Green glamping at El Capitan Canyon
August 13th, 2010
Photo via Twitpic: Urbanbaby
Just 12 days to go till baby arrives (or sooner; that’s just her “guess” date), so I was glad to have a bit of R&R last weekend at my favorite green getaway: El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara, CA.
Camping isn’t easy when you’re nine-and-a-half-months pregnant, so glamping at El Capitan is the next-best thing: Cabins and tents with real beds inside, a rustic canyon setting that’s a short walk to the beach, and an adorable on-site market that serves up yummy eats if you don’t want to cook your own over your own personal fire pit.
Real-deal campers may scoff at such a cushy vacay, but I say that any way you get your dose of nature is good for you and for the planet: A recent series of studies from the Journal of Environmental Psychology, for one, found that being in the great outdoors makes people feel measurably more alive and energetic.
The only thing that wasn’t so eco about the trip was the half a bag of marshmallows (the junky kind, sorry; those kosher ones just don’t taste the same) I roasted and ate while sipping in the stars.
–Jennifer Grayson
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August 13th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
‘Glamping’ sounds like something out of The Jabberwocky, but since I’m fairly wussy and hate sleeping on rocks or cold showers, I think it’d probably be about my speed. I envy you the marshmallows — I waffle about allowing myself a toasted marshmallow (gelatin and all) if the occasion arises every few years.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Ha ha — you and my husband both, which is why we’ve done more “glamping” than “camping” in recent years. Luckily, there are plenty of fabulous places in California to get that real nature experience without sacrificing comfort. Treebones in Big Sur is another of my favorites, too. Why no marshmallows for you? Is it the gelatin, or just the sugar?
August 18th, 2010 at 7:59 am
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August 23rd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
California is gorgeous, isn’t it? Kevin and I can drive for half an hour and end up by the coast on Highway 1. I think our scenic drives and spur of the moment daytrips are one reason why we haven’t made a serious attempt to go carfree yet.
I’m a vegetarian, so I avoid foods with gelatin. But it’s possible that I might make an exception for a toasted marshmallow — my favorite memory from childhood camping trips.
August 24th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Yeah, car-free in California isn’t really an option — our trip up the coast last October (from LA to Vancouver) was the best ever! Luckily, the rental car company upgraded us to a Prius.
What about vegan marshmallows? Any recommended brands?