Month: February 2025

Forest Bathing – No Water Required!

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a boom in technology that plunged the average, everyday person into the digital world, resulting in what could be called screen-time addiction. During that time, the use of home computers, hand-held video games, and portable pocket-sized devices for our viewing and listening pleasures became the norm rather than the exception.

So, it’s no wonder that in the early 1980s, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries began to promote the practice of shinrin-yoku to encourage people to spend time in nature. Shinrin-yoku translates to “forest bathing,” which is fast becoming a popular way to go off grid and absorb the benefits of nature.  ­

Studies have shown plenty of positive health benefits of forest bathing. It reduces levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. It also has been proven to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, boost energy levels, and provide more sound sleep.  Plus, you don’t necessarily need to do anything strenuous – simply bathe in the natural surroundings and be present in the very moment!

Come stay with us and enjoy the nearby forests and take the plunge (no bathtub necessary) to see why forest bathing is making such a big splash these days.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver
Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver

The Deschutes National Forest is just minutes from the yurts and cabins at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver. Bask in the beauty of the soaring trees, which include Douglas firs, Ponderosa pines, Western larch, and White pines. There are roughly 76 moderate trails in the 1.8 million acres that comprise the forest. Waterfalls, wildlife, and mountain views add to your bathing pleasure!

The Tuxbury Tiny House Village

The Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, New Hampshire, has two nearby options for forest bathing: Cowden State Forest and Powwow River State Forest. While a short drive away, about an hour and a half to be exact, this puts you smack dab in the middle of the White Mountain Forest with plenty of hemlock, pines, and spruce trees to bathe in. Fun fact, the state of New Hampshire is the second most forested state in the US with roughly 81 percent of forest land, so everywhere you look, there’s an option to forest bathe!

Cabins at Tranquil Timbers in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

Take a trip to Wisconsin’s Door County and you’ll find yourself surrounded by forest lands, including Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands. A stay at Tranquil Timbers is a great way to get your daily dose of forest bathing. Baileys is home to spruce, cedar, birch, and hemlock trees as well as a bevy of birds including warblers and merlins who can add the soundtrack to bath time.

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5 Things to Do Near Houston & Lake Conroe

If you know anything about Texas you know the summer months can be a bit steamy. Actually, February is considered a good month to visit Houston, the most populous city in the Lone Star State. The mild temps (daytime highs average 67 degrees) allow both indoor and outdoor exploration of this city whose attractions are as diverse as the population. As you plan your stay, book a cabin stay at either Thousand Trails Lake Conroe or Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday.

Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe
Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe

Have you ever visited the birthplace of a state flag? Now’s your change since you’re close to the town of Montgomery, which is, in fact, the birthplace of the Texas state flag. That little fact became history when the president of the Republic of Texas asked a Montgomery resident to create the Texas flag. This charming town has lots of shops, restaurants and Fernland Historical Park which has a museum, an educational center and several examples of pre- and post-Civil war homes.

This one is a bit odd but could be as life-affirming as it is interesting – the National Museum of Funeral History (nmfh.org). The museum, owned by a funeral company, of course, has historic hearses, memorabilia from famous funerals, including Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy, and traces the history of funerals in the US.

Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday
Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday

Ok, you can’t come to the Lake Conroe area without doing something focused on this amazing 22,000-acre lake. Boat, swim, ski, fish, take a cruise on a floating tiki hut, or just enjoy a sunset or two by the water. The lake is known for its population of largemouth bass – in fact, the Big Bass Tour fishing tournament is scheduled for February 28-March 2. Sunsets are best viewed from the water so check into the long list of dinner and sunset cruises available.

Be a Tourist: Check out viator.com for one of the many tours they offer including a Walking Food Tour, an official city tour aboard a double-decker bus, a Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart, or a Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston. Of course, the main attractions in the city include the Space Center Houston, beautiful Buffalo Bayou Park and the Houston Zoo. If you’re planning ahead, check out tickets to the biggest event in town come March which is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scheduled for March 4 through March 23. This major event will feature not only livestock and the rodeo events but also a wine show, a BBQ contest, live entertainment, and trail rides, to name a few!

Family Trip at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe Campground
Family Trip at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe Campground

Lions and tigers and bats, oh my! Nope, not a typo, we said “bats” referring to the roughly 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats that make their home in the city’s Waugh Drive Bridge. Viewing is free from the bridge, sidewalk and platform and there are special “Bat Chats” and bat boat tours (check out pwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/bats/bat-watching-sites/waugh-drive-bridge.phtml). As for the lions and tigers, head over to the Houston Zoo, which has over 6000 resident animals, and offers several animal encounters to get up close and personal!

