attention, writers and editors: dustydave@rusticvacations · 5/5/2016 · to plan your next...

Attention, writers and editors:

All requests for republication of Moose Mountain News material must be in writing, clearly stating the purpose and manner in which the material will be used. All republished material must carry a www.RusticVacations.com credit. Editing copy is allowed. In addition to being able to click on images for high-res versions, there is

a complete high-res Photo Library at the bottom of each article. No photo credits are required. For permission to reprint a Moose Mountain News story: E-mail [email protected]

Issue #1.1

The Great Outdoors is a Great Idea

Fantastic family vacation destinations that are within a three-hour drive of 20 major U.S. cities

Get outta town!

So what makes a vacation in the outdoors so great? Of course any vacation is what you make of it, but one of the major advantages of taking the family into the wilderness or at least to a lakeside cabin is that you can avoid some of the major hurdles that a family bonding trip can encounter at a more modern resort. A hurdle being something that competes with your goal of actually getting closer to your family such as TV, video games, internet access and of course the dreaded cell phone. Hotel vacations can often end up with your kids spending most of their time in the room watching movies or text messaging their friends. You might as well stay home if this is the case. You would definitely save yourself a lot of money, time and frustration.

Instead, the idea is to spend some quality time together. To actually talk to your kids and your spouse, roast marshmallows, go fishing, ride a horse, look at the stars, and even find out what fresh air smells like. This may all sound very obvious, but it is very easy to get caught up in the same ol’ routine week after week and never get around to going somewhere. There’s no time like the present to start planning. The following selection of rustic destinations were selected to make it easy for you to get started on your outdoor adventure as a family. These destinations are all three hours or less by car from a variety of major U.S. cities. Their convenient location should make it easy for you to take off after work on a Friday and still make it to your cabin for dinner. Do yourself a favor; do your family a favor, and start planning a trip today. You won’t regret it.

"...roast marshmallows, go fishing, ride a horse, look at the stars, and even find out what fresh air smells like."

“Can’t we just eat dinner as a family for once? Is that too

much to ask?”

Electronic Zombies

Beep, beep-beep, beep. “What are you doing?” “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making a burrito in the microwave.” “Yes, I see that you’re making a burrito in the microwave, that’s not what I meant. Do you see that the table is set and I’ve been working on dinner for the past hour?” “Come on mom, I told Jamie I would go with her to the mall. She’ll be here in five minutes.” “Can’t we just eat dinner as

of 10Moose Mountain News

6/13/2009mhtml:file://C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\SEVEN FOXES\MEDIA ...

a family for once? Is that too much to ask?”

Does this sound vaguely familiar? If it does then you’re not alone. The meaning of the word family is getting farther and farther away from what it once was and what most of us believe it should be.

Tat, tat-tat, tat, shwoom, ka-boom! Yeah! “Mom, I killed another one!” “That’s great honey, why don’t you take the dog for a walk. Some fresh air will do you both some good.” “Come on mom, I’m almost to the fifth level, never been there before.”

Children are becoming increasingly overweight, unmotivated and disrespectful to their parents. Basically, they are a new generation of electronic zombies. Now is the time to make a change. Remember when you would hear those aging rock stars mutter that ever so famous phrase, “We’re gettin’ the band back together.”Now is the time for you to get the family back together. Not that you need to make a statement out loud or anything, but make it inside your head. You need to have a plan and you need to start now. The biggest problem that parents face is the competition with all the distractions of today’s high tech world. Between the 24-hour TV programming, video games, cell phones, computers, emails and iPods, etc., it’s a wonder we ever get to see our children any more. It doesn’t just affect our children, it also affects us. Husbands and wives can just as easily be sucked into the cyber world and begin to feel distant.

So how do we break the cycle? Well, first of all, you need to get to a place where these distractions don’t exist. It’s actually easier than you may think. The website, www.RusticVacations.com, makes it easy for you to find any number of great outdoor getaways suitable for your entire family. Picture this: As you are sitting around a crackling fire in your log cabin playing a board game, your kids are roasting marshmallows and discussing which of them is going to sit in the front of the canoe tomorrow. In the background you can hear the faint fluttering call of the loons: ahwheeheho, ahwheeheho. Now doesn’t that sound good?

