It isn’t easy making time for yourself, for nature, and for simply doing nothing when you have three jobs, are a caregiver to many in your family, and are raising a kid on your own.
Ask Antoinett Atkins, a Tacoma-based Program Manager, who escaped to Getaway Mount Adams last month with her son. But to use her words – she went because she had to and “to show up to life and feel life and reconnect to myself.” She currently works for Reach Center, where she partners with different agencies within her community to offer a variety of services for youth experiencing homelessness.
It’s been a stressful time for Antoinett. Her organization has been in transition, which has forced her to take on a bigger role. At the same time, she works as a political consultant on several special elections campaigns. On top of all this, over the past year, she’s experienced tremendous grief. Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and she suffered the losses of her best friend’s mom and her cousin. In addition to being a single mom herself, she helps take care of her cousin’s 2 year old son. She’s been called on to be the rock, but to use her words “it’s easy to forget myself.”
This year, Antoinett decided to do things a little differently. Firstly, she started out with a simple mantra: “I am a priority.” With so much going on, Antoinett came to the very simple realization that if she did not put herself first in everything she did, she would not be able to show up for anything. “It’s an investment in myself. I don’t know if we can ever have true balance in our lives, but one thing I can do is take time for myself.”
Antoinett took her son out to Getaway Mount Adams and it was exactly what she needed. The escape provided her with the opportunity to take her 4 year old to nature for the first time, and to take some quiet time to reflect. In that time, she thought a lot about her priorities. How sometimes stepping away from things can help you grow. How getting caught up in the cult of busyness isn’t so productive for any of us. She asked herself critical questions. She notes, “I’m so comfortable being the problem solver, but am I the solution trigger? I think busyness can be an addiction. If you’re not moving… if you’re not up early or out late, are you really reaching for the dream?”
Antoinett’s plan is to continue to explore these questions, at home and on her next Getaway. “The next time I go will be may myself, or I’ll go with another mom so that I can allow her to experience getting away. It’s so hard to be okay just letting go. I would love for another mom to be able to experience it.”
Interested in exploring Getaway Mount Adams for yourself? Find out more here.
Our guests often characterize their Getaway with a simple turn of phrase – disconnect to reconnect.
There’s something other worldly that happens when you turn off your devices and devote undistracted time in nature to the one(s) you love most.
Take it from Getaway guest Emily Conway, who escaped to Getaway Mount Adams with her husband last month. The Washington State-based fitness instructor ditched notifications and slowed down to enjoy some quality time in the great outdoors. Emily shares her story:
The fast pace of our current culture and hurried lifestyle often promises fulfillment, but, I would argue, rarely delivers. While, for a time, we can sustain this manufactured way of life, we are often left tired, in need of refreshment. We need to disconnect from the constant noise and overstimulation we are infiltrated by. Sound familiar?
Do you want to decompress, detox from the steady stream of connection and notifications, tugging at your attention to detail, and the relentless “hustle” from thing to thing? To unplug from the noise so you can plug into the quiet and peace that stillness brings?
Picture yourself bundled up under your wool beanie, zipped into your fleece lined jacket, filled up on a hardy dinner you two slow cooked over an open fire stove, snuggled up together next to a camp fire with nothing but the light from the stars above, the crackling of the embers, and the warmth from the flames and each-others company. You have space to breath, reflect, think, allow your mind to wander, laugh, joke, and enjoy the moment shared. There is stillness surrounding you, and, holding tight to the hand of your mate sitting in the opposite chair, your love deepens as memories are in the process of being made.
Committing to a few things over the 3 days we spent at the cabin greatly increased and magnified the enjoyment of our time there; it might help you too:
We locked away our cell phones and work to focus on being present in the moment.
