing coral reefs.

Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades
Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades

Staying in Florida but heading to the mainland, a winter getaway could include Miami with a stay at Encore Miami Everglades and check out Miami highlights including the Miami Zoo, the Wynwood Walls, a series of colorful street murals, kayaking in Oleta River State Park and of course, Everglades National Park.

Dunes at Marina Dunes RV Resort
Dunes at Marina Dunes RV Resort

If you’re craving sand in the winter, as well as the sun, head to California’s Marina Dunes RV Resort. With its proximity to Carmel and Monterey, you’ll be close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, historic Cannery Row, the scenic 17-Mile Drive and beautiful Big Sur. For that sand experience, walk the beach along the dunes here.

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Top Destinations to Visit Before Summer Ends

Whether you’re ready for it or not, another too short summer is coming to an end. Instead of lamenting the loss, grab the most you can out of the last few weeks of summer and take one last road trip. We’ve got some ideas for a last minute, all-in fun, trip:

Cabins at Thousand Trails Verde Valley
Cabins at Thousand Trails Verde Valley

Verde Valley: Any time of year here in Red Rock country is worth the trip. Why not take a late summer journey to Sedona and book a stay at Thousand Trails Verde Valley and enjoy all there is to do here from hiking to horseback riding to enjoying the Dark Sky designation of Cottonwood. Dead Horse State Ranch Park offers hiking trails as well as horseback riding and some great birdwatching opportunities. Relax and explore the Verde Valley Wine Trail (vvwinetrail.com) or head into Jerome and get to know this once bustling mining town-turned ghost town that is now a bustling artisan’s hub with shopping and restaurants.

The Keys: Key hop for your last adventure this summer and explore the Florida Keys. Stay with us at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village and get to know Bahia Honda State Park or visit the adorable, and unique, Key deer at the National Key Deer Refuge. Hop over to Long Key and glamp in a colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key and then hop on the Overseas Highway and head down to Key West and feel the vibe of this funky town so loved by Ernest Hemingway. Other Keys highlights include the Turtle Hospital (learn about how this facility rehabs sea turtles), John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (great for snorkeling and kayaking) and watching the sunset on Islamorada.

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

Mt. Hood: If hiking to Oregon’s Ramona Falls has been on your bucket list, “they” say the time to do it is in late summer and early fall so book a tiny house stay Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and get ready to hike. Enjoy the late summer bounty of the Mt. Hood Farmers Market (Friday afternoons through October) that in addition to the produce also features arts and crafts, bread and pastries and specialty items. Check out the old stomping grounds (literally) at the St. Josef’s Grapestomping Festival, set for September 7-8 (stjosefswinery.com), that will feature music, locally sourced food items, and of course, grapestomping.

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4 Garden Getaways in Full Bloom

It’s spring, so garden blooms are getting underway and things are greening up around the country. If you’re looking for inspiration for your own garden-to-be, check out some of these great public gardens in the country.

Thousand Trails Rancho Oso Cabin
Thousand Trails Rancho Oso Cabin

Lotusland (Montecito, California): Stay at Thousand Trails Rancho Oso and take the trip into Montecito to visit the 37 acres of lush gardens that were part of Polish opera singer Madame Ganna Walska’s residence. Walska purchased the estate in 1941 and lovingly created and curated the gardens for the next 43 years. The different gardens showcased here are definitely unique and include the Bromeliad Gardens, the Aloe Garden, and the Cactus Garden. The best time to visit Lotusland (lotusland.org) is summer for the lotus flowers and April through June for the roses.

Cabin at Spring Gulch Camping Resort
Cabin at Spring Gulch Camping Resort

Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania): From formal gardens to open, forest meadows, Longwood Gardens would be the choice when planning a stay at Spring Gulch Resort Campground, our Pennsylvania Dutch Country location with great glamping choices that include lodge, chalet or cottage accommodations. Longwood Gardens was originally a Quaker farmstead and later the estate of industrialist Pierre S. du Pont. There are over 1000 acres of outdoor gardens here, plus centuries’ old trees, scenic vistas and the Italian Water Garden designed by du Pont himself. Crocus and tulip blooms welcome visitors in the spring while the Norway maple trees blaze brightly come fall. For information and special event details, visit longwoodgardens.org.

Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden (Key West, Florida): Book a Keys glamping at adventure Encore Fiesta Key or Encore Sunshine Key and head to Key West to take in this 15.2 acre native garden and forest complete with boardwalks and nature trails nestled in the sunny Florida Keys. What makes this native plant botanical garden unique is that it is the only frost-free, subtropical, natural conservation habitat with three fresh-water ponds in the continental United States. Plus, dogs are welcome here! In addition to the “champion trees” found here, the garden is all great for birding as well as butterflies and blooming flowers. There are two butterfly gardens plus a waterfall wall where you can see turtles in their natural habitat.

Cottage at Greys Point Camp in Topping, VA
Greys Point Camp in Topping, VA

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Henrico, Virginia): This beautiful garden in Virginia is celebrating 40 years this year and to recognize that milestone a special program, “Flourish: 40 Years and Growing” will feature events all year long which include concerts and children’s and adult activities. Plan a glamping getaway at Grey’s Point Camp and you are less than 70 miles from the Gardens. Visitors will enjoy a dozen themed gardens plus an historic domed conservatory when exploring Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden that guarantees blooms all year!

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5 Things to Do in The Florida Keys

Does island hopping appeal to your travel senses? Or, is a great glamping trip that encompasses culture, history, outdoor activity, and a bit of the off-beat what you’re seeking in your next adventure? Whichever way you choose to travel, consider a glamping trip to the Florida Keys complete with a colorful cottage accommodation at Encore Fiesta Key, located on Long Key. Fiesta Key also offers Elite Suites as an option for your stay. The resort itself has plenty of activities and amenities, including a pool, marina and boat dock, horseshoes, fishing opportunities, and a super fun Tiki Bar and Cantina where you can relax and discuss your plans for your Florida Keys experience.

We serve up five ideas here on what to do in the Keys.

1. Visit Molasses Reef: The Molasses Reef Preservation Sanctuary Area is the most visited coral reef in the Upper Keys. It has clear water, plenty of fish to see and plenty of boulder corals. Book a charter through seadwellers.com and be ready to experience an other-worldly adventure which some have equated to swimming in a crystal clear aquarium! You might see nurse sharks, lobsters, shrimp, moray eels, angelfish, and sea turtles to name a few.

2. Spirited Adventures: There are all kinds of places to partake safely in the spirits here. Try some mead at Keys’ Meads on Key Largo. This Florida farm meadery offers hand-crafted mead and other spirits made from honey. At Papa Pilar’s Rum in Key West it’s all about the rum. From distillery tours to cocktail classes, this is a must-do. While there are no tours offered, plenty of fun can be found at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery. A pet-friendly beer garden, a swag shop full of island gear, food and, of course, drinks, plus special events and plenty of live music and games are what you can expect here.

Slice of Key Lime Pie


3. Key Lime Fun: There’s a whole history behind why it’s called a Florida Key Lime, but all we care about is how good the Key Lime Pie (KLP) pie tastes. Get in on the experience and try this tasty treat all around the islands. On Marathon, Keys’ Fisheries has some of the best KLP in the area, plus other yummy seafood. The colorful Key Lime Pie Bakery just off the famous Duval Street in Key West is another option. Also, try Midway Cafe on Islamorada for KLP or a Key Lime Tart. They also have gourmet coffees on the menu.