To get you off on the right foot, the following is a selection of some great outdoor vacation spots just three hours or less from a variety of major U.S. cities. Start with one of these, then do your own homework with the help of the rustic website to plan your next vacation. Enjoy your trip!

“We’re gettin’ the band back together.”

Above is the NEW book:

The Top 100 Most Beautiful Rustic Vacations of North America - by Dusty Dave

Tips to help your family weekend getaway be a success:

• Bring some board games: Scrabble, Monopoly, Uno, Trivial Pursuit, etc.• Do something goofy like buy everyone a weird hat that they have to wear.• Get a book of campfire or ghost stories.• Play word games in the car such as finding objects that begin with A, then B.• Get t-shirts made such as, “The Henderson’s Family Vacation #1 to…”• Give everyone a funny name with a nametag: My name is Elmer Fudd.• Get your kids excited with a camping type gift (Swiss Army knife or compass).• Begin a tradition of collecting something from each vacation (unique rock, etc.)• Consider making a rule that no phones, iPods or video games are allowed.• Do not start off with unrealistic expectations, let it evolve into a great trip!

News Flash!

This just added to www.RusticVacations.com

A totally new section:

The Top 20!

- Top 20 Guest Ranches- Top 20 Fishing Lodges- Top 20 Country Cabins- Top 20 Romantic Retreats- Top 20 Family Vacations

This is the first part of a four part series.Part 1 Cities: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus



COMING SOON: Part 2 Cities: Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City

Part 3 Cities: Los Angeles, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New OrleansPart 4 Cities: New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle

3 hours or less from ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Buser's Lakeside Retreat, GeorgiaPHOTO QUALITY: FAIR

Cabins at Seven Foxes, N.C.PHOTO QUALITY: GOOD

Southern Cross Ranch, GeorgiaPHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT

Buser’s Lakeside RetreatBlairsville, Georgia

Located on beautiful lake Nottely, just outside Blairsville, this lovely three-bedroom cottage is perfect for a fun filled family getaway. Sporting a large deck off the back, you should prepare yourself for lovely evenings of watching the sunset on the lake and coaching your kids in the best way to catch fireflies. Days, on the other hand, will be actively packed full of swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking. Although, after all that exercise you may be happy to hear that there are some more mild mannered things to do in the area such as antiquing and flea marketing (if that’s even a word), plus a guaranteed feather in your cap if you take the little ones on the ever so popular Blue Ridge Railway. In addition to Blue Ridge, other neat towns like Hiawassee and Young Harris are also very near, so fret none dear traveler, endless opportunities for day trips abound.

Rates range from $100 to $125 per night for two people plus $10 for each additional person. For more information, refer to their website at www.buser-lakeside-retreat.com or call them at 706-745-0511. Distance from Atlanta: 115 miles (two hours)

Additional photos below in photo gallery

Cabins at Seven FoxesLake Toxaway, North Carolina

Nestled on seven acres in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains are five cabins at the Seven Foxes. These cozy cottages are totally decked out with every amenity you can imagine including complete kitchens, gas fireplaces, air conditioning and private porches. If it’s available, make sure and ask for the Deer Lodge cabin, it has an added bonus: a soothing Jacuzzi. You will be happy to know that your neighbors are friendly, but they are also very furry. Yes, a fine selection of miniature horses and goats live right next door and will most likely be begging for your undivided attention. Tell them you will chat later, at the moment you are off on a journey to find the perfect picnicking spot at one of the many nearby recreation areas. These include the Pisgah National Forest, Gorges State Park, Dupont State Forest and Chimney Rock Park (where Last of the Mohicans was filmed. Also, if you like waterfalls, this is the jackpot! There are over 250 waterfalls in the immediate area.

Rates range from $145 to $265 per cabin per night and pets are allowed. For more information, refer to their website at www.sevenfoxes.com or call them at 828-877-6333. Distance from Atlanta: 170 miles (three hours)


Southern Cross RanchMadison, Georgia

Spread out on 200 hundred acres of gently rolling Georgia countryside, the Southern Cross Guest Ranch will satisfy even the heartiest appetite for horseback riding. Add to this the fact that it’s just one hour from Atlanta and you will have to look pretty hard to find an excuse not to make a weekend trip out of it. What’s so great about a guest ranch though? One huge advantage of a visiting guest ranch is that you never have to leave the property if you don’t want to. Everything is right there and planned out for you. All your meals and activities are included so there’s no driving around worrying about finding a restaurant that can seat all six of you for dinner. It’s basically stress free. And, for the folks that would rather look at horses as opposed to riding them, the ranch has a bunch of mountain bikes and a great big swimming pool.

