Last year, as I was booking our first annual March cabin trip, it was all for my better half to get the peace and serenity he desperately deserves but I was skeptical. How great could it be? No beach, no wifi, no room service...come on. I am here to tell you, it is pretty awesome!
Cabin trip holds amazing relaxation and experiences.
- We read books. I can never read unless I'm on vacation because there is always something else to do. Last year I stocked up on dark, ominous, and terrifying apocalyptic novels. Perfect for being alone in the middle of the woods. I read World War Z, I am Legend, and Never Let Me Go all in a three day time span. Love!
- We crank up the crock pot meals. I am on the Pinterest crock pot freezer meal band wagon and I am not afraid to admit it. Who wants to take a million ingredients but what's the alternative? Sandwiches? Uh, no. Meals in a bag, that's what! I made meals from here http://www.ringaroundtherosies.net/2012/02/freezer-cooking.html, and here http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/09/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-make-8-meals.html, with these super easy two cookie chocolate chip batches http://www.pinterest.com/pin/114138171778349840/. Let's just say we did not go hungry or want for a restaurant.
- No wifi. My better half likes to joke about how happy he is when I can't check my phone but he is on his just as much. Sounds like it sucks but it is nice not to even check your phone. You don't need to. No one can reach you. No bothers. No stress. You don't even realize how much a phone intrudes on your daily life until it doesn't.
- We enjoyed the scenery. What an amazing area! First of all, our cabin was perched on a mountain with an amazing view. During the day, mountains. At night, no city light polution equals amazing night sky. With a cabin fully equipped with shuffle board, air hockey, pool, a fire pit, and hot tub, we had plenty of entertainment. When we ventured out, the Nantahala River, known for it's white water rafting, was just down the road and we discovered Nantahala Brewing Company in Bryson, NC. Fantastic little brewery, brewing up amazing brews, including my personal favorite, Chocolate Cherry Stout. Check them out at http://www.nantahalabrewing.com/. If you don't live in North or South Carolina, I'm sorry. It's unassumingly amazing. I book our trips thru http://www.carolinamountainvacations.com/.
- We get to take the dogs! When we leave, it's always hard to leave our babies and it's hard for them too. Or at least I like to think so. After a harrowing couple hours of pacing, panting, and whining in the car, we arrive and they make themselves at home. It's nice to have the whole family together.
- We had a near death experience and lived to tell about it. Not really but kinda. I decided it would be a great idea to take a midnight ghost hike in the Smoky Mountains. Sounds fun. What could happen with a group of 20 people walking through the woods at night. Well, it wasn't 20 people. It was just us and the tour guide. I'm sure you can see that this is less human shields and less people that I have a chance of out running. It is pretty spooky alone, in the woods, in the dark where bears and mountain lions live, let me tell you. I almost took an unsolicited piggy back ride on the tour guide on the way down the mountain. If you feel the need to value your life just a little bit more, check them out at http://www.paddlefishbasecamp.com/. Of course, I am kidding. The only real danger I was in was of a heart attack because of my own anxiety and terrible night blindness. Whose idea was that?!
I'm sure you can just envision the rustic bliss we encountered. So here we go again and I can't wait!
If you've ever been to a cabin, you know the horrific interior design that often times assaults your eyes. Mountain lions aren't the scariest things in the mountains, this decor is. So in anticipation of our trip, I put together my idea of cabin decor. Sometimes rustic, sometimes quirky, it's more about coziness and the outdoors to me. So without further adieu, I give you...Homage De Cabin.
It's a lot to take in. I'll give you a moment.
So yeah, as previously mentioned, cabin trip includes books, reading, and also movies. We got our luggage, a lantern, and a deer jaw as a nod to our wildlife friends.
Here we have a lot of random masculine stuff because I do what I want. But there is an Old Ezra Whiskey box because, obviously, drinking is happening and my praying hands salt and pepper shakers because if I come across a mountain lion, Imma do some prayin.
Ok, we got all our thermoses for delicious coffee and lots of it. And a typewriter, because if I was a writer, what better place to write? I guess I am writing now. Maybe I should blog up there...
All this on a Native American Wool Table Runner, since the Nantahala Mountains were found by the Cherokee Indians.
One last look!
So, are you feeling it? While on my cabin trip I will be sure to keep my eyes out for coveted mountain junk spots and try to bring back some fabulous new items. All items pictured (except my typewriter) are available for purchase to decorate your own cabin or create a cabin feel at www.maliasmark.etsy.com. Plan your own cabin trip soon! You won't be sorry. Unless you take the midnight ghost hike. Then you might be sorry. Just kidding (not really.)