4. Unique Shopping: From shells to cigars, there are plenty of trinkets to pick up during a visit to The Keys. Shell World on Key Largo is good for well, you know, shells, but there’s plenty more island-related regalia here. The Big Pine Key Flea Market is open every weekend (Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and has everything from homemade soaps to fishing gear, jewelry, and local art. Rain Barrel Village on Islamorada is an outdoor market plaza with several specialty shops and eateries and lots of Florida souvenirs. Plus, there’s a giant lobster out front that makes for a perfect selfie backdrop! For cigars, check out Rodriguez Cigar Factory in Key West, where you can also see them being rolled.

Kayaking in Sunshine Key
Kayaking in Sunshine Key

5. Only in the Keys Experience: There are some things that you just can’t do anywhere else and if you’re in the Florida Keys, here are those experiences:

  • Feed the Tarpon at Robbie’s in Islamorada
  • Snap a selfie at the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. (Key West)
  • See the underwater statue, St. John of the Abyss, while snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park. (Key Largo)
  • Visit The Little White House – Florida’s only Presidential museum which was President Harry Truman’s winter home. (Key West)
  • Take a ride on the African Queen (Key Largo)

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Good Things Come in Small Packages

The meaning of the saying “good things come in small packages” is basically that things don’t need to be large to be good. In the case of our Petite Retreat accommodations, that saying is spot on. Take our tiny houses for example, they are small but they are mighty when you consider they are full of amenities like kitchens and full bathrooms, and have plenty of indoor and outdoor space for fun. Not to mention how cute they are inside and out! The same goes for our cabins, yurts, and cottages. While the amenities may vary here, they all provide just the right amount of space you need to have a great glamping adventure. When it comes to our tiny homes, we say “go tiny or go home,” and when it comes to all of our Petite Retreats we think a good adage may be “go small and go glamping.” You just cannot lose with these small packages! So, in the spirit of the holiday, consider some of these “good things in small packages” when planning your upcoming glamping trips!


These small packages come with the added bonus of location. And to use another well known phrase, location is everything. The Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, Washington, has five great tiny homes to choose from and is in a stunning Pacific Northwest location near the super charming Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth. Plus this destination offers some of the best outdoor activities in the area that include fishing, skiing, hiking, and biking. Then there’s the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, with seven tiny homes, in the beautiful Mt. Hood area of Oregon. Mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes are your playground when staying at Mt. Hood and there’s a lot of unique festivals to check out like the Annual Salmon, Mushroom, and Bigfoot Festival or the Huckleberry Festival that features all kinds of foods centered around the local huckleberry like pancakes and jams. Arizona’s tiny house offerings include those at Thousand Trails Verde Valley that are set among the backdrop of the healing Red Rocks in Sedona, Arizona. East coast options include Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, New Hampshire. Close to Boston and the beaches of the Atlantic, it provides a great glamping place to enjoy a New England adventure and there are five tiny homes to choose from here.

Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley
Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley


Looking for some southern hospitality? Check out Natchez Trace Tiny House Village nestled in the woodlands of Tennessee and yet just about an hour’s drive from all the fun of Nashville. There are six tiny homes here. The charming southern towns of Franklin and Leipers Fork are also nearby. Then there’s the fab five, equally colorful, tiny houses at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in the Florida Keys. Explore Key West, Key Largo and all the other don’t-miss attractions The Keys have to offer.

Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails
Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails

How about staying in the newest trend when it comes to glamping? Plan a trip this summer to Wisconsin, specifically the famed summer vacation playland known as The Wisconsin Dells and book a stay at our Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails. Yes, storage containers are experiencing a renaissance and they have become the hottest glamping accommodation around. Five storage containers, all of them featuring a kitchen and full bath, are roomy and colorful and so on-trend, everyone will be jealous of your glamping trip. These units are upcycled, giving the shipping containers a second life as a one-of-a-kind rental accommodation.

Beyond the fabulous tiny homes, Petite Retreats also include cabins, cottages, and yurts. Couple these unique accommodations with their locations, like Palm Springs, near Yosemite National Park, New York’s Adirondack Region, Maine’s charming Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, around the Pacific Northwest, loads of Florida spots including Orlando, as well as the Midwest, we can say for sure these glamping options are definitely the epitome of “good things in small packages.”

