Tag: rail bike adventure

Granny Summer with your Gals

If you’re planning your annual girls trip this summer, keep in mind the trending vibe is Granny Summer (“GS”). What exactly is Granny Summer? In a nutshell, it involves low-stress, slow-paced experiences with an emphasis on cozy and comfortable. Think a tiny house glamping getaway with a side of relaxing activities. Or a cozy cabin or cottage, glamping in the fresh air and taking in anything but the major tourist attractions in the area. Here are some ideas to get the Granny Summer you and your besties deserve: 

A visit to the local farmers market checks all the boxes for a GS activity because it wraps up everything we need into one tasty package – connection to people, connection to the earth and connection to delicious homegrown fruits and veggies, among other things found at some of the best farmers markets around which include: Wisconsin’s Dane County Farmers Market, which is held every Saturday in the state capital, Madison and nearby to our Blackhawk Camping Resort glamping location (book a cabin or cottage). Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, one of the oldest continuously operated public markets, is a must-do when experiencing our cool yurt accommodations at Thousand Trails Thunderbird. What a perfect combo for GS trip!  Another mix of idyllic glamping and a farmers market visit would be the Lancaster Central Market, located in beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch Country, along with a cozy cabin accommodation at Spring Gulch Resort Campground.

Lakeside cabin at Blackhawk Camping Resort
Lakeside cabin at Blackhawk Camping Resort

There are two adages that fit perfectly with the current trends of thrifting and antiquing – the first is “everything old is new again” and the second, more eco-conscious, is “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Combining the nostalgia of “remember when” with the earthy-friendly mantra of “keep it out of the landfill,” these two activities are perfect for a slow paced, purpose-filled GS activity. Cannery Row Antique Mall in Monterey covers 21,000 square feet, is highly rated among those in search of the perfect vintage find and is located in an historic canning warehouse (book a stay at Marina Dunes RV Resort). The Brimfield Antique Market in Brimfield, Massachusetts is one of the most popular of its kind and is held several times a year – mark you calendar for July 14-19 and September 8-13, which are the remaining dates this year for the flea market, but note that Brimfield is also a prime spot year-round if you’re treasure hunting as the Brimfield Antique Center is open year-round and the nearby town of Sturbridge (where you can book a cozy glamping cottage at Thousand Trails Sturbridge) is home to several antique shops. 

Marina Dunes Cottage
Glamping cottage at Marina Dunes RV Resort

BTW, Granny Summer and Coastal Granny are considered to be one and the same when it comes to the vibe, so consider a GS glamping getaway to some of our best coastal locations which include: our Tuxbury Tiny House Village in New Hampshire nearby to the beaches of Salsbury-Hampton; Narrows Too Camping Resort in Maine’s ultra-quaint Bar Harbor, Thousand Trails Seaside, located just steps from Oregon’s Cannon Beach or Washington’s Long Beach peninsula with a stay at Thousand Trails Long Beach.

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5 Things to Do in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Area

First of all, happy birthday to our Mt. Hood Tiny House Village which are turning 10 this year! Book a tiny house stay and explore this amazing area of Oregon, considered one of America’s best outdoor playgrounds, and help celebrate our tinies as well as experience some of the best things to do in the area, which include:  

  1. Hood Country Fruit Loop: What a better time to explore this 35-mile agricultural loop that winds through farm stands, orchards, wineries and u-pick locations than summertime. Want some cherries – stop at Hood River Cherry Company. If you’re interested in a cider flight at an historic 1908 Dutch Colonial farmhouse, don’t miss The Gorge White House. Love lavender? There are several lavender farms on the route, including Hood River Lavender Farms. For a spectacular view, check out Panorama Point County Park with views of Mt. Hood. Visit hoodriverfruitloop.com for details.  
  1. Trillium Lake: Speaking of Mt. Hood, a visit to Trillium Lake is the best place to get views, and spectacular pics, of Mt. Hood. Plus, you can kayak, paddleboard, fish for trout, bike ride the 2-mile Loop Trail and just marvel at the reflection of the mountain on the lake’s surface – now that’s a perfect picture! 
  1. The Flowers: Look up when you’re here and you’ll see an amazing view of Mt. Hood! Look around when you’re here and you will see flowers, flowers, and more flowers. Mid-July through August is wildflower season and some of the best can be seen in the Mirror Lake Loop hike in Mt. Hood National Forest while the Umbrella Falls Loop at Mt. Hood Meadows promises wildflowers and waterfalls! Visit the historic Timberline Lodge and make note of the beautiful meadows surrounding the area that contain a plethora of wildflowers including lupine, paintbrush, spreading phlox and monkeyflower. Come August, sunflowers abound and one of the best places take pics among them are Packer Orchards (packerorchards.com).  
  1. Shut Your Mouth!: We’re not being rude, we’re just telling you that when you visit Silent Rock, which is located on Highway 26, you have to be absolutely silent. Legend has it that to avoid misfortune in the mountains, you must maintain silence when near Silent Rock. That means turning off the radio, silencing your cell phones, and piping down. Whether you believe it or not, silence sometimes can be golden. Silent Rock is located between the villages of Rhododendron and Government Camp. 
  1. Something Different: Yes, you can hike, bike, swim, fish and canoe and more here, but have you considered these alternative activities to see the area: Hop aboard a two-person rail bike where you can pedal the rails while taking in the scenery (mthoodrr.com/railbikes) ;or the unique and thrilling ways to view from above at the Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl which includes the Tree Top Bridge Tour or an exhilarating zipline option. Check out skibowl.com for info. 

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