Tag: Jamestown

4 Great Small Town, Fall Towns

There’s something about a vacation in fall that is just a bit extra – the crowds are gone, it’s OK to spend some time inside since your summer tan has come and probably gone and the fall colors are an attraction in themselves. Add a bit more to the magic by enjoying some small-town charm when glamping this fall.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes
Cabin at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes

Temecula, California: Pick a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes in Menifee and you’re less than 20 miles from Temecula – a tiny town with a chill vibe that has been named one of the most charming small towns in Southern California. Temecula is located in California’s South Coast Wine Region and there are more than 40 wineries here. Check out Briar Rose Winery, where the buildings are replicas of Snow White’s cottage or Longshadow Ranch Vineyards and Winery with a true old west feeling and cozy bonfires every Saturday night through November 18. Old Town Temecula is a perfect mix of old and new with antique stores, boutiques, craft breweries, and plenty of places to enjoy a bite to eat.

California’s Yosemite Area: While this part of California is best known for the magnificent National Park found here – we’re talking about Yosemite National Park – there are also several charming small towns that can serve as side trips when visiting here. First things first, book one of the fantastic glamping accommodations at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, which include yurts and cabins. Once you’re settled in, take in the beauty of your location during autumn and the charm of the surrounding towns. Sonora, a historic Gold Rush town, is home to the Indigeny Reserve which has the perfect fall offerings of hard apple cider and apple brandy tastings. For a beautiful fall hike, check out the Dragoon Gulch Trail, a 1.2-mile (moderate) loop. Jamestown, another Gold Rush town, is also worth a visit. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is good for a look at historic steam trains as well as some Hollywood history. And, the town has several wine tasting rooms as well as a craft brewery. You can also pan for gold, shop, and stroll the Walk of Fame to see which Jamestown locations have been featured in movies and television.

Cabins at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South
Cabins at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South

Milford, Pennsylvania: The perfect mountain town to visit during fall, Milford is located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Plan a glamping stay in a comfy cottage at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South and take in this picturesque small town. The Black Bear Film Festival is set for October 13-15 and includes a weekend full of indies and short films. Want to see Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall? That would be Raymondskill Falls, found in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is also a great spot for biking and hiking, plus some pretty great leaf-peeping. For some interesting history, visit Grey Towers National Historic Site, which was the home of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the US Forest Service. Visitors can tour the mansion and the grounds of this estate that was completed in 1886. Milford also offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

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

Virginia’s River Realm: Dotted with charming small towns, Virginia’s River Realm is the area where the Rappahannock River meets the Chesapeake Bay. It is all about the simpler life and a trip here in fall promises to be a pleasant glamping getaway. Book a cottage stay at Grey’s Point Camp in Topping and let the fun begin. The Holly Point Art & Seafood Festival is set for October 15 in Deltaville and offers seafood, live music and unique artwork from 60 different vendors and the always-popular annual Urbanna Oyster Festival is scheduled for November 3 and promises all things oyster! Shopping in Kilmarnock is an option with several boutiques and antique stores while Deltaville has a maritime museum and the beautiful Holly Point Nature Park with walking trails and kayaking opportunities. Several towns have regular farmer’s markets, and they include Irvington, Kilmarnock, and Deltaville while Urbanna has a spectacular seafood market. To learn more about the River Realm and its charming towns, check out virginiasriverrealm.com.

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5 Things to Do in the Chesapeake Bay Area

If you plan on spending time in Virginia, don’t miss the area known as the Middle Peninsula – which is located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay. The landmass that makes up the Middle Peninsula sits between two rivers – the Rappahannock and the York. So, with two rivers and a large bay you can expect that water adventures are big here. But there is also so much more to this charming, historic, and picturesque area of Virginia. Glamping options here include a variety of cabins, several of which are pet-friendly, at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay in Gloucester or the charming cottages at Bethpage Camp-Resort in Urbanna.

  1. On the Water: We’ll start with water adventures and there are a variety of ways to enjoy the rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. If you want to canoe or kayak, consider the Gloucester Blueways, which is a system of five water trails throughout Gloucester County. Paddling these water trails is a terrific way to see the wildlife in the area which includes terrapin turtles and tundra swans (at Maundy Creek), white-tailed deer and great blue herons at Ware House Landing, or the possibility of a bald eagle sighting while paddling John’s Point. For details on the Gloucester Blueways visit virginiawatertrails.org.

  2. History Tours: Rosewell Ruins are the remains of the vast estate owned by the Page family dating back to 1725. In 1916, a fire all but destroyed everything, however the shell of the home remains and was donated to the Gloucester Historical Society in 1979. Visitors can see the remains of the structure as well as see exhibits and artifacts in the Visitors Center (rosewell.org). Gloucester County has several museums and historic sites which can be seen on self-guided walking or driving tours. For maps and details, visit gloucesterva.info/1405/historic-walking-drive-tours.

