Earlier this year we hosted Essence Lee at Getaway Asheboro outside of Charlotte and Raleigh for a solo escape to disconnect from the noise and reconnect to herself in nature. Here’s what she had to say about her experience.
As life was getting increasingly hectic and I felt more and more disconnected from myself and nature, I decided to take some time away. I chose to Getaway because I wanted to reconnect with myself and really take time to enjoy my own company, outside of technology. This was the perfect opportunity for me to do things that I had been putting off and have the peace of mind of not scrolling through social media, browsing the internet, or binge watching TV for hours. I could really sit with myself, journal, read, relax, and think about life, without interruption.
Some of my favorite memories from my Getaway experience were making a fire and cooking outside over the fire. It had been years since I’d gone camping, and surprisingly this was the first time I had started a fire by myself. After several failed attempts and different techniques, I was so happy when I built a roaring fire on my own! There’s also nothing like campfire food like nachos, foil packets, and s’mores. I also really enjoyed lying in bed at night and looking at the stars outside the big window. Living in the city, it’s very seldom that I get to see the stars so clearly, but in the cabin it was such a treat!
Another fun thing I did was finish a book that had been on my reading list for a while. Since I had the free time to do it, it was nice to just sit in the bed and read for as many hours as I wanted to. There was no set agenda for my stay, so I got to take each day, hour, and minute as it came and chose what I felt I wanted to do at that time. It was such a freeing experience. My stay in Asheboro was also close to the North Carolina Zoo, so I spent some time there walking around and learning more about the different animals. I enjoyed seeing and interacting with other people during my time there, but it was still great to get back to the cabin and have that sense of peace again.
It definitely took some adjustment to fully disconnect from those who I talk to all the time. When I experienced something cool, I found myself wishing that they were there with me or wanting to call or text them and share it with them. It’s hard not to share your excitement immediately with those you love, but I just told myself that this would be a great story that I could share with them when I returned and that next time I come, I could take them with me!
I highly recommend a Getaway for anyone who is looking to shake up their routine and spend some real quality time with themselves and/or their loved ones. I would recommend staying for at least three nights to fully enjoy the experience and to go with an open mind. Also, think of things that you’ve been wanting to dedicate time to and try to do those things during your time away. Embrace the silence and quiet time and take it as a time to breathe, get in tune with your body, and just be. My Getaway was not exactly what I expected it to be, but it was just what I needed.
This summer, we sent photographer and content creator, Morgan Gust, on a roadtrip to both of our Outposts in the Pacific Northwest: Getaway Skagit Valley outside of Seattle and Getaway Mount Adams outside of Portland. We sat down for an interview with her to hear about her experience, and here’s what she had to say:
My name is Morgan Gust & I’m currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Always on the road & traveling for work & fun though!
Who were your travel buddies for this road trip?
Me, myself, & I!! This was part of a 2-week long solo road trip for me!
What was your route?
Since I was doing a long cross-country road trip & my Getaway stops were a part of it, my route was a bit all over the place! BUT for my getaway portion of the trip, I woke up at my campsite outside North Cascades National Park, then drove through the scenic highway of the park. After that, I headed up to Bellingham, WA for brunch + coffee & explored the city a bit before drive 45 min down to my first Getaway outpost in Skagit Valley!
I spent my evening there & then woke up early the next morning to start my journey down to Mount Adams! I stopped in Seattle at Pike Place Market to grab some produce & flowers & wander around a bit before continuing my drive through Portland! Where I stopped at my favorite camera store, The Portland Shutterbug, & dropped off some film to develop! I finally made it to Mount Adams that evening after a few more random stops for gas & to check out the scenery on my drive along the Columbia River!
So in a nutshell – North Cascades > Bellingham > Skagit Valley > Seattle > Portland > Mount Adams
What were a few of your favorite stops along the way?
As this was only my 2nd time to the PNW, I had a LOT of favorites!! North Cascades really kicked off my trip & was absolutely breathtaking – specifically Diablo Lake!! Definitely a must-see! And also free!!
I also loved Bellingham! It was such a cute city & I wish I could’ve spent even more time there!
What was the inspiration behind your playlist?
