Tag: acadia national park

See You Outside!

Great Outdoors Month turns 23 this month. It initially began as Great Outdoors Week, designated by President Bill Clinton in 1998, but continued to grow under each Administration and became Great Outdoors Month. So, you have to ask – haven’t we always celebrated our great outdoors? Or was it only after the advent of computers, video games, and cable and streaming services that serve as major forms of recreation, albeit indoors, that the call came to remind people to get outside?  

The premise behind Great Outdoors month is to remind Americans about the abundance of great outdoors that exist in our country as well as to re-educate them (or in some cases, educate) them about the importance of conservation and preserving our beautiful woodlands and waters. So, how do you celebrate Great Outdoors Month? Well, the whole month of June has specific days dedicated to outdoor activities, like National Trails Day (June 1); National Fishing and Boating Week (June 5-13) and the Great American Campout (June 26). We say, start with a glamping trip and go from there. Here are a few ideas:

Hiking:  While the events of National Trails Day have come and gone this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t take to the trails any other day this month. Hiking has been proven to improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, strengthen your core and improve your balance. It’s one of the greatest outdoor activities and requires the least amount of skill. You just walk – a lot! Rent one of the great new tiny homes at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village just outside Nashville and hike the Narrows of the Harpeth Trail – an easy 1.1-mile trail with great views of Tennessee’s Harpeth Valley. Another tiny house and trail is what you’ll find if you visit Oregon’s Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and tackle the nearby Salmon River Trailhead – tackle being the operative word here as it is 7.8 miles, yet still considered a moderate trail that winds through an old growth forest and has great views of the Salmon River.

Cottage at Marina Dunes in Marina, CA

Birding:  According to James Morgan of BirdwatchingBuzz, some the of the best summer birding spots can be found in Maine’s Acadia National Park; Pennsylvania’s Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and California’s Monterey Bay. Birding may seem like a somewhat sedentary activity but there are plenty of benefits – findings show that birding can benefit our overall well-being, mental health, and cognitive functioning. So, grab your binoculars and bird guides and plan a stay with us in a cabin at Mt. Desert Narrows in Maine, a glamping tent at Marina Dunes in California or a cozy cabin at Appalachian RV Campground in Pennsylvania and get into the birds! Maine birders can expect to see warblers, eagles, and puffins while Cali birders might spy a Black-footed Albatross, plenty of seabirds and hummingbirds, too. Visitors to PA’s Hawk Mountain Sanctuary can enjoy the birds as well as hiking trails and native gardens.

Cozy Cabin at Tranquil Timbers in Sturgeon Bay, WI

Fishing: Celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week by either learning to fish or adding to your collection of “fish stories.” We’ve got great accommodations near some of the best fishing locations, so grab your tackle box and gear, wish for some good luck, and drop a line. The waters that surround our cabins and yurts at Tranquil Timbers in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, are teeming with fish, including walleye, northern pike, trout, and bass. You’re bound to get lucky here so rent a yurt and fish away (don’t forget to check out the fishing license requirements). Or book a charter and let the pros show you how it’s done – for specific info, visit travelwisconsin.com/things-to-do/outdoor-fun/fishing. Do you remember the beauty of the fly-fishing scenes from the movie “A River Runs Through It”? Fly fishing not only gives you a total body workout thanks to all the wading, casting, and reeling it requires, but is also known to lower cortisol levels, which means you are de-stressing while wading, casting, and reeling! Head to Leavenworth, Washington, where some of the most scenic fly fishing can be found. Rent one of the great tiny houses at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village and try your hand at wading, casting, and reeling in nearby Fish Lake which is great for yellow perch and largemouth bass in summer.

And don’t forget to make sure to participate in the Great American Campout on June 26. We’ve got plenty of great glamping spots for you– check out www.PetiteRetreats.com for locations!

