Glamping Under The Stars
During my years in Oregon, I was introduced to glamping, short for “glamorous camping.” It was an easier way to escape the city than the full-fledged camping and hiking experience. Recently, I was reflecting on how much glamping has grown as an eco-travel phenomena over the last decade. Previous to glamping in Oregon, I had my share of car camping adventures in Northern California, New Hampshire and upstate New York. Some I remember fondly, some I would rather forget! More rugged than car camping, I can only say I have experienced this a few times in North Carolina and the Florida Everglades. A few primer experiences that were not camping per se but rugged in their own way include: a visit to an ashram in New Mexico, a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, a skiing day trip in Utah, and an indie film set in Rhode Island.
As a kid growing up in Florida, I spent a lot of time around boats, near the ocean. Maybe that counts for outdoorsy, probably not. Needless to say, a combination of comfort amenities and cozy refuge in nature appeals to my adulting self + my inner child as a travel experience. Many across the world seem to feel the same way, as glamping has grown from a trendy fad to an enterprise for sustainable tourism.