After literally hundreds, if not thousands of hours spent road-tripping, I’ve found my absolute favorite songs & artists & love to listen to them on repeat. So when making this playlist, I just added all my favorite feel-good songs that make me want to drive & drive & sing & just drive some more!! The kind of songs that make driving through the middle of nowhere for hours seem like the most iconic, amazing thing I could ever be doing. So this playlist is just a big mix of folk, country, indie & whatever else I was in the mood for!!
What are some of your packing necessities when you getaway?
My number one necessity was a bottle of wine!! Because what’s better on a solo getaway than a whole bottle of wine to myself?! I also had an audio book downloaded, a steak & veggies to cook over the fire, & my film camera for LOTSSS of photos!!
Did you have a favorite part of each Outpost you visited?
Absolutely yes!! My favorite part about the Skagit Valley outpost was definitely just finally being able to absolutely relax, drink a bottle of wine, listen to music & eat good food!! At Mount Adams, I LOVED that there was absolutely no service & I got to completely unplug!! I listened to audiobooks, the birds chirping, & lots of good music!
How did it feel to disconnect and reconnect to nature at Getaway?
AHHHH I cannot explain how great it felt!! As a full-time business owner, I am constantly on the move, working on my computer & phone at most hours of the day. It was so nice to take a step back, spend some time in nature, & just reconnect with myself!
At Getaway, we believe nature is an inclusive space where everyone can thrive. In celebration of Pride, we’ve partnered with three Atlanta-based artists who transformed our tiny cabins into expressive, colorful canvases. Today we’re featuring Anna Sophia Mackey aka SOFAHOOD. Read on to hear our interview with them below, and take a look at how they captured the essence of Pride in their work at Getaway Lake Hartwell.
“I am Sophia. I’m based in Atlanta, Georgia, and I use the pronouns she/they. We are at Getaway Lake Hartwell, and this is my piece, ‘Love Lives Here.'”
Tell us about your journey as an artist.
“I’ve been doing art since I was four. It’s just something that I’ve always done to pass the time and to release emotion and just sort of spark excitement.”
How would you describe your art style?
“I would describe my art as very colorful, very dreamy, and very Black and very gay. For this mural, I really wanted it to look like a dreamscape and I wanted it to obviously invoke ideas of gayness and gay happiness. So, I added a rainbow and clouds in the sun, to sort of exemplify all of that.”
What inspires you?
“I find archives inspiring. I find old pictures of my elders and photos from the civil rights movement, really inspiring along with just my own journal and diary entries. Also, the community around me that uplifts me and my work, by sharing my work for starters, and just showing up for me. And I would also argue that when they show up for themselves, they’re also showing up for me by maintaining that community.”
What is your favorite thing about Pride Month?
“Really my favorite thing about Pride Month is just all the happy gay people just running around in the heat and being just gay and happy.”
What message would you send to those who seek to divide us?
“To those who seek to divide, I would say, find something to do, find a hobby, find a skill, find a task, go to sleep. Anything other than continuing to seek to divide.”
Tell us about your connection to nature.
“I really like the quiet. While I’ve been out here, it’s just been so peaceful. I live in the city where there’s a lot of sirens and screaming and loud music all the time. So to come out here and not hear anything at night, like I haven’t woken up in the middle of the night at all while I’ve been out here except for my friend snoring.”
How do you find balance?
“Well I’m a full-time freelance artist, so I’m pretty much just creating all the time. And when I’m not creating and or working, I’m resting pretty much, so yeah, the balance sort of finds itself given my career choice. So to see more of my work, you can go to my website.”
Make sure to check out the mural Sophia created at Getaway Lake Hartwell during your June escape.
At Getaway, we believe nature is an inclusive space where everyone can thrive. In celebration of Pride, we’ve partnered with three Atlanta-based artists who transformed our tiny cabins into expressive, colorful canvases. Today we’re featuring Maite Nazario. Read on to hear our interview with them below, and take a look at how they captured the essence of Pride in their work at Getaway Talladega Valley.
“Hello, my name is Maite Nazario. My pronouns are they/them, and I am an artist, a muralist based in Atlanta. We are at Getaway Talladega Valley, and the title of my mural is ‘Be Free’.”
How would you describe your art style?