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Not your Average Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day has been traditionally celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday of May since 1914 but the tradition to honor Mothers dates to Ancient Greece. Here are a few things to think about when considering what to gift Mom with this year – Mother’s Day is the busiest day for restaurants; it’s the third highest selling holiday for plants and flowers; and more phone calls are made on this day than any other in the year. So, if you want your celebration to be like everyone else, by all means buy the flowers, book the restaurant, and give Mom a call. But, if you think your honoree is extra special and want the celebration to be unique, just like her, check out these options. And remember, whether you celebrate on May 9, or choose another day – these are all still good ideas!

Cabin at Spring Gulch in New Holland, PA.

Take in a Farmer’s Market: Plan a stay in an oh, so tranquil yurt at Tall Chief and head into Seattle to explore the iconic, and always entertaining, Pike Place Market. If you’re there during Mother’s Day Weekend, check out the Market’s 13th Annual Flower Festival that runs May 8-9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whether you book a cabin at Pennsylvania’s Appalachian or Spring Gulch, you’re about an hour’s drive from Philadelphia’s Headhouse Farmer’s Market which is open on Sundays and features 50 rotating vendors. Taking in Santa Barbara for a Mother’s Day holiday? Book your stay at Rancho Oso and then consider a Sunday drive down the sunny California coast to Santa Monica to explore the city’s Downtown Farmer’s Market that runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Waterfall in Portland Japanese Garden.

Walk Through a Garden: Reserve a charming tiny house at Oregon’s Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and then spend the day in nearby Portland taking in the views at the city’s Japanese Garden. Spread over 5.5 acres, the garden is serene and tranquil with several different gardens including the Tea Garden and the Natural Garden. For information and reservations for timed visits, go to japanesegarden.org. The Wild Gardens of Acadia can be found in Maine’s Acadia National Park and feature over 400 species of flowers, shrubs, trees and other plants native to the area. For more details visit acadiamagic.com. For the perfect accommodation when visiting Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, book a colorful cottage at Narrows Too in nearby Trenton.

Botanical gardens of Acadia National Park in Maine.

Get Active (sort of): Try an e-bike (pedal-assisted) and enjoy the scenery of Leavenworth, Washington. The Leavenworth Mountain Tour explores downtown Leavenworth as well as Icicle Creek Canyon and the historic Leavenworth Ski Hill. Visit bavarianebiketours.com for more details. Book one of the five tiny houses at Leavenworth Tiny House Village for your stay. Or try something a bit out of the ordinary, but very trendy, and take a goat yoga class. Check out Legacy Lane Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire, which offers goat yoga classes every Sunday, and also has a Country Home Store onsite that sells handmade lotions and soaps made from goat’s milk. To continue your Namaste kind of day, book a tiny house accommodation at Tuxbury Tiny House Village and relax after a day at the farm.

Tiny House Emerson at Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, NH.

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Women’s History Month

March is the month to celebrate the role of women in American history and their contributions. All around the country, there are heritage sites including monuments, homesteads, works of art, and more that represent these women and their efforts in all areas from nursing and politics to civil rights, women’s rights and in the arts. We’ve listed just a few here and whether you visit now or later, it’s never too late to honor the efforts of these women.

“Gettysburg Civil War Women-s Memorial – Elizabeth Masser Thorn 1” by Amaury Laporte is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

The Gettysburg Civil War Women’s Memorial: This seven-foot bronze sculpture of Elizabeth Thorn is located in Gettysburg’s Evergreen Cemetery. Thorn was six months pregnant at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg. Prior to the war, her husband was the caretaker of the cemetery but when he enlisted in the Union Army, the caretaking tasks fell to Elizabeth and her father. After the battle, the heavily pregnant Thorn buried 91 soldiers and 14 civilians killed in the siege.  The memorial is a tribute to all women who served, and suffered, due to the war.

Cozy cabin at Drummer Boy in Gettysburg, PA.

Stay with us in a cabin at Drummer Boy to explore Gettysburg and see the memorial.