We gave ourselves permission to rest and do things slowly. This looked like waking up to the morning light peeking in, pulling up the shade overhanging our enormous window, revealing that we were sitting smack dab amidst a flurry of beautiful autumn colored trees. With little birds floating around, and sunshine pouring over the tall, dew sparkling grass in the field next to us, we felt like we were waking up in a fairytale. Of course we brought along our chemex, and, since rest was our purpose, each morning we brewed our coffee, sipped it slowly, and cozied up in bed for as long as we could.
Our favorite pastime while we were there was reading aloud to each other. Getting lost in the pages together, we bonded at a deep soul level.
Playing cards was another a part of our daily routine. With our competitive edge in common, we dabbled in learning new games, and resurrecting our old favorites.
We snacked, played, talked, napped, listened to music, slow danced, hiked, strolled on the nearby trails, enjoyed the beauty in the nature around us… and the beauty in each-other.
We had space and time to dream. We reimagined our hopes for our lives, for both the immediate and the future. Our final day found us encouraged and filled up. We were ready to go home with the same intentionality we experienced at the cabin. Purposed to continue to live, and love, in the simple ways we had relearned for the sake of keeping ourselves open to what truly matters: richness in togetherness, and peace in a slowed down life. I am happy to report that we are finding so much joy in doing so.
Head out on a romantic Getaway, and re-spark your connection in nature.
For this week’s wellness tip, we want to encourage you to bring a bit of nature into your home by buying some house plants. Not only are they stylish decor that add a pop of color, but they also provide a lot of health benefits, while keeping you connected to nature. Here are a few reasons to invest in a new houseplant.
1. Can Improve Concentration and Focus
Try adding a plant to your desk to boost your mood, which will help you concentrate and focus during your workday.
2. Houseplants Purify the Air in Our Homes
NASA researchers found that some houseplants can remove up to 87% of airborne toxins in our homes in just 24 hours.
3. Help Us Manage Stress and Anxiety
Not only does bringing a bit of nature into your home help manage stress and anxiety, but taking care of your plants is a great way to remind yourself to take care of you too.
A Few of Our Favorite Spots to Find New Houseplants:
At the start of 2023, we escaped to Getaway Talladega Valley outside of Atlanta in Childersburg, Alabama with Halle Burns and couple of her friends. During our escape, she shared a sweet vegan campfire recipe with us. Read on to learn how to cook a Campfire Roasted Banana.
Ingredients:
Bananas
Mini Marshmallows
Chocolate Chips
Instructions:
Slice the banana down the middle in the peel, then split it open.
Take your marshmallows and sprinkle them into the split of the banana, and then do the same with your chocolate chips.
Roll the banana in tin foil to wrap it up, and then place it over the fire for 5-8 minutes.
After its been on the fire, unwrap it, grab a fork or spoon, dig in, and enjoy!
Located in Grand Junction, MI, Postcard Cabins Barber Creek is only 15 minutes from the bustling town of South Haven along the shores of Lake Michigan. While there’s plenty of exploring to be done around our new location, here are a few of the spots we’d recommend you check out while you’re on your escape.
Walks in the Woods
Kal-Haven Trail Distance: 33.5 miles Difficulty: Easy Dogs allowed This trail, which stretches from South Haven to Kalamazoo, MI, was built in place of an old railroad route. The trailhead can be accessed in nearby South Haven from the Outpost for any out-and-back hikes.
Reeds Lake Trail Distance: 4.2 miles Difficulty: easy Dogs allowed This paved trail through the woods circles the beautiful Reeds Lake, and makes for the perfect afternoon hike with with your friends and family.
Van Buren Park Dunes Trail Distance: 1.3 mi Difficulty: moderate Dogs allowed For scenic views of Lake Michigan, this loop trail is perfect for families and for a shorter adventure to explore the area around South Haven.
Sustenance and Snacks
Biggby Coffee ~16 minutes away Enjoy some unique season coffees and lattes at Biggby Coffee, a shop hailing from Lansing, MI.