“I have been an artist since I could pick up a paintbrush and a pen. I remember my earliest memories, drawing and sketching everywhere, and my Mom having to put me in art classes because I couldn’t figure out how to not paint on the walls. I would describe my art as research-based, detail-oriented, and involving tons of very precise line work.”
Tell us about the mural you created at Getaway?
“I would describe my mural that I painted for Getaway as a mural where I aim to represent not only nature, but people being free. I think that a big inspiration for this mural is definitely how important it is to admire nature and appreciate it, but also recognize how important it is to let ourselves be our natural best free selves, which to me relates back to queerness and allowing yourself to express yourself fully and be proud and brave about who you are. So for this mural, I did some research about the local flora and fauna, and I wanted to represent the white tailed deer, foxes and butterflies that are local to the area, because I just think it’s important that everyone gets represented, even animals.”
What inspires you?
“So what inspires me always is my community and the people around me who love me. For me, there’s no art process without the people who inspire it. I’ve always been moved to create because of the people around me and the way that they live their lives. Specifically, all of the queer and trans people who have been here before me and here now being brave and proud, that will always be my number one inspiration. And that is the reason why I want to continue to create, to reinforce and give a sense of appreciation to all the people who are living their lives the way that I want to live my life. And I create art to reassure those people that I support them and see them and I want to represent them.”
What is your favorite part about Pride Month?
“My favorite part about Pride Month is getting to hear stories about queer and trans people living their lives. But quite honestly, I wish that there was no need for Pride Month that queer people were celebrated all year round because it’s what we deserve. We shouldn’t just have one month where we are celebrated and uplifted. We should always be celebrated and uplifted because queer people are the path to liberation. And I wish that my community was always treated with respect and equality, but I am happy and thankful that there is one month where we are highlighted, but we need more.”
“So, my community lifts me up by just being themselves. To me, the most important thing anybody can do is be brave and true, because anytime anybody stands up for themselves and decides to live their lives, honestly and truly, they’re not only doing it for themselves, but they’re also doing it for me and everybody else who is existing and queer. And I feel like that to me is the way that my community lift me up by continuing to be true to themselves, by speaking up their truth, by asking to be respected and uplifted and treated like we deserve, like beautiful human beings who deserve to take up space, who deserve to live our lives freely. And, um, yeah, trans and queer people are amazing. They always inspire me.”
What message would you give to those seeking to divide us?
“I personally don’t make art for people who choose to divide. I make art to reaffirm people who are being brave and speaking their truths. To me, the most important thing that I can do with my art is affirm somebody that they’re on the right path is affirm somebody that feels like they don’t have a lot of support. I want my art, my murals, and my drawings to convey that I’m always going to be in support of people who are being true to themselves. If there’s people out there who are being hateful and are trying to divide and oppress, I hope that my art just teaches them to be empathetic. But quite honestly, I make my art for people who are going to see it and feel like there’s a part of them that is in that piece of art.”
Tell us about your connection to nature.
“The most beautiful part about spending time outdoors is getting to reflect on how miraculous it is that we all exist and that we’re all alive. It’s insane to me that the world has so many different species of trees, animals, everything. We are living in a world that is so miraculous, and I think we rarely stop to appreciate it.”
“Being around nature and around animals reminds me that it is important to uphold the way that we are in our natural state. We, by just existing, deserve to take up space, just like deer, just like butterflies. We just deserve to be and exist and breathe and live. And I think that’s an important reminder for all queer people to know that even though there are people out there trying to tell you that what you’re doing is not right, or that your identity isn’t valid, that doesn’t matter because nature is a constant affirmation that you deserve to be here, that you deserve to take up space, and that you deserve to be alive and that you should be celebrated. So, especially trans people in this world are paving the way for what liberation looks like for us. people who are gender non-conforming, trans women, trans men, non-binary people all around the world are teaching cis, heteronormative people the way to liberate themselves from the standards of society to liberate themselves from the box that the boxes that we are born in. Unfortunately, we are the people who are trailblazing what it looks like to truly express freedom in your body and self, in community and in relationships. And I think that listening to trans people, to queer people, to black and brown people is the way to not only respect others better, but to love yourself more. You cannot be free and hate others. You can only be free through love. And I think that the more we listen to the most oppressed is the only way that we’re ever gonna get to a world that is resemblance of peace or love. We just need to continue to listen to people who we know the world has failed, so that we can get to a place that everybody has rights and is comfortable and happy being alive.”