Buildings by Julia Morgan: San Francisco native, Julia Morgan was the first woman to graduate UC Berkeley’s Civil Engineering program in 1894 and went on to become the first licensed woman architect in California. During her career, she designed more than 700 buildings throughout California, most notably Hearst Castle in San Simeon. For a listing of sites and locations of Morgan’s works, visit sf.curbed.com/maps/julia-morgan-buildings-best-sf.

“Sunset at Hearst Castle” by Trey Ratcliff is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Stay with us in a glamping tent at Marina Dunes and enjoy a ride up the California coast to see Morgan’s works in the San Francisco area or down the coast to tour Hearst’s Castle.

Glamping tent at Marina Dunes in Marina, CA.

National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum: According to their website, the museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring the women of the West. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the museum has archival footage as well as artifacts from these trailblazing women. Hall of Fame inductees include Sacagawea, Annie Oakley, Dale Evans, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. For information, visit cowgirl.net.

Stay with us in a cabin at Bay Landing in nearby Bridgeport while you explore the Cowgirl Museum.

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine: Why is a national park on the list of women’s history heritage sites? Because Beatrix Farrand, a noted landscape gardener, designed the carriage roads in this beautiful national treasure. Also, Farrand created the rock-walled reflections rooms at the garden at the College of the Atlantic in nearby Bar Harbor in 1928. Born in New York in 1872, Farrand preferred to be called a landscape architect. She also designed First Lady Gardens at the White House during the Wilson Administration.

Cozy cabins at Narrows Too RV Resort in Trenton, ME.

Stay at Mt. Desert Narrows or Narrows Too RV Resort while visiting Acadia NP.

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Fall Foliage Hikes

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon.

This fall, make it your goal to be an active leaf peeper. Yes, you heard that right. Leaf peeper – which by definition is someone who visits wooded areas in autumn to check out the changing colors of the foliage. Most everyone is a leaf peeper in some form or another. Maybe you don’t check websites for peak color dates or plan an annual trip around the changing colors but you most likely revel in the beautiful color show put on by Mother Nature and her children of the leafy kind come fall.

Now, we’re asking you to be an active leaf peeper, but we don’t mean just checking out the leaves. We think tossing in a hike – mild, moderate, strenuous, whatever a good hike means to you – while taking in this free, socially-distanced show is a great idea. These hikes are both good for your body and for your psyche.  We did some research and found some of the most popular fall foliage hikes around.

Silver Falls State Park (Silverton, Oregon): A moderate hike at almost 9 miles is well worth the effort as Silver Falls State Park offers hikers the opportunity to see waterfalls in addition to the gorgeous fall foliage. Ten waterfalls in fact, thus the name of the trail, Trail of Ten Falls, can be seen on this great fall hike.

(Plan a stay at one of the cozy cabins at nearby Pacific City while hiking Silver Falls.)

Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle, Washington): The Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle is possibly one of the best color shows contained in one location that you may find. In fact, according to the Arboretum’s website, fall in the Arboretum’s Woodland Garden section may possibly offer the most stunning display of fall colors in the region thanks to having one of the largest collection of Japanese maples in North America. All this beauty can be experienced on nearly one mile of winding stone pathways. How’s that for one-stop peeping? 

Japanese Garden at Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, Washington.

(A great idea is to book a tiny home at Leavenworth Tiny House Village and drive into Seattle. This is a two-fer since fall in Leavenworth is another spectacular show.)

Franconia Ridge Trail (Lincoln, New Hampshire): Waterfalls, a running stream, fantastic views, and plenty of fall foliage can be found on this New Hampshire trail. At just about eight miles and definitely a “hike,” the scenic rewards are plentiful. It’s no wonder this loop was named one of the 10 best hiking trails by National Geographic in 2017.

Tiny House Murphy at Tuxbury Tiny House Village

(Book a tiny home at nearby Tuxbury Tiny House Village for the perfect complement to your fall getaway.)

