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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Smile for the Holidays

This may be the year that you see an influx of holiday cards, specifically the photo kind, because the friends and family you may see regularly throughout the year, may not have seen you in at least six months! #2020 Those cards will bring a smile to many faces, so make sure that your photo is spectacular. Check out these photo-worthy spots for Holiday 2020 cards!

Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, WA

Leavenworth, Washington: While just about everywhere in Leavenworth is worthy of a photo, the opportunity to pose with a real live reindeer just may be the key here. Head to the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm for a holiday pic that will let your friends and family see who the holiday VIPS are! For details check out leavenworthreindeer.com. Another option is to have a traditional holiday character front and center in your photo – Karl, the mascot of Leavenworth’s Nutcracker Museum, stands ready and waiting for any and all photo ops (nutcrackermuseum.com). And sadly, while the annual Christmas Lighting Festival has been cancelled for this year, Leavenworth will still shine. The plans for the installation of more than 50,000 sparkling lights are still a go and what a backdrop for any holiday photo they will make!

Book a tiny house at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village while you create your 2020 holiday masterpiece.

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

Santa Barbara, California: Let the Chromatic Gate provide the perfect frame for your holiday photo. Take a trip to the city’s Cabrillo Park and this multi-colored art installation by famed artist Herbert Bayer sets up the shot perfectly. Or, wish everyone luck in the new year with a photo of the gang (or just a selfie!) outside the Lucky Penny restaurant – the exterior wall is literally thousands of pennies! While you’re here, enjoy a slice of pizza! One last option that may bring on the figgy pudding comments – check out what is believed to be the largest fig tree in the U.S. The Moreton Bay Fig Tree, located at Chapala and Montecito Streets, has a circumference of 486 inches and is believed to have been planted over 140 years ago.

Prep for your photo ops while staying in one of our unique rentals at Rancho Oso.

Cathedral Rock near Sedona, Arizona

Sedona, Arizona: After a crazy year like 2020, you may want to convey healing vibes to friends and family in your holiday message. Choose one of the spectacular rock formations like Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock in Sedona’s Red Rock State Park to send season’s greeting with a healthy dose of good vibrations from these vortexes. Have your pic taken while on horseback and sign up for one of the scenic rides from Wild Western Horseback Adventures (wildwesternhorseback.com) that takes you through the Verde Valley itself. How about an ancient pueblo in the background of your photo? Explore the ruins of a Sinagua pueblo at Tuzigoot National Monument which is part of the National Park Service.

Tuzigoot National Monument near Verde Valley in Cottonwood, AZ.

Relax and recharge while staying in a cozy cabin or tiny house at Verde Valley.

Florida Keys: Send warm wishes of the Florida kind and take a pic with Key West’s iconic landmark, the Southernmost Point Buoy. Add a palm tree to the shot by heading to Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key or send your “deer-est” wishes by snapping some pics while visiting the National Key Deer Refuge National Center, also located on Big Pine Key. As always, the beaches of the Keys are great for building snowmen of the sand variety to appear in your shot and who can’t resist a beautiful sunset or brightly colored tiny house as a backdrop?

Rent a colorful tiny home from Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or a colorful cottage at Fiesta Key while you explore the Keys for the best holiday photo shoot!

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