How do you find balance?
“The way that I find balance between work and rest is by trying to be kinder to myself and remembering that if I exhaust myself in one day, that means that my energy levels and the way that I’ll feel the next will deter me from being able to be my best self. And also, thankfully, my partner who is very kind and loving, has taught me to slow down and appreciate the work that I do and not just to continue doing it, rushed from work, to work, to work.”
“My community has also helped me to learn a lot of self-care tips and honestly just breathing and trying to be a little bit kinder goes a long way. But I definitely haven’t found the perfect balance yet. So, I’ll keep you posted.”
Make sure to check out the mural Maite created at Getaway Talladega Valley during your June escape.
At Getaway, we believe nature is an inclusive space where everyone can thrive. In celebration of Pride, we’ve partnered with three Atlanta-based artists who transformed our tiny cabins into expressive, colorful canvases. Today we’re featuring Lisette Correa AKA @ARRRTADDICT. Read on to hear our interview with her below, and take a look at how she captured the essence of Pride in her work at Getaway Chattahoochee.
How would you describe your art style?
“I would say my art style, number one, is super vibrant. I feel like I really pull from my Caribbean roots, and also just from being in south Florida, like when you go to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, it’s a very bright city, so I definitely pull my color palette from that. Another big element is that it’s also a mental health thing, so I try to bring vibrancy in the world because it’s therapeutic, I just try to make people happier.”
“And then I think that another big element to my art is really telling the stories that haven’t been told, and highlighting the similarities that we have as people together versus what continues to be stereotypical things that keep us away from just loving each other and embracing one another seeing how everybody’s heart really is.”
Tell us about the mural that you created for Getaway.
“So, the mural that I created for Getaway is ‘Love Is Love’. I really love plants, so I wanted to really get some nature vibes in my aesthetic with cute little fun cactus and mushrooms because it’s groovy and vibey. I wanted to bring all the psychedelic vibes and then bright flowers and the rainbow. And of course, my signature leopard print. So I really just wanted it to be a really bright environment in this forest, and just bring love and happiness and a safe place for people to just truly be you. And enjoy nature.”
“I hope to express happiness first and foremost with my art. And then, unity, I just feel it’s about bringing people together versus separating people. And I really try to do that with my color palette. I feel like it doesn’t matter what race you are, what walk of life you come from. Everybody loves a bright color palette, so I think that it’s a way to unite all people in this happy loving place.”
What inspires you?
“I would say life first and foremost. I’m super inspired by traveling. I love to travel, mainly to warm places. And I am really inspired just by the people around me. I have a lot of creative friends and they put me onto things that are always inspiring. Having a great circle around you is inspiring. Doing my healing work and learning more about healing and things of the soul is what makes me radiate more. And in that time of me shining, I feel like my art thrives.”
What is your favorite thing about Pride Month?
“My favorite thing about Pride Month is that it’s really a time for everybody and LGBTQ to get together and celebrate us going through our lives, being proud and also having to combat so much stuff but knowing that we’re doing it to pave the way for younger generations to have an even safer place than where we started. So I think that’s my favorite part about it, is just celebrating this because people in the queer world, in the spectrum, I feel like we go through a lot of struggles to be able to stand in a firm place within that role that we take on. It’s not a choice that we have to make, but it’s something that, it’s a sacrifice that we have to just put up with and then you learn how to just flip it into love. And I think that people in the LGBTQ world are some of the strongest people because we always stay happy. Regardless of what struggles we’re facing or what’s going on in the world, what new law has been passed against us. If you go to Pride, everybody is so happy. And I think that’s what it’s about, us standing firm and standing strong in who we are and saying, ‘we are here and we’re not going anywhere and we’re going to love how we want to love.'”
What message would you give to those who seek to divide?
