If you had asked me a week ago if I preferred the beach or the mountains, I would have instantly chosen the beach. I’ve always gravitated towards the coastline; something about the sand and sea speaks to me. However, after spending time in a dome with the Glamping Collective on Crabtree Mountain in North Carolina, I have got to tell you that I am a mountain convert.
My family and our latest rescue dog, Nala, drove up the ascent of winding roads towards our dome on the mountain. The scenery itself was intoxicating and borderline surreal. As we parked the truck outside our glamping setup, I was immediately drawn to the fire pit and lounge area that overlooked a view that even the most talented painter would struggle to capture. A vast sea of varying shades of green foliage and various mountaintops beckoned to us, and wildflowers in every shade framed the hillside where our dome sat. As I stood gazing out at the view, a gentle breeze blew through the mountainside and rustled millions of leaves into a chorus that whispered soothingly in my ears to let go of my worries and find peace. It was as if the breeze cleansed my soul and filled me with overwhelming warmth. I was experiencing all these emotions and sensations, and we hadn’t even made it in the front door of our home for the next several days.
My kids and dog raced up the steps onto the wrap-around porch leading to our entrance. Overcome with curiosity and excitement, they burst through the door to explore this oddly-shaped retreat. To my surprise, we were greeted with a harmonious mixture of rustic and modern charm. The interior featured a stunning, wide-plank wall stained in a calming blue-gray hue. The kitchen sported a contemporary vibe and edgy gold fixtures that you would expect to find in a high-end resort. My kids, however, were most intrigued by the elegant and sizable bathroom that boasted heated floors and every amenity you could think of. King-size beds filled each bedroom and proved to be a luxurious place of relaxation at the end of each day. The highlight of the entire dome, though, was the living room. You could sit in any area and be greeted by a transparent wall of glass that gave you a bird's eye view of the mountainside. I know words will do the view no justice, but imagine feeling like you are sitting in the palm of a giant and they are sitting on the side of a mountain. Your view is filled with mountains and a sky riddled with voluminous clouds. Birds frequently soar past at eye level and seem to nod at you in confirmation that you are where you are supposed to be…submerged in nature and its wonder.
The dome itself is luxurious enough that I could have been thrilled to stay inside the entire trip and enjoy the views; however, the outdoor porch spoiled us with a hot tub and expansive outdoor dining area. I found myself in awe during the evenings, gazing up at the immeasurable blanket of stars that winked at us while we relaxed in the bubbling waters of the gigantic hot tub. Hunting for constellations to the sound of playful crickets and late-night avians was a blissful escape. I got lost in the tune, and time seemed to slow. The cares and stresses of life that rode up the mountain with me were blurred and seemed so trivial when staring up at the expanse of our universe. My kids were even moved to moments of stillness, just taking in their surroundings, which never happens in our daily grind. This mountainside stay wove its magic into all of us, preserving each moment in wonder. Whether cuddling on the couch with the family and the pup or playing Uno outside on the dining table, this getaway put life in perspective and made choices much simpler.
I didn’t think I could have been any more impressed with our stay, but we ventured onto one of the many trails offered by the Glamping Collective. My kids chose the Creekside Trail, and we set off, dog in tow, to test our mettle against the mountain. I was so impressed with how well the trails were maintained. It was easy enough that my five-year-old made it on a 2-mile hike but still challenging enough that, as a family, we felt like we had accomplished a feat when we returned home. The trail seemed like it belonged as the backdrop for a Tolkien story. Winding, clover-filled paths led us past numerous wildflowers and giant ferns. My youngest son let his imagination run wild and pointed out the hidden faces of the rock trolls carved in the sides of the mountain we walked past, warning us not to talk too loudly lest we wake the trolls and they try to eat us for trespassing. As we ventured through the trail, we started hearing the bubbling creek the trail was named after. Crystal-clear water trickled and tumbled down a zigzag rock wall into a stone-filled creek draped in moss and greenery. I lost track of time, counting all the butterflies that fluttered around the creek and weaved through the air around us. I wanted to take this entire moment and store it in a bottle so that I could revisit it over and over again.
I would have never thought a glamping experience would be such a life-changing journey for my family and me. I highly recommend checking out the Glamping Collective in North Carolina. If you need the reset button or love nature, make this your next stop. I, for one, know exactly how I will answer the next time someone asks, “Beach or mountains?”