Category: Glamping USA

It’s late October and I’m peering out the front of a tightly rooted thick canvas tent staring straight up into the milky star-filled sky. This, I think to myself after a wild and work-filled summer, is living. After a few minutes of allowing my imagination to drift off into the big sky abyss, I reel my mind back to earth and carefully zip my tired and happy body in for the night. I was three days in on my cycling and glamping adventure with TerraVelo Tours in remote Southern Utah about to slink into the tightly tucked sheets and starfish in my cozy Tempur-pedic bed for another dreamy nights rest.

When I arrived at our first site without any expectations, it was easy to pick out my tent with my name beautifully etched in white chalk on a small sign just out my front door. Details from the Turkish towels and soft bed linens to the luxury bath and body products in a basket atop the full size dresser next to the bed were on point. After unpacking and meeting the on site staff, we headed out for a lesson to get comfortable riding our road bikes. I had never ridden a road bike before (you can also get a hybrid) so this was very helpful before setting out.

For that week, I felt the wind in my hair as I raced down the steep hillsides after exerting myself to the max to make it to the top of each insane vantage point. I was an active participant in nature riding anywhere from fifteen to twenty miles a day. I love that the sprinter van followed along the entire way in case I wanted to opt out of a portion and take a break and just enjoy the scenic view.

Though cycling was the focus on the trip menu, there were many other activities to partake in in the diverse landscapes. We hiked Bryce Canyon and part of Zion National Park and explored toward the end of the trip on horseback. Watching the sun set and the moon rise from the top of Pink Coral Sand Dunes State Park as we listened to dune buggies whip around from a distance was a special treat. Another completely unique and off the beaten path gem we explored just after sunset was Goblin Valley. I’m not normally a guided group kind of traveler, but what I loved about TerraVelo was that the trip was flexible and accommodating to some spur of the moment things.

TerraVelo did a great job of packing our itinerary with adventure but still allowing time to slow down with yoga, massage, time to watch sun set from the outdoor luxury lounge, roast s’mores, tell stories around the campfire, and wake up and walk/run down the road in one of our three off the beaten path camp locations.

One of the things that makes TerraVelo Tours completely unique is their mobility. They actually move the campsite for you so you get to experience staying in different locations. You don’t even have to pack up any of your things. Just leave them in your dresser and they do it all for you.

It was nice coming home, or to a new home, after each experience to a warm perfectly prepared meal accompanied by a glass of wine in the dining tent, and even under the stars with hot soup one of the evenings. Dining together gave it a real family style feel and an opportunity to engage and get to know other guests.

I did a lot of listening that week in Utah. I unplugged and listened to the sound of nothing at all, to sounds of the campfire crackling after dark, and listened to my own inner voice reminding me that I need very few things in life to make me happy: my camera, a delicious meal, the great outdoors, and family. TerraVelo fulfilled all of these in their own way and then some. A balance of incredible food, wellness, and wanderlust, made it a truly one of a kind experience. At the end of the day, a growing catalogue of experiences is one of my most treasured things I own. Being able to flip through this chapter in my life is more fulfilling that any possession I could ever buy.

Enjoy the film I produced and be immersed in my journey.

SOUTHERN UTAH GLAMPING from Border Free Productions on Vimeo.

It’s been great to watch TerraVelo evolve and grown into other destinations like Wyoming, the California Coast, and the Adirondacks. There aren’t many places where you can have an experience quite this wild and special.

Photography Credit: Justin Hackworth

Most people picture themselves on their ideal vacation either lounging on beach or something more adventurous like zip-lining through a tropical rainforest. This year, I opted for something a little bit out of the ordinary for my family vacation and invited myself on my parent’s yearly hunting trip near Wells, Nevada. This city girl had to put away the heels to make room for my boots, forget about wi-fi and cellphone service, and choose some entertaining reading material in preparation for my journey. The plan was to get in touch with nature and get away from everyday technology.

Although the ride felt like a never-ending desert slowly consuming my energy and interest for the last three hours, my daughter was excited to see some cows and horses on the way as she peeked through the window. We passed by a small mansion on top of a hill, many working farms, and a large lake in the middle of the desert that offers free camping areas with tables and a great view, this was sometime after passing a sign for a hot spring nearby. As much as I yearned to experience a therapeutic soak in a hot spring, I’ll have to squeeze that into another adventure because we didn’t want to arrive at night.

It rained and poured on and off for the first two days which was surprisingly relaxing. I entertained myself with Mindy Kaling’s new book “Why not me?” which had me laughing out loud as I snuggled under a blanket and often looked out the window in hopes of seeing a wild animal pass by. Still, I took a stroll in the rain to get a better view of our surroundings and kicked the ball a few times before it began to rain again.

The campsite we picked out was obviously a favorite among hunters and campers, near a small river that ran through the mountains and next to a beautiful landscape, and within a mine field of what we believe was cow or deer poop. The outdoor toilet facility was one of a kind and had an exclusive view like no other I’ve ever personally seen. We used the bathroom in our trailer, but had a good laugh at the creativity of the creator.

Once our large group of family and friends returned from hunting in the afternoon, I quickly jumped on the 4-wheeler to have some fun exploring the surrounding area. It was an adrenaline rush. When I saw our neighbor had set up a large glamping tent with a wood fire burner, I knew I had to share it with everyone. I’m sure they prepared all of this themselves, but I know there are companies out there who take the hassle out of your hands and provide a full glamping set-up anywhere in the United States like Shelter Co.

The fourth day was filled with excitement! We sighted a big herd of deer a few yards away over the mountain just behind our camp. With one clean shot, the male mule deer came tumbling down the steep hill. I had never experienced anything like it, the feeling of sadness overcame the excitement at the sight. This sport is not for the faint of heart, it is legally done with a permit to prevent over-population. Never shoot unless you have a perfect shot and it is lethal, anything less would be cruel. The meat can be sold or stored and cooked and the fur can be used as well. It took them a while to find it as the sun had just set and the night was getting pitch black. The deer was huge, meaning mature in age, with nine tips on its horns and weighing about 250lbs. He was a majestic creature. I wish I could have seen him alive and close up!

The sun was out so this made it the perfect day for 4-wheeling and target shooting. It was fun learning to shoot a shotgun, but the 22 rifle was much easier for my petite figure to handle. We drove through the mountains for fun in search of wildlife and new paths, which we found. We saw squirrels, hawks, crows, cows, and golden eagles. The elk and deer were harder to spot because they blend and hide easily in the hills. I am still in awe of the beautiful scenery and challenge all of you to go outdoors and have an escapade of your own.