“My message to those who seek to divide us to let people live the same way that you wanna live. You don’t have to agree with somebody’s lifestyle, but we do have to respect each other. As people, we don’t have to all have the same views, we’re never gonna have the same view. So just spread love and peace and positivity. You never know what somebody is going through way deeper than what they’re doing in their bedroom, you know? So it is just all about spreading love right now.”
Tell us about your connection to nature.
“Being in nature really brings me to my indigenous roots. I’m Taíno and so when I’m in nature I just feel really at peace, and I feel one with nature, just even having your feet in dirt, there’s something that is really grounding about that. And I think that, as an artist, especially for me, where my schedule’s constantly busy, sometimes I don’t even know what day it is and I feel like I’m just flowing through life.”
“When you get into nature, you’re able to really ground yourself and have time to reflect, and just like embrace your growth as a person. And I think that it’s even funny me saying ‘growth’, right? Because when you’re in nature, you’re surrounded by trees and they’re constantly growing. Coming in nature, it allows your soul to thrive more and you as a human to taking the time to reflect and grow. I love being in nature because I feel like trees really remind us that we need to take the time to ground and root and grow.”
How do you find balance?
“I find balance, number one, being around my family. They’re a very grounding element for me. Being around my Mom and my aunt, that’s very important to find my balance and just remember where I came from. I love traveling. Every time I travel, I really get to embrace other cultures and it’s a great time to reflect and reward myself for all the hard work that I do. Once I’m able to get away, I really feel that’s what brings it all together for me and it’s my ultimate reward and just brings more peace and solitude.”
Make sure to check out the mural Lisette created at Getaway Chattahoochee during your June escape.
We get a lot of questions from people wondering how to pack for a Getaway. The best part about Getaway is we have almost everything you need waiting for you in your cabin.
You don’t need to worry about linens, shampoo and conditioner, olive oil and salt, or cooking utensils, and we encourage you to bring as little as possible to truly disconnect.
There are some items, though, that are a nice bonus to have around. We’ve put together a packing list of things you just might want for that summer escape.
Hammock
Just because it’s warm out doesn’t mean you can’t still do nothing. Bring along your hammock so you can enjoy the weather and read a good book or just lay back and relax.
Hat and Sun Protection
We all love being outside in the summer, but it’s important to take care of yourself as well. Don’t forget to grab that hat and sunscreen on the way out the door, so you can stay outside for longer. A good general tip is to try to stay out of direct sunlight from 10-4, as that’s when UV rays are the strongest.
Sun protection isn’t limited to sunscreen though – a good pair of sunglasses will go a long way if you’re looking to spend lots of time outdoors.
Bug Spray
For the indoors folks among us, we don’t need to worry so much about this, but if you’re looking to venture out, bug spray is a must. Mosquitos love this time of year, so in order to avoid those pesky bug bites, keep some bug spray handy.
Outdoor Gear for Your Pup
If you’re looking to get away with your favorite canine friend, don’t forget what they need during the summer. Maybe it’s a portable dog bowl to take with you on your hike, or their favorite outdoor toy. This is also the season where pests are particularly active, so making sure your pup is on a flea and tick medication is essential for their long term health.
Your Sense of Adventure
It’s one of our favorite times to get away – going on long walks on sunny warm days, and cooling off in our air-conditioned cabins. There’s no right or wrong way to get away. All you need is a good sense of adventure and excitement for what’s to come.
With these in hand, you’ll have more than enough to enjoy your stay. Don’t be afraid to hide in bed all day though; we do that every time of year.
A Light Layer
Some of the best moments of a Getaway are spent curled up around a campfire beneath the stars. Make sure to pack a light layer to keep warm while roasting s’mores, swapping stories and lessons, and laughing with those who matter most to you.
In the spirit of connecting back to what really matters, our tiny cabins are named after the grandparents of our team members or guests. We hope that our cabins can become a familiar space to which our guests look forward to coming back. From the Lorraine to the Sultan to the Ingeborg, each grandparent we’ve named our cabins after has a fascinating story—we’ll be exploring their stories here in our Journal.
First up: meet Lenore ‘Grandy’ Feldman, whose namesake is The Lenore at our DC Outpost.
Lenore Feldman, (right) and Joan Green.
Lenore Feldman (née Spiewak) was a passionate feminist and organizer, and ‘Grandy’ to Zach Feldman who leads the tech team at Getaway.
