As the weather warms up here in the Northeast, the lure of the great outdoors calls louder. Sweeping views, rolling hills, and fishing adventures abound in the Pennsylvania countryside that is Berks County. Typically, I keep my outdoor activities to a two-hour maximum; an early morning bike ride or an afternoon hike will suffice. But as spring turns into summer, sometimes a full-fledged camping weekend is in order. A few nights under the stars, hanging by the campfire, and exploring on foot sounds delightful. So unfurl your tents, dust off those hiking boots, and let’s get outside!
I’ve always thought of camping as canteen-toting, sleeping-bag-snuggling, TEVA-wearing territory. For someone as fashion-obsessed as myself, this wasn’t always the most appealing way to spend a weekend (espadrilles and campsites don’t really jive). Little did I know there is an entire camping sub-category of a much more glamorous nature.
Get Fancy
Glamping, if you will, is the art of glamorous camping. The concept was started by an Idaho farm girl named Mary Jane Butters who opened a girly-meets-rustic bed and breakfast at Mary Jane’s Farm more than nine years ago. Guests enjoy hot baths in outdoor claw-foot tubs, beds are made with lacy white linens and piles upon piles of pillows, and waffles are served bedside as the morning sun rises. After hearing about this camping fad, we couldn’t help but imagine some whimsical Berks County outdoor vacations in true glamping fashion. Let’s take a look at the juxtaposition between rustic, traditional camping adventures and the more girly, fabulous version known as glamping.
A Place to Stay
For starters, we’ve got to pick a place, and campsites are all across Berks. From the quiet, stream-side locale of Sacony Park Campsites in Kutztown to the Mountain Springs Camping Resort in Shartlesville, a serene spot for your long outdoor weekend is easy to find in this neck of the woods (no pun intended).
After you’ve decided on a place (head over to berkscountyweb.com/berkscampsites for help), it’s time for accommodations! A classic camping enthusiast would get out there with a tent and sleeping bag. East Ridge Outfitters in Blandon has the perfect gear for the tent and sleeping bag route. Make sure your sleeping bag has the right temperature rating for the time and place of your trip. Inside your tent you’ll want to roll out a sleeping pad to create a barrier between the hard ground and your sleepy body. If all of this sounds like roughing it to you, consider the glamping route.
A stylish glamper would skip the tent altogether and opt for a sleek AirStream RV, the vintage kind with the fabulous, rounded aluminum frame. Check out rentnotbuy.com for Airstream rentals near you; prices are generally in the $150/day range. The AirStream will provide some serious indoor comfort; most are equipped with a TV, hot water hook up, mattresses and cooking appliances. A glamper might even bring along warm sheepskins and a folding picnic table for a little al fresco dining in the warm, firefly-laden evenings.
Make Food Fabulous
Speaking of dining, no vacation is complete without the proper provisions! A glamper might come prepared with an assortment of charcuterie, cheeses and delicious wines. Check out Dietrich’s Meats & Country Store for thinly sliced prosciutto and fresh kielbasa (find them at Renningers Antiques & Farmers Market in Kutztown each Friday and Saturday). Pack that charcuterie up with some Vynecrest wines and a fresh baguette and you’ve got yourself a truly glamorous meal on the go. Add in a bit of fresh goat cheese from Dove Song Dairy in Bernville and it’s heaven (count me in for lunch!).
For the more low-key camper, some beef jerky and granola might do the trick, or serve up classic hot dogs campfire-style. No matter your preference for glamorous or traditional camping styles, s’mores are a required end to all outdoor summer nights. Something about graham crackers, chocolate and toasted marshmallows can scream “chic” and “simple” at the same time.
Get Outdoors and Enjoy
Whether you’re out there in your 2013 Hunter Boots (glamping) or your vintage LL Bean Duck Boots (camping), the wildlife that surrounds us here in Berks County is calling your name. Take a fishing rod, grab a kite and get that campfire roaring. Summer is calling you, and there’s no better place to embrace it than right here in your own back yard.
BY LILY OSWALD | PHOTOS BY MARK NESTER