South Haven Farmer’s Market ~18 minutes away Running 8am-2pm Saturdays from Mid-May – Mid-October, and Wednesdays June – August, head to South Haven Farmer’s Market to support local farmers and other craftspeople, try some local foods, and get the freshest ingredients for your favorite campfire meals.
Admiral Jack’s ~18 minutes away To enjoy a great meal right on the water, head to Admiral Jack’s. With plenty of outdoor seating and views of the marina everywhere you look, you’ll feel transported to your favorite tropical paradise.
South Haven Brewpub ~18 minutes away If you’re in the mood for a pint, South Haven Brewpub is South Haven’s first microbrewery and it’s located in historic Old Harbor Village, with outdoor seating for you to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Black River.
Chomp Gourmet Hot Dogs ~19 minutes away Only open during summer months, but worth the unique food experience, if you’re in the area when they’re open. At Chomp Gourmet Hot Dogs, they offer classic combinations as well as the chance to try some new food combinations you’ve never thought to pair before.
Gravity Tasting Room ~18 minutes away For our wine enthusiasts, Gravity Tasting Room is the best spot in town to enjoy an afternoon of tasting, laughing, and reconnecting with those who matter most.
Things to Do Around the Cabins
South Haven Lighthouse ~17 minutes away The lighthouse sits at the West End of the South Pier at the Mouth of the Black River in South Haven. First lit in 1872, this historic and beautiful red lighthouse is a must-see in South Haven.
Michigan Maritime Museum ~19 minutes away This harbor-front museum and research center is the place to go to explore exhibits that will answer all your questions about Lake Michigan, to explore historic boats — and even enjoy a boat ride or one of their many events.
South Haven Fishing Charters ~18 minutes away For an excursion out onto Lake Michigan, head to South Haven Fishing Charters to be guided be a professional charter fisherman through a day’s catch. You may even hear some fisherman’s folklore while you’re at it. North Beach ~21 minutes away Enjoy a relaxing day on the shores of Lake Michigan at North Beach. This is the perfect spot for families with the waves, playgrounds, and snack bar to entertain the little ones.
South Haven Scooter Rental ~19 minutes away To explore South Haven in style, head to South Haven Scooter Rental. Hop on some scooters and explore the main streets of South Haven and the harbor-front, and get to know the area in a way you can’t by driving.
Our Artist Fellowship program was created to give creatives the space they need for uninterrupted work in the middle of the woods. The hope is that artists can use the quiet and the natural beauty around our cabins to inspire their creative projects. We’re excited to feature several of our fellows from the past few months and the work they have created at Getaway.
Hayley Tanasijevich has been drawing for as long as she can remember and even studied graphic design and illustration at the University of Michigan. After college, she realized her passion for travel drawing and has found a place to sketch everywhere from Scotland to Southeast Asia. Most recently, Hayley escaped to Getaway New York for some creative time. Drawing her inspiration from a treasure trove of children’s books, Hayley says she one day hopes to make her own.
“I hope someday to have a little studio where I can draw animals with eyebrows wearing funny clothes as much as I want,” Hayley said. “For now, I take each day one at a time and keep drawing and improving to never stop creating.”
Ali Williams has been passionate about public art ever since she created her first mural in art school. Her dream would be to create a mural abroad with a mission she’s passionate about. In the meantime, Ali draws her main inspiration from her fellow women artists and celebrating their accomplishments.
She took to Getaway DC this winter to focus her creative energy and work on some sketches. When she’s not on a Getaway, Ali says she likes to escape to the ocean.
“I’m fortunate to live near the ocean, and I work remote, so for a quick get away I walk to the beach as much as I can,” Ali said. “Unplugging is still a challenge, that’s why I like yoga so much! But with good people around it makes it much easier to shut all that down and enjoy the present moment no matter where you are.”
While Joanna Guest has been artistic for most of her life, she says her current work is mostly driven by the deep love of art her parents, who met in art school, have always had. In 2017, Joanna began collecting all the notes her father had written to both her and her brother. Since then, she has been creating collages to pair with her father’s words and has been sorting them into a book set to publish in 2019.