Rates range from $160 to $210 per person per day, less for children. This includes horseback riding, meals and mountain bikes to ride. You can also bring your own horse for a small fee. For more information, refer to their website at www.southcross.com or call them at 706-342-8027. Distance from Atlanta: 60 miles (one hour)


3 hours or less from BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS

3 hours or less from CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA



Race Brook Lodge, MassachusettsPHOTO QUALITY: GOOD


Earthshine Mountain Lodge, N.C.PHOTO QUALITY: GOOD

Race Brook LodgeSheffield, Massachusetts

For a low-key, relaxing country retreat in the fabled Berkshires, Race Brook Lodge is an excellent choice. This beautifully restored 200-year-old New England post and beam barn has all the charm in the world and is guaranteed to leave you feeling utterly refreshed. Days here are often filled with hammock naps, dips in the pool or skipping rocks in the brook. To build up an appetite though, you may opt for a slightly more strenuous afternoon of hiking, biking, fishing or even navigating a canoe down a nearby stream. When you do get hungry, grabbing a bite to eat is easy since they have their own on-site restaurant called the Stagecoach Tavern, which serves up some seriously tasty fare. The lodge offers 30 spacious rooms and as to not spoil your tranquil stay, they are all phone and TV free. For families, they offer a country cabin or one of several cottages complete with multiple beds and kitchens.

Rates range from $100 to $300 per room or cabin. Breakfast is included. Pets are allowed in select rooms. For more information, refer to their website at www.rblodge.com or call them at 1 888-725-6343. Distance from Boston: 145 miles (two and a half hours)


Cabins at Seven FoxesLake Toxaway, North Carolina

Also less than 3 hours from Atlanta. Nestled on seven acres in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains are five cabins at the Seven Foxes. These cozy cottages are totally decked out with every amenity you can imagine including complete kitchens, gas fireplaces, air conditioning and private porches. If it’s available, make sure and ask for the Deer Lodge cabin, it has an added bonus: a soothing Jacuzzi. You will be happy to know that your neighbors are friendly, but they are also very furry. Yes, a fine selection of miniature horses and goats live right next door and will most likely be begging for your undivided attention. Tell them you will chat later, at the moment you are off on a journey to find the perfect picnicking spot at one of the many nearby recreation areas. These include the Pisgah National Forest, Gorges State Park, Dupont State Forest and Chimney Rock Park (where Last of the Mohicans was filmed. Also, if you like waterfalls, this is the jackpot! There are over 250 waterfalls in the immediate area.

Rates range from $145 to $265 per cabin per night and pets are allowed. For more information, refer to their website at www.sevenfoxes.com or call them at 828-877-6333. Distance from Charlotte: 155 miles (three hours)


Earthshine Mountain LodgeToxaway, North Carolina

Resting atop one of the most picturesque ridges in the Appalachians, Earthshine Mountain Lodge is the quaint country inn you’ve always dreamed about. Here you can hang out on the porch in a rocking chair or in one of their many hammocks. Or, if you are looking for something more active, you can go for a hike on a variety of trails that offer up views of pristine mountain terrain, waterfalls and rivers. For the real thrill seekers, they have a ropes course complete with a 31-foot climbing wall and exhilarating zip line. Then there’s the 70-acre century-old farm, which gives guests the unique opportunity to travel back in time and learn some old-school skills like blacksmithing and wool spinning. Did somebody say hee-haw? Find your inner farmer by learning to care for horses, goats, sheep, chickens, donkeys and ducks. Whoa, that’s a lot! But that’s not it. Add to that: evening sing-a-longs, scavenger hunts, magic shows and story telling.

