Wilderness Accommodations

It has been proven that vacations are healthy. Not only do they reduce stress, increase physical activity and stimulate the mind, they improve worker productivity. Studies show that a healthy vacation is at least 1 week long (2 weeks is even better). A totally different environment is another key ingredient for an effective vacation. And, of course, a healthy balance of eating and exercise (and absence of work) are always appreciated by the body. A vacation resort is a great way to guarantee a healthy vacation.

Vacation resorts typically book in 1-week blocks, usually Saturday thru Saturday. Linking 2 weeks allows for 12 days of uninterrupted holiday. Much can be accomplished in 2 weeks, or even in 1 week. You can learn to ski or snowboard, become a skilled mountain biker or get certified and comfortable with scuba diving. At the same time, at a vacation resort, all of your needs will be taken care of, from lodging to dining, transportation to communication with the outside world. Spa and massage services will be at your fingertips.

A vacation resort in a totally different environment form your normal life is stimulating to the brain. It is healthy to get out of your comfort zone in a safe way. So if you live in the city, in a cold climate, go someplace warm and quiet. If you really need a vacation, then choose a place where they speak a different language. That will stimulate the senses!

It is easy to make healthy choices at a vacation resort. Good food will be available, and exercise will be a part of your daily routine. Although it will be tempting to check in with the office, it is better not to be thinking about work. Plan ahead for someone to cover for you. Set it up so that you are accessible in a real emergency, but other wise you are on vacation and are not to be bothered.

If you want to be healthy, happy, and effective at your job (and who doesn’t), be sure and book a week or 2 each year at a vacation resort.

Most of us aren’t fortunate enough to live by the beach. The coveted coastlines of the world are a limited resource, especially those locations where the beach is accessible, the water is warm, and the sun is shining. Perhaps this is why beach resorts are so popular and successful. If you are considering a vacation, a beach resort offers a fantastic experience.

Imagine waking up in the morning with a salty-sweet breeze wafting through an open window. Put on a swimsuit and some flip-flops and meander out to the patio where a fresh mango and a cup of coffee await. Take a walk by the ocean, soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of the sea. Your entire day awaits you, with options like scuba diving, surfing, or sea kayaking. There will be plenty of time to read a book, maybe take a siesta in the afternoon after lunch, or relax poolside. Take a yoga class, go to the spa, learn to hula dance. As the sun sets, you stroll over to the outdoor restaurant for a fabulous meal, straight from the sea. A good night’s sleep prepares your body to do it all over again tomorrow.

There are as many variations on this theme as there are beach resorts around the world. If action and night life are on your agenda, there is always something going on at a beach resort. Some resorts cater to this scene, with poolside bars, and discotheques that stay open all night. Other beach resorts are small, secluded, and quiet. Choose one of these if your idea of nightlife is being asleep by 10pm. There are many beach resorts that cater to families. Ultimately, the experience you seek is out there – you just need to find it.

If you haven’t experienced a beach resort already, then the only question is, “What are you waiting for?”

If you are a cross-country wilderness traveler, it is important to have a site map that will guide you with all your travel needs. Bed and breakfasts are places where people can stay as transients. These places include bed space and free breakfast before a guest leaves in the morning. They are generally designed for cross-country travelers with RVs.

There are also lodging houses and resorts that offer special packages for short time travelers. Some travel agencies specialize in arranging such package tours for people who love going on adventures. Simply book the package you want and they will arrange all the reservations as well as other add-on tours.

Skiing - Jasper, AB Marmot Basin

Skiing has been around for a very long time. A 9,000 year old petroglyph from Norway depict a form of skiing. If you are going on a ski vacation, it makes a lot of sense to stay in a ski lodge. You will be close to the slopes, and you will be surrounded by other skiers. The facilities will cater to you with places to store your skis, waxing services, weather reports, and knowledge of the local mountains. You can also count on fun activities after skiing.

Ski lodges exist in virtually every ski town in the European Alps. They can be small and quaint, or large and bustling. Expect strong coffee, thick down comforters, and lots of guests. North American ski resorts have replicated this model to an extent, but the lodging and town may be several miles away from the resort. If this is the case, shuttle transportation will be available to and from the ski hill.

In North America, virtually every ski resort has a well-developed base lodge that services skiers during the day. Here you can find meals, drinks, a repair shop, stores, and a comfortable ambiance. There are some exquisitely built ski lodges that are worth visiting, even if you don’t plan on skiing. Bring a book, order a coffee, and relax.