Joanna recently took to Getaway New York to inspire some of her canvases. However, the Brooklyn-based artist tries her best to find ways to disconnect even when she can’t get to the Catskills.
“I like to go to Maine. If that’s not in the cards, I love to cook, with good music in the background and a glass of wine,” Joanna says. “There’s nothing ‘away in nature’ about that, but boy can it make this Brooklyn-born kid feel free.”
One of the most exciting aspects of heading to our cabins is the opportunity to get to know the towns and regions where the cabins are located. With the Outpost located between Charlotte and Raleigh, roughly 90 minutes from each, we discovered some amazing spots that we can’t wait for you to check out, too. Here are a few of our favorites:
Raleigh to Postcard Cabins Asheboro: Road Trip Pitstops
Small B & B Cafe ~40 minutes from Raleigh ~47 minutes from the Cabins Discover this sweet cafe in Pittsboro, with a mission to make the farm-to-table experience affordable, fun, and delicious. Great for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, this cafe has plenty of outdoor seating and menu options for any dietary preference, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free.
Fair Game Beverage Co. ~45 minutes from Raleigh ~50 minutes from the Cabins One part bottle shop, one part souvenir shop, one part tasting room, Fair Game Beverage Co. in Pittsboro, was Carolina’s 13th legal distillery. They offer tastings of some of the oldest barrel aged spirits in the area, along with their wine, their cider, local craft beer, and specialty regional food items.
Jordan Lake ~30 minutes from Raleigh ~60 minutes from the Cabins Jordan Lake is a 14,000-acre reservoir with an undeveloped hilly shoreline. There are seven swim beaches and nearly 14 miles of hiking trails, most of which are easy and ideal for families. The wildlife includes osprey and bald eagles.
Charlotte to Postcard Cabins Asheboro: Road Trip Pitstops
Stony Mountain Vineyards ~70 minutes from Charlotte ~50 minutes from the Cabins Stony Mountain Vineyards is a family-owned boutique winery in the beautiful Uwharrie Mountains. Dedicated to the passion of winemaking, they invite you to do a wine tasting, schedule a winery tour, or simply enjoy a glass of wine on the deck with panoramic views of the countryside.
Rob Wallace Park Loop ~35 minutes from Charlotte ~75 minutes from the Cabins Hike Distance: 2.5 miles Difficulty: Easy This trail is known to be well-maintained and quiet. It’s ideal for all skill levels, good for kids, and dog friendly, but it’s recommended to bring hats and sunscreen as most of the trail is exposed to the sun. Don’t miss the stunning deep-water quarry lake at the end of the loop.
Walks in the Woods near Getaway Asheboro
Purgatory Mountain Trailhead ~8 minutes away Hike Distance: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate This scenic hike to the top of Purgatory Mountain is a great way to top off a day spent at The North Carolina Zoo, as the trail begins on their property. Uphill but not strenuous, it’s good for kids, dog-friendly, and meticulously maintained and marked for navigational ease.
Faith Rock Nature Trail ~20 minutes away Hike Distance: .08 miles Difficulty: Easy This loop along Deep River is ideal for all skill levels and kids, plus it features plenty of wildlife. It passes by Faith Rock, a large bluestone outcropping, known for stunning river views and a peek of the ruins of an old textile mill.
Uwharrie National Recreation Trail ~30 minutes away Hike Distance: 18.9 miles Difficulty: Moderate In its entirety, this trail covers the length of Uwharrie National Park. Crossing several creeks, this trail is not heavily trafficked, known to be peaceful and quiet, and has plenty of beautiful flora and small fauna to look at along the way. It’s dog-friendly and hiking short portions is great for kids.