Potawatomi State Park (Door County, Wisconsin): Driving into Potawatomi State Park in the fall is almost a color show in itself. The contrast between the deep black of the roadway and the yellows and golds of the branches overhead is pretty cool, but wait there’s more! The trails are a carpet of beautifully colored fallen leaves and the views are some of fall’s best. Check out the portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that runs through the Park.

Tranquil Timbers in nearby Sturgeon Bay has the perfect cabin accommodations for your visit to Door County’s color-fall wonderland.

Ocean Path Trail, Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Maine): This trail, which stretches along the rugged Maine coastline, is postcard perfect in fall. With the rocky shores of the Atlantic on one side and the Acadia’s beautiful foliage on the other, it’s the perfect mix. Check out the fall leaves at Thunder Hole. Ocean Path is approximately 4.5 miles round trip.

Hiking in Acadia National Park

(Book a cozy cabin at Mt. Desert Narrows or choose from a cozy cottage or colorful cabin at Narrows Too for your fall foliage experience.)

Dog Days of August

Tiny house Riley at Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, NH • IG: nishatnguyen

The Dog Days of Summer typically refer to the weather this time of year, but if you ask your furry companion (yes, they have opinions!), they’ll let you know that to them it sounds more like Dog’s Days of Summer, or, in other words, take me with you wherever it is you’re going!

If you’re planning a trip, and also listening to your dog, here are few spots that are super pet friendly.

Sedona, Arizona

Settle into a pet friendly cabin or cottage at Sedona’s Verde Valley RV Campground and then explore the area with Fido in tow. Several trails in the area, including the Bell Rock Pathway and the Boynton Canyon Trail, allow leashed pets along on a hike. Many of the restaurants welcome pets and Creekside even has a special pet menu featuring items like a cheddar omelet with chicken jerky or steak tartare. More attractions for the pup include Sedona Dog Park, which separates off-leash areas into big and small dog areas, and Whiskers Bakery, which sells a wide variety treats and toys if your dog is into shopping. 

Cabin at Verde Valley RV Campground in Cottonwood, AZ

Key West, Florida

If there’s a place called Island Dogs Bar, whereas the name implies dogs are welcome, this has to be a pet-friendly vacation spot. Another pet-friendly attraction on the island is the Key West Aquarium where your leashed pup can tag along and see all the marine life exhibits. Higgs Beach has a dog park were pets can run off-leash. Plan to stay at Sunshine Key RV Resort where two of the vacation trailer rental accommodations are pet friendly and the resort welcomes pets, as well.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Not only can your pup ride the bus in Bar Harbor, they are also welcome at several area restaurants, including the famous Stewman’s Lobster Pound. To work off that fabulous lobster dinner, take a hike around Acadia National Park which has more than 120 trails and all are dog friendly.

View from North Bubble, in Acadia National Park, Maine.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle has a lot to offer in terms of pets – bus rides are offered and the city allows well behaved dogs to ride the bus (accompanied by their owner, of course!). Seattle also has over 10 off-leash dog parks and plenty of hiking trails that are friendly to pets. Check out Snow Lake Trail to get a short (6.4 miles) hike in with your leashed dog. Dogs are also welcome at the Washington Park Arboretum, a beautiful 230-acre public park (think free admission). Tall Chief RV Campground has a pet friendly cottage accommodation and the campground welcomes pets, as well.

Door County, Wisconsin

Fish Creek and Peninsula State Park in Door County, Wisconsin.

Everything that Door County is known for – hiking, beaches, and water sports are available to tourists of the four-legged variety, to some degree, as well. Plus, several restaurants allow your dogs, too. There’s even a list of doggy daycare facilities in case you want some time without your furry friend. Whitefish Dunes allows dogs on the beach and Peninsula State Park has pet friendly hiking trails. Finally, the Skyway Drive-In Movie Theater allows pets to take in a movie, provided they are in the car or on a leash. Tranquil Timbers RV Campground in nearby Sturgeon Bay has two pet friendly cabin accommodations and the campground welcomes pets.