A child of immigrants from Russia and Poland to Brooklyn, Lenore grew up surrounded by her hard-working family and their business, I. Spiewak & Sons. The brand lives on in the Spiewak brand name today as manufacturers of coats, bags, and other products. Lenore was also the wife of George Feldman, a prominent Dentist and hobbyist welder.
Her own career included heavy involvement with the local Jewish community—she even served as the President of the National Council for Jewish Women and spoke at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 1989 at the Mobilize for Women’s Rights Rally, on behalf of NCJW (scroll to 1:55:20):
One of Zach’s favorite memories of Lenore:
“Every time we had dinner with her as kids, she would enforce very strict table manners. She said, ‘you never know who you might be having dinner with, you need to be prepared!’ I later found out that she attended a dinner with the Secretary of Defense and the Prime Minister of Israel at the White House, which is where this habit came from!”
‘You never know who you might be having dinner with, you need to be prepared!’
Book a tiny cabin vacation at our DC Outpost and you might end up in the company of Lenore—but we promise we won’t enforce table manners around the campfire.
Novels especially have the unique ability to transport a reader to other worlds, allowing a ‘getaway’ without going anywhere at all.
Reading can be a form of deep focus and escape. Novels especially have the unique ability to transport a reader to other worlds, allowing a ‘getaway’ without going anywhere at all.
As the days stretch out during summer, it’s the perfect season to set aside some time to read, just for fun. We compiled a list of recommended summer reads from our team. Enjoy them on your weekends, off-time, or in one of our tiny cabins. If you book an escape during June, you’ll be entered to win the full list. We’ll select one winner randomly and announce at the end of June.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain—“A fictionalized telling of Ernest Hemingway’s marriage to Hadley Richardson, his first wife. The book transports the reader to the 1920s and gives a fascinating account of Hadley and Ernest’s life together. It’s emotional and heartbreaking and anyone who has been in a difficult relationship (which is everyone, let’s be honest) can relate to it on some level.” -Lisa, Getaway Boston
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner—“A beautifully written novel, but much less dense than his Pulitzer winning Angle of Repose. It’s about a young couple making their way in the world, and there’s a great Getaway-like setting that’s woven into the story from beginning to end.” -Emma, Design
The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson —“A totally nuts, true story that highlights humankind’s obsession with nature and our sometimes unhealthy urge to capture it for ourselves. Read this if you want to learn more than you wanted to know about feathers while also being thoroughly entertained with a true crime story.” -Jon, Founder + CEO
All My Friends Are Superheros by Andrew Kaufman—“This is a quirky, somewhat heartbreaking, funny and short read—easy to read from start to finish in one afternoon. It’s full of astute observations on human nature: what makes us special and what makes us endearingly human”. -Cyrena, Marketing
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie—“I read this for the first time this winter and it was a wonderful adventure. I instantly understood why it was a classic. This book would be the most fun to devour one afternoon in a tiny cabin! “ -Rachel, Marketing
The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down By Colin Woodard —“This is a great, medium-length read that delves into the history of the REAL Pirates of the Caribbean! If you’re new to the pirate world, this book is filled with explanations of common pirate terms like, “sloop” and, “booty”. It was really eye-opening to hear the true story of these real pirates, how they operated before the colonies were paid any attention to, and how they were eventually brought to justice. This is a really interesting non-fiction read and it goes by quite quickly too.” -Zach, Technology
The Gift by Lewis Hyde—“A beautiful reflection on the difference between exchange culture and gift culture. Made me rethink art, relationships, and community.” -Pete, Co-Founder
Malice by Keigo Higashino—“This novel was an Edgar Award Finalist and an international bestseller, and I’m a huge mystery fan. It’s a great mystery novel to read in a Getaway cabin because it’s not creepy or scary, but still thrilling. I can’t really say it better than the Wall Street Journal: “Keigo Higashino combines Dostoyevskian psychological realism with classic detective-story puzzles reminiscent of Agatha Christie and E.C. Bentley.” -Lauren, Real Estate
Happy reading! Let us know what your favorite summer reads are — share photos with us #getawayoften or email us at [email protected].
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