www.greaterzion.com
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GLAMPING BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Zion Weeping Buffalo Resort
Glamping? Do you love the rugged outdoors and at the same time love some of the conveniences that you have at home or in a hotel? Perhaps you love the outdoors but the idea of camping or roughing it does not appeal to you? What if you could live in the land of “and”? Living in the land of “and” means you can have both the rugged outdoors and many luxuries at the SAME time!! Glamping does exactly this! The glamour part signifies luxury and amenities that defy the definition of the word camping. You might have a hot tub, running water, a bed, shower, and kitchen facilities WHILE you are camping. Some glamping units even offer A/C, WIFI, and queen or king beds. On the other hand, the camping part brings in nature and a closeness to nature that cannot be defined in any other way. Possibly, the camping part is less the dirt, the set-up, and takedown, the cleanup, and grime. So, let me introduce you to “Glamping” … glamour, meet camping. Camping meets glamour. Glamping is camping in luxury. It really is different from the regular beaten path of the tourist herd and moving into nature with a fresh perspective. It is a fresh approach to viewing nature and connecting with the beauty of the earth. This transformation of conventional camping is designed to enrich and feed the soul at the same time it stuns with incredible environments or circumstances. For example, how would you like to experience living in a teepee for a night or two or a week or month? Or how about a pioneer Conestoga wagon? The experience is available locally and you can even have the modern conveniences of
inside plumbing and outdoor cooking. Of course, shopping is nearby! The parties continue. Glamping allows one to experience cultural immersion bringing with it a broadening of horizons and an inside awareness of how much harder life must have been on the outside many, many years ago. Glamping allows one to experience a reach into the past, while at the same time enjoying modern-day amenities that make it bearable. And it allows one to exit the superficial tourist traps in exchange for a real-time experience of the now and then combine into a unique experience called glamping. Oh yes, let’s not forget the possibility of Green Glamping. For the Eco-minded this is an excellent choice. The experience invites conservation and sustainability with the education of how each one of us can make a difference in that way. For many, this is a paradigm shift that changes their life. This is high respect for nature and communities while learning to minimize the physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts of your environment. May I suggest cloth bags, eliminating single-use plastic, eating locally grown food, and learning about the local flora and fauna. Glamping in this way becomes a truly unique experience. It becomes a destination dating from the past. It can bring a portion of the past to the present with venue and structure. It brings history to life with a rich and unforgettable experience. Contributed by Tama Hughes