Birkhead Mountain Trail ~ 30 minutes away Hike Distance: 11.6 Difficulty: Moderate This year-round loop features a river and is part of the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness, a protected mountain range intended for public use. These mountains are considered to be the oldest on the North American continent, with evidence of early Native American life dating back over 12,000 years.
Coolers Knob Mountain ~ 30 minutes away Hike Distance: 2.5 Difficulty: Easy Part of the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness, this back trail is great for all skill levels and known for its wide array of wild flowers and many stream crossings. Hike between April and October for the best experience.
Keyauwee Supertree Woodrun Loop Trail ~30 minutes away Hike Distance: 12.4 Difficulty: Moderate A long hike if done as a loop, this moderate up and down trail is known for amazing downhill sections, beautiful wildflowers, and birdwatching. The trail is dog-friendly, heavily wooded, and dotted with creeks.
Sips and Sustenance Near Our Cabins
The Table ~15 minutes away A charming family-run restaurant, located in downtown Asheboro, that celebrates seasonal cooking, strong community, and the importance of gathering round the kitchen table. Southern hospitality meets comfort food meets garden-fresh at this dine-in cafe and carry-out market.
Four Saints Brewing Company ~15 minutes away Four Saints Brewing’s mission is to provide great beer for great people, and pays homage to the patron saints of beer: Saint Wenceslaus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Luke, and Saint Augustine of Hippo. Through brewing, they hope to grow the local economy, support meaningful organizations and charities, and create a place where hospitality matters and everyone feels welcome.
Magnolia 23 ~15 minutes away Find simple good food and good service at this snug eatery in downtown Asheboro. Known for their delicious southern cooking—specifically their fried chicken and sweet tea—and congenial warmth, you’ll feel like you’re visiting neighbors at Magnolia 23.
Food Lion ~11 minutes away To stock up before your cabin stay so you can prepare your favorite meals, head to Food Lion for locally-sourced options to support the community around the Outpost.
Sidetrips Near Our Cabins
The North Carolina Zoo ~8 minutes away Situated directly between Raleigh and Charlotte, The North Carolina zoo is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. They house primarily African and North American animals, with a strong focus on conservation and nature-based educational programs. This is a great place to visit with kids—tickets are $11 for children, $15 for adults, and free for children under two. Plus, make sure to check the feeding schedule so you see your favorite animals.
Richland Creek Zipline Canopy Tour ~10 minutes away Richland Creek is one of the first ziplines in North Carolina, and consists of 14 ziplines totaling over one and a half miles of cable. Their prices are the lowest in the area, so feel free to bring the whole family. All tours are given by a trained and certified tour guide, and depending on the size of your group, your tour will last about two hours.
The North Carolina Aviation Museum ~20 minutes away The North Carolina Aviation Museum, located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, offers a diverse set of interactive exhibits which tell stories from the beginning of flight through contemporary aviation. Great for kids who want to experience the wonders of aviation first hand.
Pisgah Covered Bridge ~20 minutes away Built in 1911 for $40 USD to aid in horse and wagon travel, this 54 foot bridge is one of North Carolina’s two remaining covered bridges. Visit this historic landmark located in Uwharrie National Forest, which crosses the West Fork Branch of the Little River.
For a round-up of organizations and Black-owned businesses to support in Charlotte and Raleigh, see our list.
Nija and Super of @brokehungrychicks spent some time earlier this summer at Getaway Shenandoah and created these amazing vegan campfire nachos – they graciously shared their recipe with us so we can all try to recreate them ourselves on our next escape to nature.
Ingredients:
Tortilla chips
Canned beans
Chopped red onion
Diced tomato
Canned sweet corn
Top the nachos with:
Sliced jalapeño
Vegan cheddar cheese
Mild salsa
Guacamole
Cilantro
Lime
Instructions:
Put two layers of chips then beans, corn, onion, tomatoes, and cheese in a cast iron pan. To make the homemade guacamole topping you’ll need one avocado, red onion, tomato, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