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Cleansing Escapes for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

February comes from the word februa, meaning purification. Februa is derived from Februus, the god of purification. We thought it might be a good month to look into locations around this beautiful country that cleanse the spirit and will leave you with a positive outlook and a renewed sense of energy and peace.

Washington State – Mt. Adams: Native Americans believed that this mountain has spiritual energy and an energy vortex. Climbers and visitors to the mountain have said they have come away from the visit with a sense of peace. Book a glamping cabin or yurt at Thousand Trails Paradise in Silver Creek, and you’re less than an hour’s drive from Mt. Adams, which is one of five volcanoes in Washington’s Cascade Mountains.

Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow
Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow

They didn’t call it the Fountain of Youth for nothing. Did you know that St. Augustine, Florida, the alleged site of the alleged fountain that Ponce De Leon was looking for is considered a “hotbed of spiritual energy?” Book a stay at Encore Bulow and roam the streets of this historic town, feeling younger with every step.

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

Arizona – Sedona: Sedona’s spirituality comes from the many vortexes that are found here, seven of which are considered some of the most spiritual. Those include Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock which can be reached via a beautiful hike in the Red Rock State Park found here. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Verde Valley and cleanse your spirit in this beautiful Arizona desert.

Vacation Cottages at Thousand Trails Palm Springs
Vacation Cottages at Thousand Trails Palm Springs

It’s no surprise that California’s Joshua Tree National Park is on anyone’s list when it comes to spiritual quests. The Joshua tree itself is a symbol of faith, determination and spiritual growth so that tracks! Other reasons to head here for a spirit cleanse, is the awe-inspiring landscape and of course, the 18 known vortexes found here. Glamp at Thousand Trails Palm Springs to be near Joshua Tree National Park.

Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, California
Yurts at Thousand Trails Circle M, Pennsylvania

Yurts: An easy way to find a spiritual retreat is to book a stay in any one of our yurts, which you can find at our glamping locations in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin. In many cultures, yurts are considered spiritual, in part due to their circular shape, which is considered sacred geometry. The domed roof of the yurt is also considered as a nod to spiritually as it is said to be built in the shape of the Wheel of Dharma, which symbolizes the path to enlightenment.

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Celebrate Black History Month with a Visit to These Top Attractions

Black History Month, celebrated every February, evolved from Negro History Week, which was first observed in February 1926. It was created to recognize the triumphs and tribulations to the African American community throughout US history. There are many ways to support Black History Month from supporting Black owned businesses reading books by Black authors and learning about their history in our country. Here are some spots to check out as you travel:

The National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, which is considered the first and only museum of its kind, is one place to honor and celebrate the contributions of the African American community to our country’s music history. The amazing exhibits include Wade in the Water, which features the history of African American religious music from 1600 to present day and Crossroads, which examines how blues music came to be and how it influenced musical history. Plan your visit at https://www.nmaam.org/.

Nearest glamping location is the Natchez Trace Tiny House Village.

San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) is another location that celebrates Black culture through its contemporary art collection. MoAD’s Education Lab is a great place to get super creative through the multitude of materials available here. A special exhibit entitled “Love + Basketball” will run February 5 to March 2. Learn more about the exhibit at https://www.moadsf.org/.

Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch
Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch

Nearest glamping location is Pacific Dunes Ranch.

One of the most influential Black musicians in the history of rock and roll was Jimi Hendrix, a Seattle native, who has a special exhibit at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (https://www.mopop.org/). The exhibit, entitled “Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-70”, features rare interview clips and artifacts pertaining to Hendrix, who is widely considered the greatest guitarist in the history of popular music.

Cottage at Tall Chief Campground
Cottage at Tall Chief Campground

Nearest glamping location is Tall Chief Campground.

St. Augustine, Florida has two sites to recognize the contributions of African Americans to our history and those include Fort Mose Historic State Park (https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-mose-historic-state-park) which is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the country and Lincolnville, https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/lincolnville-neighborhood, which is St. Augustine’s historic African-American district featuring beautiful Victorian homes.

Nearest glamping location is Encore Bulow.

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, https://buffalosoldiersmuseum.org/, located in Houston, celebrates the history of the African Americans who proudly served in every American war, who were called Buffalo Soldiers due to their “combat prowess, bravery and tenaciousness.” Through several exhibits and plenty of artifacts, the story of these men, and women, who fought for the US is depicted. For information, visit buffalosoldiersmuseum.org.

Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday
Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday

Nearest glamping locations are Thousand Trails Lake Conroe or Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday.

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