After skiing, most ski lodges will offer refreshments – beer and wine, hot cocoa, cheese and crackers. This is a great way to unwind with other skiers after a day on the slopes. Many ski lodges also offer hot tubs, saunas, and spa services.

If you are a skier and plan on going on a ski vacation, you may want to consider staying in ski lodges. You will be close to the slopes, surrounded by other skiers, and have access to everything you need so that you can spend as much time skiing as possible!

If you’re planning a long road trip across the states, make sure you have a map to guide you where you can sleep comfortably during the night. Some travel agencies specialize in this type of travel to make your road trip hassle free. If you want to go on a college road trip, such companies can arrange school tours for potential college students who are scouting for the ideal university.

They can guide you to good bed and breakfast lodging houses and where to park when you need a quick pit-stop. These agencies also have guides to direct you where to replenish your supplies and fuel. Lodging houses have amenities especially designed for long travelers. Some even have spas where you can have a good massage and relax your tired body from the long drive

Image from www.owlheadcreek-bnb.ca/

When we first moved to the farm, we had grand visions of growing organic vegetables all summer, bringing bushels of apples to market in the fall, and spending the winter cozy by the fire, effortlessly home schooling our children and watching the snow fall on our 40 acres of paradise .  Well, it wasn’t that easy, and we found ourselves toiling from dawn till dusk seven days a week, all summer long.  When winter hit there were animals to feed, snow drifts to deal with, ice and frozen pipes in our 100 year old farmhouse.  The money ran out before the snow melted.  School curriculum was reduced to chopping wood and carrying water.  Time by the fire was usually spent in total exhaustion.

The idea of opening a Bed & Breakfast sprang from necessity.  We were living the dream, as they say, but it wasn’t paying the bills.  We realized that our biggest resource was our idyllic location and our rural, close-knit, family oriented lifestyle .  With a Bed and Breakfast, people could experience life on the farm for  about the same price as the motel in town.  And it was a hit!

Guests came from towns like Portland or Boise for the weekend, sometimes longer, to enjoy the peace and quiet of our beautiful valley.  Most, but not all, were already familiar with the Bed & Breakfast concept.  Some were hikers, hunters, or river rafters.  Others were writers or bird watchers.  Often they were interested in farm life.  Kids loved the chickens, horses and swimming pond. It wasn’t uncommon for adults to wind up carrying a shovel and pliers around after asking questions about fencing and irrigating!  Without exception, our guests were wonderful people and we truly enjoyed spending time with them.

For our family, operating a Bed and Breakfast had unexpected rewards.  All of us became very comfortable welcoming total strangers into our home.  The kids became adept at introducing themselves, shaking hands and looking people in the eye.  Even our Dalmatian, Tucker, enjoyed socializing with guests – usually just after mealtime.  Overall, turning our farm into a Bed and Breakfast helped remind us of how lucky we were to live in a beautiful place, close to nature, close to each other, and far away from the crowds.

I travel a lot by myself, and often am required to stay in hotels, often near the airport.  Standard features, stale air and anonymity make for very forgettable experiences, to say the least.  No matter how friendly the staff, how many cable channels, or how fast the wi-fi connection, I am left with a sterile, disconnected feeling.

A few years ago I began exploring other lodging options, including the Bed and

Breakfast.  What an adventure!  I remember the first one, a Bed and Breakfast in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.  Not only did I get a comfortable bed and a breakfast fit for a king, but I met fascinating guests from all around the US, Belgium and Switzerland.

The owners had an interesting story as well – having retired from busy careers in New York, they made a choice to slow down.  Now he tinkers around the house, she fluffs pillows and they spend lots of time in the kitchen together preparing meals and getting to know their guests.  I suspect he may actually be using the Bed and Breakfast as a cover for a job with the CIA, but that’s another story.

One day I had a free morning and joined a small group of graduate students from Indiana University on a trip to the Smithsonian, taking in the sights along the way. What fun. That evening we felt like old friends, sitting on the covered porch in the warm spring air, sharing highlights from the day, and exchanging contact information. The Bed and Breakfast owners surprised us with freshly baked ginger snaps and mint julips. A great combination, by the way.

Leaving Washington, I felt happy. Even though this had been a business trip, staying in a Bed and Breakfast allowed me to connect with fellow human beings in a natural setting. I was well-rested. I hadn’t watched any television. I felt like I had a sense for what it’s like to actually live in Washington, DC and, best of all, I now have friends in Indiana!