  3. To the North and South: If it’s called the Middle Peninsula, then what’s above and below, you may wonder? To the north of the Middle Peninsula is the Northern Neck and to the south is what is known as the Virginia Peninsula (actually all three of the peninsulas are referred to as “necks” in Virginia). If you want to visit the Northern Neck here’s what’s what: there are several wineries, the George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Stratford Hall (a National Historic Landmark and the home of the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence, Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee), the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum, and Westmoreland State Park, which is great for fossil finding. The Virginia Peninsula is home to what is known as the Historic Triangle which contains historic Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown Battlefield. Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse are also here.

  4. Oysters, anyone? A trip to this part of Virginia pretty much requires a brief education on all things oyster. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Oyster Seed Holdings (oshoyster.com) offers tours and tastings every other Friday at their facility on Gwynn’s Island. Check out virginiaoystertrail.com for more oyster-related events and fun including oyster tasting tours and oyster charters. And definitely make a reservation to return to Bethpage to glamp in November to enjoy the Urbanna Oyster Festival. The 66th annual event will be held November 3-4, 2023, and promises plenty of fun with an oyster-shucking contest, the Oyster Festival Parade, plus oyster cuisine of all kinds including roasted oysters, Oyster Rockefeller, and fried, stewed, and raw oysters.

  5. Hit the Beach: A little over an hour’s drive from the Middle Peninsula is Virginia Beach, which is located on the Virginia Peninsula. Beyond the 30+ miles of shoreline, Virginia Beach attractions can include the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center; Mount Trashmore, which is actually a repurposed landfill that resulted in the nation’s first landfill park; and the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Beachside you can stroll the 3-mile boardwalk and have a bite to eat or enjoy a cocktail. Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a selfie with the 26-foot tall statue of King Neptune.
Vacation Cottage at Bethpage Camp-Resort
Vacation Cottage at Bethpage Camp-Resort

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5 Things to Do In and Around Yosemite National Park

So do we mean five things to do in the magnificent national park itself, or the surrounding area outside Yosemite? Actually, a little bit of both. We’ve highlighted some great stuff not to be missed inside the park and some other pretty cool stuff not to be missed around the area.

Yurt at Yosemite Lakes
Yurt at Yosemite Lakes

Speaking of cool, are you aware of how cool the glamping accommodations are at Yosemite Lakes, which is pretty much up the block from Yosemite National Park (about 5 minutes from the entrance)? Glamping accommodations at this great location in Groveland can include cabins, cottages, and yurts. Choose whichever suits your glamping needs best and get ready to explore this beautiful area of California.

  1. Yosemite National Park: Of course, there are the must-sees like Half Dome, El Capitan, and the waterfalls (there are more than 25), but there are also some lesser known, but just as amazing, things to see and do here. Consider a visit to the Yosemite Museum, the first of its kind built inside a National Park. The museum showcases the cultural heritage of the Ahwahnechee people. Cooks Meadow is a great way to see the beauty of the park and the neat thing is that the trail is very friendly for wheelchairs, strollers, and the less-seasoned hiker. Cooks Meadow has a 2-mile loop trail and the average time to complete it is under 40 minutes. The Ansel Adams Gallery is another place not to miss – his stunning photos of the park are world-famous. In addition to works of Adam’s, the gallery also has books, handicrafts, and Native American jewelry.

  2. Wine Roads and Trails: Visit yosemitesierrawineroad.com to download a map of boutique wineries to visit on this route that traverses the backroads of Yosemite. Another option is to travel the Madera Wine Trail, located in one of California’s most famous growing regions – check out themaderawinetrail.com for a downloadable map.

  3. Visit Jamestown: Jamestown is an old mining town about 30 minutes from Yosemite Lakes and the spot where gold was first discovered in Tuolumne County in the 1848 by James Woods. The town became known as the Gateway to the Mother Lode. There are several antique shops and eateries, plus you can pan for gold here (gold-panning-california.com).

  4. Ride the Steam Train: A ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a great way to see the Sierra National Forest. Climb aboard and have a seat in the open-air cars and enjoy the scenery. Several options for rides are available, including the Moonlight Special that includes dinner and entertainment. During the summer months, the train hosts the Yosemite Jazz Trail, which features a steam train ride ending with “unplugged” performances by various jazz artists every Saturday. For information visit ymsprr.com.

  5. If you’re planning a November trip to the area, check out the Pomegranate, Fruit, and Nut Festival that of course showcases, pomegranates, fruits, and nuts (this is an annual event each November so you can plan ahead, too). This year’s event is set for Saturday, November 5, and promises cooking demonstrations, educational seminars, and fun facts about the pomegranate (pomegranatefestival.com). Make note that Yosemite also hosts holiday dinners and events within the Park through the holiday season that include a Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas Day brunch, and a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes
Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes

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