Go ahead and give yourself a gift this holiday and book a stay at one, or all, of these great glamping locations!

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Maximize Your Time Off with These Two Long Weekend Getaways

Unfortunately, it is a sad fact that Americans have admitted to taking just roughly 48% of the vacation time offered by their employers. Most likely it’s because when we think of a vacation, we think it requires at least a whole week off. But what about long weekends? Plan a few of those this fall so you can ensure you’re getting what you’re owed when it comes to rest and relaxation away from the workplace. Don’t leave a minute of vacation time unused – check out these long weekend getaways and hit the road!

Cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs
Cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs

Los Angeles to Palm Springs: If you live in the Los Angeles area, Palm Springs is less than two hours from the city, yet it seems like a world away. Book a colorful cottage stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs in Palm Desert and get away from it all. Leave your troubles on the ground and explore Palm Springs from the air via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Actually, the views are fantastic and the roughly 10-minute ride takes you to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Take your pick of the plentiful hiking trails here, browse the gift shop, check out the Natural History Museum, or take in the views from the observation decks. If you feel the need for a calming environment, check out the Palm Springs Art Museum. The 150,000 square-foot structure alone is worth the trip and the exhibits housed in 28 galleries and two sculpture gardens ice the cake. Check out the current exhibit, Meditations in Glass, which is said to “invite contemplation and stimulate daydream and reverie.” Speaking of glass, don’t miss the glass sculpture, End of Day 2, by Dale Chihuly. If you’re really looking for relaxation, consider taking a sound bath through Integratron (integratron.com). The 60-minute sonic healing session is open to the public (reservations required) and promises deep relaxation, introspection and rejuvenation. See how the rich and famous live here with a 1.5-hour Legends and Icons tour offered via getyourguide.com. And, of course, go to brunch either with your pup at Boozehounds Palm Springs or with a view at Vue Grille and Bar in nearby Indian Wells.

Under six hours – that’s not a bad drive for a long weekend of glamping and exploring the Florida Keys. At the very north end of Florida, Jacksonville charts the longest drive from the big city while Miami is the shorter of the “leave the city behind” drives at just a little over 2 hours. But really, life in the Keys isn’t like any other Florida location or anywhere else for that matter. As the late, great Jimmy Buffett said, “changes in latitude, changes in attitude.” Come to the Keys to regroup, refresh, and live it up a bit after the work-week grind. Book a stay at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or book a waterfront colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key and get ready to attitude-adjust.

Encore Fiesta Key Resort & Marina
Encore Fiesta Key Resort & Marina

Of course, snorkeling is a great way to leave it all behind and watching the fish swim about is definitely a path to tranquility and calm. Great snorkeling spots include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – with the underwater statue, Christ of the Abyss, as well as the Dry Tortugas National Park. Bahia Honda State Park is another snorkeling option that also has some great photo ops. Take a relaxing sunset dinner cruise from Key West (sunsetwatersportskeywest.com) or aboard a tiki boat out of Key Largo (cruisintikiskeylargo.com). For a relaxing hike, try the Fred C. Manillo Trail in the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. And another way to relax just may be enjoying a tropical drink, complete with a mini umbrella, in one of the many bars found on Key West. The oldest establishment here is Captain Tony’s Saloon while Sloppy Joe’s might be the most well-known.

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Best Destinations for November Getaways

While some people’s plans for November travel involves an “over the river and through the woods” kind of journey, others are seeking out destinations to round out a year of adventure. Roamingtheusa.com, a travel site that bills itself as “the unofficial guide to America,” created a list of great destinations for November travel and luckily, we have glamping accommodations nearby to most! Based on weather, things to do, and holiday events, roamingusa.com, suggests the following:

Bend, Oregon: One reason Bend made the list is that the typical crowds of summer have all but disappeared come November.If you’re early in the month, you might still catch the last of the fall foliage color show. But, if the leaves are gone, the outdoor adventures are still here. Bend is great for hiking! Hike Tumalo Falls or check out the views at Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint. The Bend Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 4, and for last-minute unique gifts, check out The Happy Campers Last-Minute Shopping Event featuring locally made gifts from pottery to jewelry. For your glamping consideration, try a yurt or cabin at Bend-Sunriver.

