Friendcation Manifestation:
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5 of my dream friendcation locations
The landscape of socializing has drastically changed over the course of the last couple years. Keeping in touch with friends has become an intense exercise in patience and upkeep. In the before times we were so wild and free, meeting up for coffee or a quick bite to eat was commonplace, comfortable. There were parties to go to, concerts, birthdays, weddings, bachelorette/bachelor weekends away, the social scene was bursting with possibilities. These days the environment of gathering feels so uncertain still, I find myself holding back on inviting people over or out; asking the question “is this allowed yet?”. I am aware that not everyone reading this will relate, even though as a collective we went through it “together” it was also a very personal and specific experience for everyone. Some of you are parents who have had a solid village of family and fellow parents that you could pod with, some of you might prefer the isolation, and some of us feel like it is the first day back at school after a summer away at camp and you haven’t kept up with friends as well as perhaps you should have. All this to say, I’ve lost touch with some people and maybe you have too.
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This list is fully selfish on my end. It is completely based in a make believe world where all of my friends are free and available to take a week off of life and run away to the hills with me. This is where I might lose some of you but in my make believe week away there are no kids allowed. Hey, I told you it was selfish! Besides, who wouldn’t want a little time off from their parental duties? So if you find yourself fantasizing about treating a bunch of your buds to a vacation to some rad locations treat this list as a mood board, a place for manifesting future memories to be made. And if you know me personally and read this, consider it my unofficial, date pending, invite to a week away. Hope you can make it.
Tap the photos below to book your friend escape!
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Travel safe and be sure to check on local COVID restrictions when planning your trip!
Chalet Shaw
Stone Ridge, New York
It is a hot summer day in the Catskills, you and a few friends just finished an amazing albeit sweaty hike. Back at the house the sane members of your group are lounging by the pool only walking to get a refill or to jump in and cool off. This amazing escape feels miles away, tucked back down a long, tree lined driveway but you are only a few minutes to a great selection of dining, hiking and endless other extracurricular activities. The beauty of Chalet Shaw is that there is so much room to spread out when you’re here. With three levels of living space, a game room and the aforementioned pool you won’t really find too many reasons to leave except for more snacks and beverages. It feels like the dream setting for that classic summer week where the memories that you make are the ones you think of when reminiscing about the “good ol’ days”.
Maine Lake House
Weld, Maine
It’s hard to really explain how but this camp brought out my inner child. That reason alone is enough to make me want to hunker down here for a week with a bunch of friends. It feels like summer camp! Kayaking, swimming, hiking, late nights under the stars cooking on the grill or maybe it’s down to the fire for ghost stories, it is a haven for vaca action. Rise and shine with pancakes made on the large griddle located on the deck then make your way down to try your luck at spotting a Moose in the lake. Take a morning paddle, or if you’re like me, an early morning polar plunge on those brisk late summer days. This cabin is absolutely perfect for a low key time of catching up with each other and taking it slow. Parting will be such sweet sorrow however I can easily picture it being a yearly tradition.
Clapper Hollow
Jefferson, New York
This right here is the inspiration for this entire blog. The moment I stepped foot into Clapper Hollow I was making a mental list of all the people I want to take here and cook for and spoil and entertain, etc. You get the picture but just know the hype is real. Is it the sprawling property speckled with retired fish ponds? Yes. Is it the top notch, world class sledding out back? Yes. Is it the luxurious interior that makes you feel like upstate NY royalty? YES! There are so many wonderful things! Regardless of the time of year the opportunities are endless! While it is conveniently located for plenty of activities spanning from hiking to breweries, there is notshortage of things to have fun with while you’re here. With a pond designated for swimming and another for kayaking, hiking the 15 acres of private property, everyone can be outside exploring and soaking in the beauty of it all. Gathering everyone in the enormous dream kitchen and preparing a feast of feasts is for sure on my bucket list. Brb gonna go manifest this real quick!
Tahoe House
Stateline, Nevada
You’ve just spent the day out in Tahoe, maybe you were skiing Heavenly in the winter, no you were exploring the lake in the summer in a crystal clear kayak all morning and then hiking down to a hidden swimming area, maybe it was a bike ride oh wait a hike? Whichever season you arrive, no matter what you're up to during your trip you will be grateful for the conveniently located and extremely comfortable retreat of Tahoe House. Minutes from nightlife AND nature? That is just how awesome this location is. So let's say you were out hitting those black diamonds all day, wouldn’t it be nice to soak those weary bones, well you can in the spacious hot tub out back, equipped with TV to catch up on all your stories. A perfect end to the day will be cozying up by the fire and sinking into a night of games and stories.
Storm King Mtn House
Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York
So this might be kind of cheating but I already stole a couple friends away to stay here for a week. I have tested the goods and they pass inspection. This is a grade A friend escape. With three floors of fun, a huge deck under the cover of towering trees, a wood fired sauna and a whole mountain worth of hiking just outside the door. It was a stupendous time and I look back on it fondly. It was late fall and unseasonably warm, we set up art & crafts on the dining room table, we baked an apple pie, we danced, we slept in; but most importantly it was just us having a great time. It is a great location because it is extremely convenient to the highway while being far enough up the mountain not to notice. The access to hiking trails without needing to drive is also an amazing accommodation that definitely needs to be taken advantage of! We felt like royalty at the end of our wild week on Storm King.