Rates range from $170 to $220 per person per day, less for children. Meals and activities are included. For more information, refer to their website at www.earthshinemtnlodge.com or call them at 828-862-4207. Distance from Charlotte: 155 miles (three hours)


3 hours or less from CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 3 hours or less from COLUMBUS, OHIO



Hawk Valley Retreat, IllinoisPHOTO QUALITY: GOOD

Marcia's Bed & Breakfast, IllinoisPHOTO QUALITY: GOOD

Harvest Moon Cottages, OhioPHOTO QUALITY: GOOD

Hawk Valley RetreatGalena, Illinois

Hawk Valley is all about relaxation and family time. Kick back on the deck with the cat, throw the Frisbee around or choose more of an explorer attitude on their ten secluded acres complete with fishing pond, gardens and walking trail. You may also want to consider challenging your kids to some classics like Scrabble, croquet, badminton or horseshoes. Of course you should let your kids win, at least once, maybe. In the evening you can celebrate your victory and give your acceptance speech for your dominance in horseshoes by roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. The nearby town of Galena is full of fun things to do as well. There you can take a narrated trolley tour, play some golf or try out a new restaurant. There are even a few local wineries that offer tastings. Accommodations at Hawk Valley consist of two guestrooms in the main house and three new cottages complete with kitchens and covered porches.

Rates range from $100 per room per day to $200 per cottage per day. Breakfast and cookies are included. For more information, refer to their website at www.hawkvalleyretreat.comor call them at 888-777-6016. Distance from Chicago: 165 miles (three hours)


Marcia's Bed & BreakfastOttawa, Illinois

There’s a little bit of something for everyone at Marcia’s B & B. It’s kind of like a big bowl of candy where you’re sure to find something you like. Besides the usual can’t-go-wrong outdoor activities like hiking, biking and canoeing, you can add to the list that they are only 25 minutes from Starved Rock State Park. A park by the way, which has over 2000 acres, 13 canyons, tons of trails, a nature center and even a dam. As far as accommodations, Marcia’s main house has several comfortable guest rooms or you can opt for a little more seclusion in a private cottage with kitchenette and wood burning stove. For people who don’t like corners, ask to stay in the Round House, which is actually a converted metal grain bin with a funky loft and an indoor swing. Pets are not allowed, but since their horses can get lonely, they said that you could bring yours.

Rates range from $75 to $150 per room or cottage per day. Breakfast is included. For more information, refer to their website at www.innsite.com/inns/A001790 or call them at 815-434-5217. Distance from Chicago: 85 miles (one and a half hours)


Harvest Moon CottagesRockbridge, Ohio

Located in the very heart of the Hocking Hills Region, full of forests, woodlands, rock formations and waterfalls, the area is an outdoor lover’s paradise. There’s so much to do here that choosing the activities may be your toughest decision. As well as fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking and horseback riding, you will also find attractions such as Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave and Cantwell Cliffs. Of course that doesn’t mean that you have to do it all. Your stay at Harvest Moon can be as relaxing or energetic as you want it to be. The cottages themselves are carefully concealed in over forty acres of rugged wilderness landscape full of clear streams and craggly cliffs. Each cottage has a stone gas-log fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen complete with microwave and dishwasher. Outside your cottage, you will find a hot tub, gas grill, fire ring, stars and plenty of fresh air.

Rates range from $135 to $315 per cottage per day. For more information, refer to their website at www.harvestmooncottages.com or call them at 866-212-8411. Distance from Columbus: 45 miles (under an hour)


3 hours or less from COLUMBUS, OHIO

Heartland Country Resort, OhioPHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT

Inn at Cedar Falls, OhioPHOTO QUALITY: GOOD

Smoke Rise Ranch Resort, OhioPHOTO QUALITY: GOOD

Heartland Country ResortChesterville, Ohio

The kids are going to love this place and you will to. Between horseback riding and helping with the care of all the numerous animals (chickens, cows, horses, cats and dogs), there won’t be much time left to even remember what the word bored means. Those activities don’t even include the recreation barn, which offers up mountains of its own

Inn at Cedar FallsLogan, Ohio

How would you like to stay in the same type of cabin that our original settlers actually lived in? You can do just that at Cedar Falls. They offer charmingly rustic accommodations in actual 1840s style log cabins. They also have cozy cottages and antique-filled bed and breakfast rooms, but the old cabins are definitely the most unique. Each has its

Smoke Rise Ranch ResortMurray City, Ohio

Who would have thought that you could live the dream of being a cowboy on a real 2000-acre working cattle ranch in the middle of the Midwest? It is hard to believe, but it’s true. The Smoke Rise Ranch offers trail rides, cattle drives, team penning and cow cutting. Dust off that cowboy hat because it’s time to Cowboy Up! The wildlife viewing is



fun in the form of a pool table, numerous board games and a bunch of puzzles. As far as lodging goes, there are two options to choose from. One is to stay in the spacious loft above the barn and the other is to pick one of the nicely appointed suite rooms in the large log home. Both are excellent choices. If you want to treat your kids to a fun weekend getaway that’s not even an hour from Columbus, pack up the car and head out to Heartland Country Resort, they will thank you for it.