Cabin at Bend-Sunriver RV Campground
Cabin at Bend-Sunriver RV Campground

Key West, Florida: The waters are warm, the daytime temps range between 74 and 80 degrees, and there’s plenty to do in November here. November 12 promises to be a day of fun at the MOTE Marine Laboratory’s Ocean Fest (on Islamorada) that will feature touch tanks, animal experiences, live music, food, games, and other fun. Another great November event is The Big Pine and Lower Keys Island Art Festival, set for November 26. Of course, all the Keys have their own special island magic to offer so book a tiny house stay at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or a waterfront colorful cottage at Fiesta Key and explore them all. Snorkel, stand-up paddle, take a ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park, enjoy quirky Key West, the beauty of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, or just soak up the sun on the beach at Sunshine Key.

Palm Springs, California: Palm Springs in November couldn’t be more perfect when it comes to weather – average rainfall is zero and the average daytime temperature a sunny 79 degrees with evening temps falling to a still-pleasant mid-60s. So, it’s no wonder there are plenty of special events planned during this time of year. For starters, there’s Village Fest, a regularly scheduled Thursday night street fair in downtown Palm Springs that features shopping, dining, and live music opportunities. Magic Lights of Coachella Valley, a drive-through holiday-themed light display, begins November 18 and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens hosts their amazing holiday lights display beginning November 23. Other things not to be missed in the area include hiking in Joshua Tree National Park, a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Book a colorful cottage at Palm Springs in Palm Desert to be in the swing of all things Palm Springs.

Cottages at Palm Springs RV Resort
Cottages at Palm Springs RV Resort

San Antonio, Texas: Weather-wise, San Antonio enjoys daytime highs of 74 degrees in November, so that’s one reason to head to this Texas treasure. Things to do here include exploring the amazing River Walk, where you can shop, eat, and just enjoy walking along the river. There’s also the historic Alamo as well as several other missions you can tour, including Mission San Jose. Special events can include the Wurstfest, in nearby New Braunfels, which runs through November 13 and pays tribute to the area’s German culture, the Ford Holiday River Parade, scheduled for November 25, and underground caroling at Natural Bridge Caverns. Reserve a glamping cabin at Medina Lake to be near all the fun in San Antonio.

For a full list of roamingtheusa.com’s suggested November travel destinations, visit roamingtheusa.com and then visit petiteretreats.com to find the perfect glamping accommodation to go along with your November adventure.

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Happy Birthday, Florida!

The Sunshine State celebrates 177 years of statehood this March 3rd, so come celebrate the state that provides miles of coastline and sandy beaches, the subtropical wilderness known as the Everglades, and of course an abundance of sunshine.

With so many great places to stay with us in Florida, you can celebrate the whole state. Sunny getaways abound all around the state from cottages at Bulow, Sherwood Forest, Sunshine Holiday Daytona, Pioneer Village, and Fiesta Key; cabins at Miami Everglades and Peace River; and adorable tiny homes at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village (to see all the great Florida locations visit petiteretreats.com and book now). Spend time on the Gulf Coast, drive over to the Atlantic coast, discover Central Florida, and explore the Keys – whatever you choose, celebrate the Sunshine State this March.

Florida Festivals: Thanks to the great weather, there’s always something being feted, and March has plenty of events! There’s the Strawberry Festival in Plant City (March 3-13); Daytona Bike Week (March 4-13); the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival (March 12-13); the Marathon Seafood Festival (March 12-13); and Carnaval Miami, which celebrates all things Miami, and runs from February 26 through March 13.