Cozy Cabin at Tranquil Timbers RV Campground in Door County, Wisconsin.

June is Great Outdoors Month

Cabins at Yosemite Lakes Campground in Groveland, CA

In 1998, President Bill Clinton declared that seven days in the month of June should be set aside to “celebrate our relationship with nature.” That concept resonated so soundly with Americans that successive administrations morphed those seven days into a whole month of celebrating and communing with nature.

June is upon us again and we probably all feel the need to get outside and commune! So, whether you hike, bike, fish, boat or just plain sit in it, get outside, breath the air, and become one with nature.

June in the great outdoors can include:

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR

Hiking: Hiking doesn’t really require much equipment or any particular level of skill – just some strong legs and lungs, and you’ve got it. Trails abound around the country and we’ve found a few you places you might like to hike. Yosemite National Park has 800 miles of trails to choose from and the scenery is unparalleled! Enjoy the alpine hikes of Mt. Hood, Oregon’s 11,240-foot volcano – two popular hikes are the Tamanawas Falls Trail and the Old Salmon River Trail. Then, relax after a long day on the trails in one of our yurt accommodations at Yosemite Lakes Campground (CA) or Mt. Hood Village (OR).

Cottages in Palm Springs RV Resort in Palm Desert, CA

Biking: Take a seat and use pedal power to enjoy the great outdoors on a bike ride. Some great rides could include the 13-mile city-wide tour of Palm Springs, California, which gives you an idea what the town is all about. Or, pedal around Maine’s Acadia National Park on the 45 miles of carriage roads or the 27-mile Park Loop Road. Add to the fun of your great outdoors experience with a stay in a cute cottage at Narrows Too (ME) or Palm Springs RV Resort (CA).

Cabins at Tranquil Timbers in Sturgeon Bay, WI

Fishing: Reel in the big one during Great Outdoors Month.  Try your luck with some deep-sea fishing in the Florida Keys or see what’s biting in the waters of Wisconsin’s Door County. Our cozy cabins at Tranquil Timbers (WI) or a colorful cottage or tiny house in the Keys can serve as your “fishing lodge” while you write your big fish story!

Fishing at Pacific City in Cloverdale, OR

Taking in the View: Sometimes it’s enough to just be outdoors to enjoy the view, the fresh air, and the magic of nature. Take in the sunsets from Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf; feel the effects of the healing vortexes in Sedona’s Red Rock State Park; enjoy the charm of Leavenworth, Washington, a quaint-as-can-be Bavarian-styled village or marvel at Haystack Rock, nature’s sea stack creation that rises 235 from the Pacific Ocean at Cannon Beach, Oregon. You can also enjoy the view from our cozy cabins in Santa Barbara (Rancho Oso) or Oregon (Pacific City), or from our adorable tiny homes in Leavenworth, Washington, or Sedona’s Verde Valley Resort.

Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, WA

Camping: Of course, there is no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than with a good camping trip. Writer Alice Walker said, “In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect.” Find your perfection and stay with us in one of our Petite Retreats. If you want mountains, we’ve got you covered with locations near Seattle, Maine’s Acadia National Park, beautiful Mt. Hood, and the Adirondacks. If you want seashore, we’ve got you covered with locations in Santa Barbara, the Oregon coast, New Hampshire, and Florida. And if your “perfect” is just gathering friends and family in the great outdoors, we’ve definitely got you covered there!

Glamping – It’s all the Rage!

Yurt • Circle M RV & Camping Resort

It may have become official when the word was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2018, but “glamping” has quietly become quite trendy over the past several years. The word itself it’s a combination, or portmanteau, if you will, of glamour and camping. The concept is simple, combine luxury amenities and accommodations with the outdoor activity of camping, and voila, you’re glamping.

