We know many of our guests get away to unplug and reset, so we tapped our friends at Brooklyn Brewery for some refreshing non-alcoholic options that bring all the flavor, none of the distractions, for those looking for mindfulness and moderation this (Dry) January.
Their Special Effects lineup will be stocked in your cabin in the mini fridge at Getaway Big Bear, Getaway Eastern Catskills and Getaway Barber Creek, Thursday — Sunday, through March 2. The lineup features delicious classic styles and new favorites. Try them alongside your favorite snacks and meals, take them adventuring, or just enjoy them while you unwind. Whatever your plans, Brooklyn Brewery’s Special Effects are a perfect pairing.
Special Effects Hoppy Amber:
A smooth, delicious lager-style brew
Special Effects Pils:
Crisp, snappy, and remarkably refreshing
Special Effects IPA:
Full of bright, citrusy, classic IPA notes
Special Effects Hazy IPA:
Bursting with ripe fruit aromas and a juicy finish
Inspired to start your year with an adventure? We’ve partnered with Brooklyn Brewery on our Fresh Start Sweeps to give one lucky winner and guest a two-night Getaway to the Outpost of their choice.
And in the meantime, visit brooklynbrewery.com/beer-finder to find Brooklyn Special Effects near you, or order it to your door and save $10 with code BROOKLYNGETAWAY.
Cheers from your friends at Getaway x Brooklyn Brewery
Spending time in the woods isn’t just pleasant, it is scientifically restorative.
True to our Midwestern roots, at Getaway we try to avoid politics. The current political environment is about the farthest thing from our mission of allowing folks to disconnect from the daily grind of technology and work, and recharge in a natural, authentic, and simple way. Despite our best efforts to avoid the November melee, we couldn’t help but appreciate one thing: the first thing Hillary Clinton did after she lost the election. She went for a hike in the woods.
Unlike the political battlefield, a walk in the woods is hardly divisive. Most of us know the joy of taking a stroll down a quiet trail. For that time in the woods, time slows down just a tiny bit. You notice and appreciate the colors and the smells that are often lost in the white noise of life. You might have one of those conversations that really matter, but happen far too seldom, as you meander through the woods. If you’re lucky, that urge to clear your push notifications subsides, if just for a few minutes.
It makes sense: humans have spent damn close to 100% of our existence living in nature. We’re just calmer there.
It turns out that walking in the woods isn’t just pleasant: it’s a scientifically supported way to find balance and feel better. Just looking at pictures of nature has been shown to calm “executive function” and allow emotion, pleasure, and empathy to take center stage. Going into nature captures your attention and instills in the nature-goer a “soft fascination” that distracts from life’s anxieties. It makes sense: humans have spent damn close to 100% of our existence living in nature. We’re just calmer there.
In Japan, it has become popular for doctors to prescribe what Hillary prescribed herself: a walk in the woods for shinrin’yoku, or “forest bathing.” It’s not a fringe thing: the Japanese government has certified 48 trails as medically effective swaths of tranquility. South Korea is following suit by opening a $140-million National Forest Therapy Center. Those countries’ national insurance programs are even beginning to cover the cost of forest bathing. Perhaps that’s because the preventative benefits that feel obvious when we walk in the woods are finding scientific backup: a recent study showed that folks bathing in the forest have lower blood pressure, lower heart rates, and lower cortisol levels than folks bathing in a city center.
In Japan, it has become popular for doctors to prescribe what Hillary prescribed herself: a walk in the woods for shinrin’yoku, or “forest bathing”
If you find yourself still stressed out by the election (another scientifically-backed phenomenon), perhaps you’ll follow the advice of Qi Ling, one of the prominent scientists researching the effects of forest bathing: “If you have time for a vacation, don’t go to a city. Go to a natural area. Try to go one weekend a month.” If you do go, you might get a selfie with Hillary, but the real benefit won’t be external cred — it will be internal calm.
Nestled in the New Hampshire woods, your secluded escape is easily accessible from Boston. Driving is the quickest way to travel to your cabin—parking is easy, just pull up right beside your tiny cabin. If you don’t have any wheels, you can take a Greyhound bus to Concord, then hop in an Uber or Lyft for the remainder of the journey.
Walks in the Woods
Take a trip down one of these nearby hiking trails in your cabin backyard.
Bear Brook State Park Distance: 3.4 miles, about 2-3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed on-leash If you find yourself craving some calming time by the water, Bear Brook State Park is your ideal destination. During warmer months, you can go for a swim or stroll along 40 miles of trails, leading to ponds, bogs and marshes. Catamount Trail is a scenic hike through the woods.
Oak Hill Trails Distance: 5.8 miles, about 2-3 hours Difficulty: Easy Dogs allowed on-leash For a long but not difficult hike, try the trail leading to the old fire tower. Climbing the fire tower will provide you with a lovely panoramic view of the area.
