Getaway: Reconnect off the Grid

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As we now start to navigate covid restrictions lifting + safe ways to get away, My husband Vince and I decided to try Getaway back in May. 

Getaway is an Outpost that has several locations around the country and is becoming more and more popular by the minute. If you’ve seen someone pictured in front of the biggest window ever sitting on a bed from inside a cabin, then you probably know what i’m talking about!  

We opted for the Glenwood, WA location about 2 hours away from home and stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. This was a perfect distance-- we weren't too far from home yet felt like we were away from everything. Oh yeah, and as most drives between Oregon + Washington, the drive, otherwise known as the journey, is just as pleasant b/c of how scenic it is. Pictures literally don’t do it justice. 

So, I wanted to share the experience and things to know before you go, should you decide to venture to Getaway!

Booking 

Booking on their site was so seamless and easy to navigate availability, pricing, and payment. I also love how flexible they are with your reservation. We had to shift our trip up a full week + that process was so easy. I just had to log back in and pick the new date to which my payment was transferred to (if you're more than 2 weeks out from your stay).  

  • 1 Week Out: Before our getaway they reconfirmed our reservation. 

  • Few Days Out: They reminded us to download maps/ directions should we lose service (which became critical).

  • The Day Of: They sent our lodging location + code to use for the door. 

Not for improvement:  I feel there could be a clearer understanding of if your specific Getaway location actually has service or not which would then help you have a sense of what your experience will be. 

Off the Grid

About 30 mins from arriving, we completely lost service. Getaways did say there was a chance but didn't think it would happen so far out. With that in mind, we started to make sure to pay attention to the roads + our surroundings just so that we knew where we were on the way back should something happen to our maps. This is where it was important to ensure we downloaded our resources.

Prepping Our Cabin

Once we arrived and before unpacking, we checked out our surrounding grounds and then sanitized the cabin. Then, we brought in all of our camping gear, bins of food, and duffles that we were going to use for the next few days. From there we started to unpack and find a home for all our stuff.


Activities In + Around the Cabin

You’re off the grid, so you have time to think, read, and play the games you normally don’t make time for. With that, we played Uno, read many personal, professional, and spiritual books, Sun bathed, stargazed, went on walks/ hikes, and caught up on some much needed rest all with the backdrop of nature in its purest form. 

Food

With a two-burner stove, we were able to cook stove top + with a campfire…

SN: There was a General Store about 5 mins away from the camp grounds which was helpful for a few things we forgot to bring. Vince didn’t feel comfortable going in so I went on my own. 


Would I ‘Getaway’ Again?! 

Absolutely 100% percent yes! This was an experience like none other that I would love to do again + even experience with others. With that said, I would be very strategic about when deciding to go back. I could see maybe doing this once a year as one way to rest, recharge + break away from the noise. 

When you go, make sure to...

  • Download offline maps to make sure you can get to + from the location.

  • Tell your core circle where you are + when you plan to come back before leaving.

  • Take note of the emergency phones/ contacts around the outpost.

  • Be mindful of the drive there… narrow 2-lane highways, bridges or tunnels, potential mountain climbs, dirt roads.

  • Think long and hard before you go by yourself, especially if your outpost location is completely off the grid.  

  • I think 3 days and 2 nights is the perfect amount of time to truly disconnect. Too much longer could be a bit much (Especially a black couple... in the middle of nowhere… in Washington State... Lol).

  • Really allow yourself to take in your surroundings + get in touch with your thoughts, feelings, emotion, and the ones you're with. Truly be in the moment.