St. Augustine, FL Skyline
St. Augustine, FL Skyline

History Lessons: Why not visit Florida’s (and the nation’s) oldest city, St. Augustine, to learn the history of Florida and life way back in the 1500s? Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Mose Historic State Park, and perhaps the Pirate & Treasure Museum are a good place to start. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Clewiston provides visitors insight into the history and culture of the Seminole, who are an integral part of Florida’s history. Other options for history trips can include the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West or the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.

Funky Florida: Get a little off the beaten path of the typical tourist and celebrate Florida’s wild side. Up-close-and-personal experiences can include swimming with the manatees in Crystal River, learning all about sea sponges at Sponge-o-rama in Tarpon Springs or an iconic airboat ride through the Everglades. Spook Hill in Lake Wales supposedly defies gravity and is haunted while Robert the Doll, who can be found at Key West’s Fort East Martello Museum, is guaranteed to give you the willies. Funky underwater experiences can include Neptune Memorial Reef in Key Biscayne, the underwater statue of Christ, known as Christ of the Abyss, which can be found in the waters off Key Largo, or the one-of-a-kind swimming mermaids in Weeki Watchee Springs State Park.

Top Attractions: Florida’s long-standing highlights include Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, Busch Gardens Tampa, and the beautiful beaches. Top-rated beaches include South Beach, Cocoa Beach, St. Pete’s Beach and Fort Myers Beach.

Cottage at Peace River Camping Resort

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National Beautiful Day

Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, WA.

Beauty is subjective, thus the saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” What one person sees as beauty may well not be what another person sees in the very same thing. Whatever your idea of beauty may be, make sure you celebrate November 20, which is National Beautiful Day, any way you see fit!

Tiny House Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, WA.

Beautiful Leavenworth: Without doing much, Leavenworth, Washington, is considered a beautiful town. With its Bavarian-style architecture, mountain backdrop, and quaint downtown it’s quite pretty. Toss in the thousands and thousands of twinkling lights during the holidays and one word comes to mind: beautiful! Plan a stay at the equally beautiful Leavenworth Tiny House Village to enjoy beautiful Leavenworth.

Yurt at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort in Groveland, CA.

Beautiful Yosemite: In a recent poll of its followers, roughguides.com asked them to name the most beautiful locations in the USA. California’s Yosemite National Park topped the list, which also included the Grand Canyon and the entire state of Alaska. Take a trip and see what makes Yosemite a list-maker. For beautiful views, check out El Capitan, Vernal Fall, and Mirror Lake. Stay in a serenely beautiful yurt or cozy cabin at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort while exploring the natural beauty of Yosemite.

Beautiful Crater Lake: Again, a list-maker when it comes to the most beautiful lakes in the US, Oregon’s Crater Lake is known for the beautiful blue color of the lake. The surrounding mountains and towering pines make the views here real stunners! Spend a beautiful day driving the 33-mile Rim Drive which offers breathtaking views of meadows, forests, and the lake.  Book a tranquilly beautiful yurt and stay at Bend-Sunriver RV Campground.

Crater Lake is in Klamath County, OR.

Beautiful Drive: The 17-Mile Drive, which runs along California’s Monterey Peninsula, is a short, but oh so sweet drive of the beautiful kind. With the coast of the Pacific as your companion, the highlights of this drive include Bird Rock (what do you think they are buzzing about?); the Lone Cypress (one of Cali’s most famous landmarks); and Pescadero Point with its fab views of Point Lobos. Check out the unique accommodations at Morgan Hill RV Resort and choose from a cottage, cabin, or safari tent.