Notes on Nature
New Hampshire is known as the Granite State, so if you’re not sure what type of rock you’re looking at while you’re exploring, granite is a good guess.
On a clear day, you might be able to see Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast at 6,288 feet.
The wild animal you’re most likely to encounter during your stay is the white-tailed deer, which has a population of about 100,000 in New Hampshire.
The Town Forest is just a short walk away. We encourage you to go by foot, but if you need to drive, there’s a small parking lot within the forest that you can park at.
To discover more things to do nearby Postcard Cabins Blake Brook, check out our local guide.
Here’s a handy guide for getting to our New York Outposts and local spots to pick up any supplies you may need. While there’s a lot to do in the area, we suggest taking a break from planning in excess and simply enjoying the time away from your daily routine and hustle.
Parking + Public Transportation
Parking at Getaway Eastern Catskills is easy; simply drive up and park directly next to your tiny cabin. If you don’t have wheels, don’t worry. Our Outposts can be accessed by a variety of ways on public transportation:
From Penn Station, you can take Amtrak to the Hudson, NY stop, then grab a cab (we recommend Pronto Taxi, 518-822-9500, cash only) for about a 20-25 min ride to your Getaway House.
From the NYC Greyhound station, you can take it to the Catskill Park & Ride, then take a taxi from there.
From Grand Central, you can take MetroNorth to Poughkeepsie, and you could Uber over from there. It’s an hour ride and will probably be pricey (about $150), so it’s a better option if you split it with friends.
Walks in the Woods
Want to remove the walls between you and nature? Take a trip down one of these nearby hiking trails just a short drive away.
Kaaterskill Falls Distance: 2.5 miles, about 1.5 hours Difficulty: Easy Dogs allowed This hike is short, though it is also steep and can get rocky. But all the effort is totally worth it when you reach the gorgeous waterfall.
Overlook Mountain Trail Distance: 4.8 miles, about 3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed on-leash The stunning view from the top of this hike makes you forget about the strenuous slog to get there. You’ll also find an old fire tower and ruins of a former hotel at the summit, and at the start or end of your hike, you can visit a Buddhist temple.
North-South Lake Distance: 4.1 miles, about 3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed on-leash Follow Mary’s Glen Trail to enjoy the views from Artist’s Rock, Sunset Rock, Newman’s Ledge, and North Point, then reward yourself with a dip in the lake. Or simply skip the hike and enjoy the water!
Sustenance & Snacks
If you’re in need of extra supplies, you can find several stores nearby to fulfill your needs and fill your belly.
Last Chance Cheese, 6009 Main St, Tannersville, New York, 12485 You’ll find so much more than just cheese here! Sit down for a meal at the tavern, search for treasure among the antiques, peruse the gourmet offerings in the shop, and choose from a huge selection of beer and, of course, cheese.
Hannaford, 223 Main St, Cairo, NY 12413 Hannaford is a full supermarket so you can stock up here.
Notes on Nature
The Catskills are made up of 98 peaks, and they were shaped by waterways and sediment deposits, meaning that geologically they are considered a dissected plateau, not mountains.
Bobcats do live in the region, and many people believe that is what inspired the name Catskills, though that hasn’t been proven to be true.
Golden eagles, bald eagles, and a variety of hawks are common in the area, so you might spot them soaring overhead.
The following are terms and conditions for the October 2019 Survey Giveaway:
(1) This contest is sponsored by Getaway House, 147 Prince Street, Brooklyn NY 11201. (2) The retail value of the prize is $89-$209. (3) No purchase is necessary. (4) Purchase does not enhance odds of winning. (5) Entrants submit their entry by filling out our survey here: https://getawaycabins.typeform.com/to/yvypki. (6) Winner will receive a free overnight stay at one of our Outposts. (7) Five winners will be selected by Getaway’s marketing team for a free stay at their nearest Outpost on October 31, 2019. (8) This contest is not affiliated with any other partners. (9) Winners are subject to the reservation terms on our website. (10) No transportation will be provided. (11) This contest is open to all persons age 18 and over within the continental United States.
This MLK day, we encourage you to find some way to be of service to your community. Whether you make time today to volunteer, pause to reflect, educate yourself and or invest in the efforts and people dedicated to the movement, we invite you to take action to honor Dr. King’s legacy.
To find local events in need of volunteers in your area, be sure to check out Volunteer Match or the Americorps’ search tool. Here are some organizations to consider supporting this year.
The American Red Cross To donate or find opportunities to volunteer your time, The American Red Cross is a great first place to look for national and local events to give back. And in this unprecedented year amid a pandemic, if you can donate blood, consider doing so this week.
Amnesty International You can donate to Amnesty International, find volunteer opportunities on their website, or find their list of petitions in need of signatures.
The Loveland Foundation Founded by Rachel Cargle, The Loveland Foundation, provides therapy support for Black women and girls while committing to find unique ways to support communities of color.