But why has it become such a big thing in the last few years?  Simply put, American’s are looking to combine two of their favorite things – relaxing, and being outdoors with the caveat of making it less stressful when it comes to the accommodations part. No more making sure you arrive before dark so you can see all the tent poles, or waking up with an aching back which may wreak havoc on daytime activities like hiking and canoeing. According to a market research study done by Arizton, the glamping market will reach roughly $1 billion by 2024 in the U.S. Glamping is here to stay!

Glamping certainly amps up an outdoor experience in many ways. Accommodations for glamping are designed to give you the maximum amount of luxury, while staying true to the concept of communing with nature. What today’s glamper is looking for is camping amenities that include unique and quality sleeping options, onsite private kitchens and bathrooms, and a location that is near major attractions but still provides that “off the beaten path” feeling, while not sacrificing resort amenities and facilities.

Yurt Yosemite Lakes Groveland, CA

Of course, whether your camp or glamp, the benefits are still the same. The reduction in stress levels when you go off grid and spend time outside is tremendous.

So, how do you glamp?

First off, unique accommodations such as yurts, cabins, teepees and tiny houses are considered glamping accommodations. Yurts are spacious, and typically can accommodate queen-sized beds, bathroom suites with showers and kitchenettes. Similarly, cabins provide ample space for more luxurious amenities and plenty of space to relax and enjoy your camping company. Teepees are unique, and well, just plain cool. As for the tiny houses, these little darlings are so well-appointed they feel just like home.

Location is also a factor for your outdoor foray to be considered glamping. To be glamping-worthy, your campground should have clean, accessible bathrooms (if your accommodations do not provide private bathrooms), electric hook-ups, onsite amenities like pools and laundry rooms and should be pet-friendly (after all, if you’re a pet-lover, you wouldn’t consider adventuring without your four-legged bestie along for the ride.) Access to recreation should also be available, whether at the location or nearby.

Horses RanchoOso Photo By JulieVader

Some Petite Retreats glamping locations to consider would include:

Yosemite Lakes (Groveland, CA) – Check off access to recreation with Yosemite National Park just up the road, and the campground is pet friendly. As for accommodations, check out the yurts here.

Rancho Oso – The scenery surrounding the campground, which includes Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Ynez River, provides relaxing vibes, while the teepees are ultra-cool for bedding down after a day spent horseback riding or hiking. And yes, pets are welcome.

Mt. Desert Narrows (Bar Harbor, ME) – The rugged east coast location, proximity to Acadia National Park, the cozy cabin accommodations, and the pet friendly attitude make this campground a glamping possibility.

Other items that can make you a glamper include interesting menu items other than traditional camping fare that can be created over your campfire or camp kitchen, fun cocktails, or mocktails, to relax after the day’s events, cozy blankets and chairs to relax in, and aromatics or incense to keep things smelling fresh!

Sunset • Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort

Check out other Petite Retreat locations and get your first glamping experience under your belt. You don’t want to be left out in the cold on this trend!

Your Best Fall Self(ie)

New season, new reason to be your best self ever, but don’t look here for tips on doing that. Instead, we’re going to give you some ideas for your best fall selfie – that is, where to go to get the best backdrop for the perfect post, selfie-style.

Your Best Fall Self(ie)

  1. Cloud Gate, Chicago, IL: Fall in the Midwest is certainly a colorful adventure, so if you happen to be enjoying the Lake Michigan Circle Tour (a road trip that will take you through Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin) make a detour to the Windy City and take a perfect selfie at the Cloud Gate sculpture, also knowns as the Bean, in Chicago’s Millennium Park.

    Arrowhead RV Campground | Wisconsin Dells, WI
    Arrowhead RV Campground | Wisconsin Dells, WI
  2. Hawk Hill, San Francisco, CA: From September through November, this location outside of San Francisco is the best place to view the raptor migration on a clear day and a perfect spot for a selfie with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the background. An added bonus – your furry friend, provided they’re leashed, can also join you in the pic.

