Wilderness Accommodations

We all need a week or at least a few days to relax now and then, and when choosing the location for relaxation, it’s important to features with cost.  Most people can’t afford the ridiculous prices luxury hotels charge for suites, but with some good choices, people can find a great location for relaxation that doesn’t break the bank.  First of all, avoid booking rooms in expensive hotels.  While these rooms look beautiful and have all kinds of contemporary comforts, for the price of one night it’s possible to stay for three or four days elsewhere.  Instead of hotels, look at resorts, lodges, and bed and breakfast locations.  For example, at a spa resort, while a spa treatment might be a little expensive, at least it’s paying for a service rather than just a room.  When shelling out a lot of cash, make sure that the services the location provides at least match the needs for relaxation.  Just purchasing a place to sleep while intending to go elsewhere relaxing activities doesn’t make much sense. 

Time can also be a factor in choosing a getaway.  Far fewer people will be traveling in the autumn and winter, and it’s possible to save a lot of money as resorts, lodges, and bed and breakfast locations discount their rates to attract customers.

Camping is a wonderful way to spend time out of doors.  There are many factors that make up a great campsite, and the perfect site may be unattainable, like a mirage hovering in the distance.  On the other hand, if you follow these simple guidelines and lower your standards just a bit, you can have the perfect campsite every time.

There are 3 things to keep in mind when selecting a campsite.  These guidelines are important whether you are at a developed campground, backpacking in the woods, or stranded on a tropical island.  Safety should be your primary concern, especially when camping with children.  Next, consider your impact on the environment, especially if you are creating your own campsite in an undeveloped area.  And finally, consider the function of the camp in terms of the various tasks you will be performing.

Safety first.  Take a look around.  What are the hazards?  What if bad weather comes in?  Lightning.  Floods.  Falling rock.  Your campsite should be in a safe place, and your tent should be sheltered, out of the wind, and away from natural hazards like rivers or cliffs, cactus or poison ivy.

Leave only footprints.  That pristine meadow may be a tempting campsite, but what will it look like after you leave?  If you are in a developed campground, there will be an obvious place to set up your tent.  Avoid trampling vegetation, damaging trees, or scarring the land.  Use bathrooms, if available, or handle your elimination wisely and discreetly.  If you have a fire, use an existing fire pit or make your own and dismantle it after you leave.

Get comfortable.  This is the fun part of selecting a campsite.  Find a level, soft place to sleep.  Look for a nice spot for cooking and eating.  Think about morning sun, or shade, depending on the weather.  How is the view?  These things will go a long way towards turning an adequate spot into the perfect campsite!

All work and no play can be stressful. Take your loved ones on a vacation every now and then so you can all unwind and get out of familiar routines. You’ll find that a change of scenery can do wonders to refresh your soul and promote bonding for all members of the family. Many resorts all over the country cater to families.

These lodging places have spacious suites, activities for parents and kids, buffet meals and on-site babysitters among many other amenities. Book a suite instead of just one big room if you have more than two kids. Or get two connecting standard hotel rooms to give your family some space to breathe.

Relive your honeymoon to rekindle your relationship. Plan a trip for you and your spouse even for just a weekend. Arrange for extended family to take care of the kids so you can have your mate all to yourself. Research on couples resorts where you can enjoy each other without a lot of interruptions.

Read reviews of different types of resorts online. Browse brochures carefully and find out what the fine print says so you are prepared for what is covered during your trip. Ask friends and family to refer the best places they’ve recently been. Once you select your destination, make reservations, pack and whisk your spouse away for your romantic getaway.

Many people with limited vacation time choose to go to resorts.  There are many varieties of resorts to suit individual tastes, interests, and budgets.  Entire towns have become dedicated to vacationing and tourism.  Resorts can be ideal for singles looking to meet others with similar interests, couples seeking a romantic getaway, and families, since there is something to do for everybody.

Resorts tend to be all inclusive.  Lodging, food, drinks, and daytime activities are all available on the property and the price can be either a-la-carte or all-inclusive.  Many all-inclusive resorts are on the ocean.  Others are near lakes, rivers, or at ski resorts.  Some cater to hunters, fishermen, and outdoor lovers, others attract sunbathers, surfers, and scuba divers.  Prices can vary greatly – elite resorts can cost hundreds per day, while other resorts can be a real bargain, especially for families.