Beautiful Sunsets: The Travel Magazine calls them gorgeous sunsets and we all know gorgeous is another word for…beautiful!  Here’s one place to catch the beauty in California, according to the magazine’s list of the 10 best sunsets in the state.  Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara, also called Hendry’s Beach by the locals, offers one beautiful sunset, over and over and over again. On the other side of the country, the sunsets are just as beautiful and some of the most beautiful can be found in Key West, Florida. And Key Westers tend to make it a regular celebration – check out the fun at the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration and catch one of Key West’s spectacular sunsets. For the east coast sunset, consider at stay in a colorful tiny house at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or colorful cottages at Fiesta Key RV Resort, and for Cali-style sunsets, Rancho Oso has great cabins for rent.

Colorful cottages at Fiesta Key RV Resort in Long Key, FL.

Beautiful S’Mores: True, they are nothing more than some crackers, sugar, and chocolate but who doesn’t think a perfect s’more is a thing of beauty? Some fun ideas to mix it up could include substituting the chocolate for almond butter and banana, switching out the graham crackers for snickerdoodle cookies; or the truly beautiful s’more made with chocolate graham crackers, sliced strawberries, and dark chocolate. Check out some of our favorite gourmet s’mores 1927smores.com.

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Book Tour

Exeter, New Hampshire, birthplace of John Irving, the novelist.

National Read A Book Day is observed annually on September 6. We’re feeling a little bookish this month and are ready for an adventure that’s one for the books!

Take a page from our Book Tour travel guide, and head to these cities that were either the setting for a famous book or the hometown and/or inspiration for some of the most famous authors in the US.

Cozy cabins at Narrows Too in Bar Harbor, Maine.

One of the most prolific writers of horror and supernatural fiction, Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine. Plan a trip to Maine and stay with us in a cozy cabin at our Bar Harbor resorts, Mt. Desert Narrows and Narrows Too, and then head about an hour northwest and explore the town of Bangor. In addition to seeing King’s current residence, you can check out some sites related to King’s novels in Bangor that include the Paul Bunyan Statue located in Bass Park that was featured in It, and Mount Hope Cemetery which was featured in Pet Sematary.

Fisherman’s wharf in Monterey, California.

John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, and the area became the inspiration for so many of his classic novels. Book a stay in a cabin, cottage, or ultra-unique safari tent at Morgan Hill RV Resort and you’re less than 50 miles from Steinbeck’s California. Visit Monterey, the setting for his acclaimed Depression-era novel Cannery Row, which depicted life in the town known as the Sardine Capital of the World. Don’t miss the Cannery Row tour. The town was also the setting for Tortilla Flat, the novel that earned both commercial and critical success for the author. Steinbeck’s home and the National Steinbeck Center can be found in Salinas.

The town of Exeter, New Hampshire.

John Irving, author of many novels including The World According to Garp and Hotel New Hampshire, is a native of New Hampshire and attended the University of New Hampshire. If you’re considering a stay with us at the Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, you’ll be less than 10 miles from Exeter, which is not only Irving’s birthplace, but also the model for the town of Gravesend, featured in the bestseller, A Prayer for Owen Meany. Fans of the movie Cider House Rules, which was based on Irving’s novel of the same name, will be interested to know that three scenes from the movie were filmed at the Northfield Drive-In in Hinsdale, which is still in operation and is about 100 miles from the Tuxbury Tiny House Village.

Tiny house Lucy at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in Big Pine Key, Florida.

Ernest Hemingway and Key West, Florida, pretty much go hand in hand. Not only did he write about Key West in his novel To Have and Have Not, but he also spent many years living on the island. Undoubtably one of Key West’s most famous residents, the town honors Hemingway every July during Hemingway Days. Book a stay with us at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village (where we have a tiny house named after him!) and head down to explore Hemingway’s Key West. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which is located in the house in which Hemingway lived for over 10 years, offers tours of the home and garden. The Blue Heaven saloon was a favorite of the authors and visitors today can enjoy breakfast or lunch here. Another favorite Hemingway haunt was Sloppy Joe’s. Famous for its sandwich of the same name, the bar pays tribute to Papa with an annual look-alike contest.