    Golden Gate Bridge | San Francisco, CA
    Golden Gate Bridge | San Francisco, CA
  3. Covered Bridge Festival, Rockville, IN:  The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival is scheduled this year for October 12th through the 21st, and the 31 historic covered bridges of Parke County provide the perfect selfie backdrop.
  4. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, FL: Take in the breathtaking beauty of the grounds and gardens before the snowbirds arrive and picture yourself (literally) in the opulence of this Italian Renaissance mansion, which was once the winter home of industrialist James Deering.  There’s fountains, statuary, sculpture, orchids (Deering’s favorite) and views of Biscayne Bay that will serve as ideal backdrops for the perfect selfie.
  5. Texas State Fair, Dallas, TX: There are plenty of selfie opportunities at a state fair, but the Texas State Fair is the only place you can take your picture with Big Tex in the background. This 55-foot mechanical cowboy is the perfect companion for your State Fair selfie. Other iconic State Fair selfie companions can include baby livestock and the neon Midway sign.

    Bay Landing RV Campground | Bridgeport, TX
    Bay Landing RV Campground | Bridgeport, TX
  6. Lake Wenatchee, Leavenworth, WA:  The reflection of the fall colors against the 489-acre lake is said to be simply spectacular.  With 12,000 feet of waterfront views, there are plenty of selfie opportunities among this fall color show. To boot, the charming town of Leavenworth hosts an Autumn Leaf Festival from September 29-30, which will provide even more selfie moments.

    Leavenworth Tiny House Village | Leavenworth, WA
    Leavenworth Tiny House Village | Leavenworth, WA
  7. New England Fall Foliage: Numerous photo ops await any leaf-peeper as they make their way through the gorgeous fall color display that is New England in autumn.  Maine’s quaint Bar Harbor and the adjacent Acadia National Park are the personifications of fall colors as is New Hampshire’s South Hampton thanks to its proximity to the White Mountain Forest. Sorry, even without you in the picture, fall color shots are a must-have!

    Tuxbury Tiny House Village | South Hampton, NH
    Tuxbury Tiny House Village | South Hampton, NH

Get colorful and creative with your selfies when you stay in a Petite Retreat this fall!

An East Coast Adventure from Petite Retreats!

Thinking about an East Coast adventure? Planning to take a few selfies with a rugged coastline or towering pine trees as your backdrop? We’ve got the perfect trip if you’re planning to head east! Autumn is just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to visit the East Coast catch those beautiful fall colors bursting from the trees and breath in the crisp air.

Start your trip off in Bar Harbor, Maine where you have your choice of several locations for a Petite Retreat. Both Mt. Desert Narrows and Narrows Too offer cozy cabins which provide the perfect setting for a New England retreat. Both locations are conveniently located just 20 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor and only 10 minutes from Acadia National Park.

Narrows Too RV Campground, Trenton, ME

Enjoy Acadia’s Night Sky Festival which runs from September 5 to September 9 at Acadia National Park. Five days of events in the area include a Star Party on Cadillac Mountain and a Bioluminescent Night Paddle, plus live music, poetry readings, and plenty of stargazing events. Mt. Desert Narrows RV Resort practically sits next to Acadia National Park, so it is the perfect destination if this is your go-to event for this area. Narrows Too RV Resort is just a short drive from Acadia National Park, as well!

Acadia Night Sky Festival, Sept. 5-9, 2018, Acadia National Park

The town of Bar Harbor always has something going on from sunup to sundown – there’s yoga by the bay, maritime history walks, concerts on the Green, and evening ghost tours. 

To capture those perfect New England selfies, take a stroll along Shore Path, a half-mile trek along a man-made seawall that provides scenic ocean views. 

Waves crash against the shore at Acadia National Park

Drive south from Bar Harbor and in a little over four hours you’ll be in South Hampton, New Hampshire – home to Tuxbury Pond RV Resort and their super adorable tiny houses. These five tiny houses, Emerson, Henry, Clara, Riley, and Murphy, offer a unique home base while you enjoy your New England experience. Tuxbury Pond RV Resort is aptly named as it is situated on the shores of tranquil Tuxbury Pond, which straddles the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border. Tuxbury Pond also offers cozy cabins as well as tent camping and RV sites.