Tourism is such a successful revenue stream that entire towns have decided to become resort towns.  The infrastructure is designed for tourists to come for 1 week, eat, drink, and recreate, and then be gone.  These resort towns are usually at ski resorts or at the beach, and can be found all over the world.

For active singles, resorts offer a great combination of active sports, social mingling, and relaxing.  Many resorts cater to this market.  Other resorts are more quiet, with secluded lodging, great food , and spas.  These resorts are perfect for couples looking for a place to be alone.  For families, it is important to find a resort that welcomes kids.  There will typically be a swimming pool with a lifeguard, and organized activities for children.  In addition to having fun with the kids, there will be amenities for parents – nice restaurants, and activities like golf.

Resorts are a great place to relax rest, and have fun – which is what a vacation is all about!

Outdoor environmental author Edward Abbey has been quoted as saying “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.”  Abbey valued wilderness, and shunned development in wilderness areas.  The concept of a wilderness lodge would have sparked a lively conversation with Mr. Abbey, to be sure.

A modern wilderness lodge allows visitors to experience wilderness without having to endure the hardship and tedium of camping.  In some respects, these lodges actually protect the surrounding wilderness by constraining human impact to a small geographical area.  Getting in and out can require effort, and there will likely be some creature comforts missing.  But overall, staying at a  wilderness lodge can be the perfect way to experience the great outdoors.

A wilderness lodge can often be accessed by car, usually on a dirt road.  Other lodges require boat, plane, float plane, or helicopter access.  Some require a long hike or a ride on horseback to get to the lodge.  These methods of access lend credence to the saying that ‘getting there is half the fun.’  Once at the lodge, you will usually find comfortable beds, a warm fire, food and drink, and other modern conveniences.  Electricity may be a precious resource if it comes from solar panels or a generator.  Latrines may be composting toilets without running water.

Overall, wilderness lodges can have less of an impact on an area when compared with regular camping.  This is a good thing. Imagine what 1,000 campsites and bathrooms would do to a pristine meadow!   Also, these lodges allow access to visitors who normally wouldn’t be able to handle a back country camping expedition.  The best part about a wilderness lodge is going to sleep and waking up in a wild place.  This is truly satisfying for the human spirit, and Edward Abbey would certainly value that!

Have you ever been on the road, in an unfamiliar place, looking for somewhere to camp?  Well, if you can find an RV Campground, then look no further.  You can be guaranteed a safe place to camp or park your RV with all the comforts of home.  Fellow travelers will be your neighbors and you will be closer to the outdoors than you would be in a motel.  Relax, recharge, and rejuvenate at an RV Campground!

Most of us have been there – on the road, trying to get somewhere, and looking for a place just to spend the night.  Finding a secluded camping spot can be time-consuming unless you know the area, and in an unimproved campsite, you will most certainly be roughing it.  At an RV Campground you have electricity, fresh water, reception for your radio/tv/cellular phone, and even internet access.  There may be other amenities as well – laundry, a clubhouse, waste disposal, etc.  Your camp will be safe and secure.   In the morning you can take a hot shower and grab a cup of coffee for the road.

The people you meet at an RV Campground are commonly other travelers.  If there are full-time residents or long-term visitors, they will have invaluable local knowledge that they are often more than willing to share. Other travelers such as yourself may know something about where you are going.  It can be very rewarding to swap stories, learn a bit about a place, and make a friend or two.

As a cost-effective alternative to camping, an RV Campground  is a great option.  Check one out next time you are on the road and considering a rustic, safe alternative to hotel living – even if you aren’t traveling in an RV.  Clean up, meet some people, relax, and rejuvenate at an RV Campground!

Hurry! The snow & ice is melting everywhere across North America. In some places, it’s already completely gone! And you know what that means, right?

The fish are hungry and ready to bite. Do you have a line in the water?

Spring Break & May Long weekend both make great times to get out camping with the family or just away for the weekend by yourself (or maybe a buddy or two). Streams and creeks are opening up as ice disappears giving the early camper the most exciting fishing experiences of the year.

If you have kids, I encourage you to get them fishing now rather than later in the year ~ especially the little ones. The fish are so hungry right now (and with the absense of many insects and bugs) they will bite on almost anything no matter what the experience of the fisher. Kids are sure to land a big one!

So grab a map or go online and find a campsite today, but whatever you do … just get out with the family and away from the Television. There’s just too much good nature waiting for you.