Rates range from $120 to $195 per suite per day for two people, $20 for each additional person. Breakfast is included, other meals and activities like horseback riding can be purchased. For more information, refer to their website at www.heartlandcountryresort.com or call them at 800-230-7030. Distance from Columbus: 45 miles (under an hour).


own deck and porch swing, cooking area, gas-log stove and a nice wooded lot so you can listen to the birds making their music in the morning. Several cabins even have two person whirlpool tubs. For meals, you only need to travel a few feet to dine at their excellent on-site restaurant. There you can enjoy delicious entrees or, if you are planning on taking a hike, they will make you a brown bag lunch. Legend has it that the brown bag has a special treat in it, a triple chocolate brownie.

Rates range from $100 to $250 per room or cabin per day for two people, $35 for each additional person per day. Breakfast is included. For more information, refer to their website at www.innatcedarfalls.com or call them at 740-385-7489. Distance from Columbus: 52 miles (under an hour)


spectacular as well. Since the ranch is located just a few miles from Burr Oak State Park and is bordered by the Wayne National Forest, which totals over 30,000 continuous acres, there are animals running all over the place. Besides that horse that you’ll be sitting on, don’t be surprised if you see your share of beaver, deer, turkey, raccoons and squirrels. The lodging options at the ranch are just as varied as the wildlife. You can choose from really primitive camping sites, to rustic cabins all the way up to deluxe ranch style homes. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a great time!

Rates range from $70 to $100 per cabin per day for two adults and two children. Horseback riding is $35 and hour. They also offer full week or weekend family packages, which include cabin accommodations, horseback riding and meals. This option costs around $200 per person per day, less for children. For more information, refer to their website at www.smokeriseranch.com or call them at 740-767-2624. Distance from Columbus: 70 miles (one and a half hours)


PHOTO GALLERYYou are free to use any of these photos for editorial purposes, just click on the images for high-res versions. No photo

credits are required. They have either been supplied by the rustic vacation property or taken by Rustic Vacations. The small images below are actually twice the size as they appear to be and should work fine for any web usage.

(Thumbnail images are 3x4 at 120 ppi, High-Resolution images are 3x4 at 400 ppi)

3 hours or less from ATLANTA, GEORGIA




ATLANTA, GEORGIA continued

Cabins at Seven Foxes, N.C. Cabins at Seven Foxes, N.C. Cabins at Seven Foxes, N.C.



PHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT PHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT PHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT

ATLANTA, GEORGIA continued

Cabins at Seven Foxes, N.C.PHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT



3 hours or less from BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Race Brook Lodge, MassachusettsPHOTO QUALITY: FAIR TO GOOD

Race Brook Lodge, MassachusettsPHOTO QUALITY: FAIR

Race Brook Lodge, MassachusettsPHOTO QUALITY: FAIR TO GOOD

3 hours or less from CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA




CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA continued

Earthshine Mountain Lodge, N.C.PHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT













3 hours or less from CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Hawk Valley Retreat, IllinoisPHOTO QUALITY: FAIR

Hawk Valley Retreat, IllinoisPHOTO QUALITY: EXCELLENT

Hawk Valley Retreat, IllinoisPHOTO QUALITY: FAIR

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS continued

Hawk Valley Retreat, IllinoisPHOTO QUALITY: GOOD



3 hours or less from COLUMBUS, OHIO






COLUMBUS, OHIO continued





Inn at Cedar Falls, OhioPHOTO QUALITY: FAIR







CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE MOOSE MOUNTAIN NEWS HOME PAGE

I would love to hear your comments on how to make this concept better [email protected]

You can see all of these amazing rustic vacations and thousands more at www.RusticVacations.com



Also, don't forget about the Rustic Media Section with info about the website, Top 100 Book, Dusty Dave and tons of rustic photos for your use.