Habitat for Humanity Donate or volunteer your time with Habitat for Humanity by helping construct a home for a family in need or spending time at one of their Habitat Restores processing donations, cleaning the store, or fulfilling specific projects.
Feeding America In this unprecedented year, more people are finding it harder to put food on the table than ever before. If you find yourself in a position to, you can donate, volunteer, and fundraise for Feeding America, an organization dedicated to solving hunger. Or, you can find a local community fridge near you to drop off some food items for families in your community in need.
Operation Gratitude Operation Gratitude is all about creating connections between American military and first responders and the communities they’re protecting. This year they have many virtual volunteerism opportunities, but they offer many in-person opportunities to pack care packages, write letters to service members, and more.
The Trevor Project The Trevor Project works to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth. You can get involved by donating, volunteering, and educating yourself on the most pressing issues facing the LGBTQ+ community.
The ACLU The American Civil Liberties Union is committed to upholding individual rights and liberties in the US. You can donate, sign their petitions, contact your local officials with their resources that guide you through that process, and educate yourself about the issues they’re focused on.
Color of Change Head to Color of Change’s website to find their active campaigns in need of funds, volunteers with specific knowledge or talents, or signatures for petitions to ensure they can move their efforts forward to fight injustice.
The Salvation Army Head to your local Salvation Army to donate money or goods to support the families in your community in need, and head to their website to find upcoming local events in need of volunteers.
Know someone who deserves a chance to rest after all the time and effort they put into your community? Nominate a friend who deserves a Getaway today.
To take a forest bath is to stroll through the woods while paying close attention to your senses. Your goal is to slow down, quiet your mind, and take in the sights, sounds, scents, textures, (and occasionally tastes) of the forest.
In 1990, Chiba University researcher Yoshifumi Miyazaki found that forest bathing led to lower levels of stress and boosted immune function.
Here are some tips to help you try forest bathing.
1. Find A Spot You Love
Find a spot in nature that makes you feel peaceful and relaxed. While you don’t need to be in total isolation, you’ll want to avoid crowded places. If you love the sound of running water, see if you can start your forest bath near a river or stream. If the smell of damp soil makes you happy, seek out a shady grove.
2. Leave Your Cell Phone Behind
Even better, leave behind as much as you can. The fewer possessions you’re carrying, the more you’ll be able to focus on the feeling of your body moving through the landscape. Don’t worry about where you’re going; let your senses and curiosity be your guide.
3. Open Your Senses
Listen for birds and the rustling of leaves. Look at the different colors of foliage and the pattern of shadows from sunlight through the branches. Inhale to smell and taste the aroma of the soil, moss, and trees. Press your hands against tree trunks to feel the texture of the bark; sit or lie on the ground to get a fresh perspective.
4. Take Your Time
Unlike a hike or even a walk, you’re not trying to get from Point A to Point B. You might not wander more than a few dozen yards in any direction. The goal is to open yourself up to the landscape and let it work its gentle magic to relax and restore you.
We’ve been exchanging letters of appreciation for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians wrote each other well wishes on papyrus. Fourteenth-century Europeans delivered notes to friends and family by hand.
In the late 1880s, the card-sending tradition took off in the United States when Polish-born printer Louis Prang introduced a technique called chromolithography to reproduce colorful motifs on card stock. Today, however, it can seem like these expressions of gratitude have become a rarity.
A recent study conducted at the University of Texas, Austin, found that people often hesitate to send thank you letters because they worry their notes might come across as insincere or poorly written, and that they might make recipients feel awkward or uncomfortable.
At the same time, they doubt how much recipients will appreciate such notes. But the research team discovered that getting a thank you note — even an email that took its author less than five minutes to write — was a big deal to the people who received them. Most reported feeling “ecstatic” and perceived the letters as warmer and better written than their nervous authors had imagined.
This week, we challenge you to write a thank you note to someone who has helped you get through the last year. Let them know what their time, jokes and support have meant to you — not only will you tap into the benefits of expressing gratitude, but your thanks will likely brighten their week. Here are four tips to help you start writing.
When You Must Send a Thank You Note
While letters of appreciation are a nice gesture at any time, in certain circumstances they’re pretty much mandatory. Always send a thank you note after a job interview, after receiving a gift, after someone writes you a letter of recommendation or does you a favor, after someone hosts an event in your honor, and after someone hosts you in their home.
Personalize Your Note
If you’re expressing gratitude for a gift, let the person know how much you enjoy it or how you plan to use it. If you’re thanking someone for a letter of recommendation, you might mention how you value their opinion.
Make It a Practice
Make a practice of sending thank you notes after dinners, parties, and other social events. It’s the easiest thing to do, and it will make you feel good to sit down and say a proper thank you—you may even spot your note on your friend’s fridge the next time you visit them.
Go The Distance
Step up your thank you game by investing in blank cards, a few good pens, and a book of forever stamps. If you’re ever feeling nervous about what to write, remember that the gesture itself is what the recipient will remember.