Tuxbury Tiny House Village, South Hampton, NH

The quaint towns of North and South Hampton offer unique shopping opportunities and South Hampton is home to Jewell Towne Vineyards, New Hampshire’s oldest vineyard that offers tastings and tours. The 17th Annual Newburyport Riverfront Music Festival, scheduled for September 1, is free, open to the public, and less than ten miles from Tuxbury Pond! There are also plenty of beaches in the area so you can get in your last summer hurrah in the sand. Check out hamptonbeach.org for a listing of beaches.

Also, don’t forget the fall colors appear earlier in New England so if you plan your trip just right, you will take away memories of one of nature’s most spectacular art shows! More selfies, please!

Visit New England and stay with Petite Retreats! Book your stay now.

 

Summer Cabin Fun

Cabin at South Jetty, Florence, OR

There’s something about a rustic cabin that brings you closer to nature, along with evoking memories of carefree summer camp days gone by. Make it a summer you won’t forget, and experience the joys of nature, by planning a stay in a Petite Retreat cabin.

Enjoy an island getaway in Bar Harbor which is located on Mt. Desert Island in Maine. Both Mt. Desert Narrows Camping Resort (in Bar Harbor) and Narrows Too Camping Resort (in nearby Trenton) offer summer cabins perfect for your island stay. Both offer wooded locations with views of the oceans, plenty of amenities and are family and pet-friendly. Both camping resorts are close to all that the Bar Harbor area has to offer, including the harbor towns and Acadia National Park.

Narrows Too Camping Resort, Trenton, ME

Acadia National Park offers 47,000 acres of woodland wonderland to explore from hikes and climbs to rocky beachfronts. This park is also home to Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the East Coast.  The park offers guided hikes, cruises, and nature programs including birding and creature “meet and greets.” Visit nps.gov/acad for more information.

The town of Bar Harbor offers shopping and dining as well as events on the “Village Green” which serves as the gathering place in the center of town. Summer weeknight concerts are offered free each Monday and Thursday evening from 8 to 9 p.m.  There are also several museums that feature the history of the area including the Great Harbor Maritime Museum and Mount Desert Oceanarium. Ocean cruise options include whale-watching, island tours and a chance to learn about the life of a lobsterman on the Lulu Lobsterboat Ride. Speaking of lobster, don’t miss a lobster meal at Stewman’s Lobster Pound, an authentic oceanfront lobster pound.

On the Pacific Coast, Oregon offers multiple cabin retreats, including Seaside RV Resort, South Jetty RV Resort, and Mt. Hood Village RV Resort.

Mt. Hood’s location provides the perfect opportunity for a mountain getaway and the chance to explore Mt. Hood National Forest. Spend the day hiking the trails that include Tamanawas Falls, a five-mile loop along the Hood River complete with waterfall views or the longer Timothy Lake trail that covers 13 miles and offers plenty of swimming spots along the way to cool off! Spend the day fishing or taking in one of several birding trails to see the migratory birds that make their home in the forest.  Nearby Portland offers big city fun including the Portland Art Museum (current exhibits include Art from the 1980s, running through August 18) and the Oregon Zoo, which features a set of summer concerts (oregonzoo.org).

Mt. Hood forest trail

Enjoy a cabin stay at Seaside RV Resort and enjoy the town of Seaside’s picturesque 1.5 mile oceanfront Promenade via bicycle or a long stroll.  Or get up close and personal and feed the seals at the Seaside Aquarium, also located along the Promenade. Roll into town the weekend of September 6-9 and enjoy the Seaside Wheels and Waves Car Show, Oregon’s premier auto show that showcases cars dating from pre-1965.

Wherever you choose to stay, Petite Retreats has cabins for you! Find out more at petiteretreats.com.