Summer is Here - Let's Go Glamping!

One of the best thing about "camping" is relaxing with a roasted marshmallow and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Wrapped in a cozy blanket, the tall trees keep you close in the inky darkness beyond the glow of the fire. Far from the buzz and clatter of the city, the sky displays a myriad of unrealistically bright stars. Good conversation and the people you love surrounding you. Imagine all the good parts of camping with all the comforts of home.

Enter glamping. To many of us it sounds a little over the top. Even the word roots – glamor camping – are decadent. But, if you can enhance the joy of spending time outdoors by increasing the comfort level – there is no shame in that!

Perhaps it's sleeping in a bed off the ground, in a cabin or RV. Whatever your definition, glamping it is bringing a whole new level of interest to the camping scene. And with the pandemic, the idea of sleeping in a "tent" over a hotel has brought a certain attraction. "Our tents are a great option for those who are interested in getting back out into the world but maybe not wanting to be in a building like a hotel, "remarked Sara Macias, from Iliana's Glamping Village, regarding their tents, "Everybody is able to get to their own private facility and there's plenty of moving air." Sara and her family recently opened their tent glamping village at their resort on Hood Canal. The traditional Mike's Beach Resort included guest rooms and cabins.

Sara's family converted their 70 year old campground area to accommodate the ten platform tents complete with fire-pits, showers and flushing toilets, and affectionately coined it Iliana's Glamping Village after her mother who is the inspiration behind the project.

Further down the Canal the Sund family has found a way to share the experience of their property to more people. Most of the year The Sund Rock Marine Preserve is clamoring with scuba divers hoping to catch an encounter with the famous GPO's – Giant Pacific Octopus and wolf eels.

When the water warms during the summer months, July through September, plankton and algae bloom in the fjord making the visibility go down for divers. This is a perfect time to open the area up to visitors from all over the USA and Canada to enjoy their glamping tent.

A little more basic than Iliana's Glamping Village, Sund Rock doesn't have fans or chandeliers hanging from the tent peak and you need to bring your own linens – but there is a comfortable queen-sized bed, heat, power and the views from this private beach getaway are unparalleled.

On the other side of the Canal, deep in the forest of the Tahuya Peninsula is the Tahuya Adventure Resort. Hosting five spacious tents (complete with real doors and pellet stoves) the facility features a communal kitchen (with a flat screen TV – can we still call this camping?) and even ATV rentals to explore the hundreds of miles of trails in the park. (tahuyaresort.com)

Still not convinced? Check out Travelin' Red's "Glam-picnics." Owner, Kerry Myers (Travelin' Red of Hood Canal Events) and her team have cornered the niche market of offering a glamping picnic at one of the luxury Hood Canal properties she manages.

Kerry works with her guests to design locally sourced menus for anniversaries, birthdays and retreats. "Glamping picnic allows for the menu to be more expressive of the clients' personality," explains Kerry in a recent interview with Tracing the Fjord's Jeff Slakey, "using the furniture on-site at each rental property we theme a memorable experience."

Kerry can also arrange overnight glamping in her custom tent for guests –including full furnishings, bottle of wine, artisan cheese board and light sweet treat. Catered meals can be arranged. For information on rates or customizing an experience with Travelin' Red, call (360) 710-7452 or visit hoodcanalevents.org.

Dosewallips State Park offers platform tents for rent. Situated in a maple forest near the Dosewallips River, the tent sleep up to five people. They are light inside, even on cloudy days.

Each tent has three bunks, a futon, lights, table and heater. Outside is a deck, picnic table, fire grill and utility hookup. Bathrooms nearby. All platform tents are heated but campers must bring their own bed linens. Cabins at Dosewallips are situated among evergreen trees looking towards the Olympic Mountains. Each cabin features a covered porch, electric heat, lights and locking doors. Bathrooms are nearby. Reserve at washington.goingtocamp.com

Belfair State Park is a 65 acre, year-round camping park on 3,720 feet of saltwater at the southern end of Hood Canal. It is noted for its saltwater tide flats, wetlands with wind-blown grasses and pleasant beach walking and swimming. Cabins sleep 5 and are furnished with tables and chairs. Outside is a picnic table and fire pit. Bathrooms and showers are nearby. All cabins are heated, but visitors should take along blankets and warm clothing as evenings can be cool. Reserve at washington.goingtocamp.com

Kitsap Memorial State Park is a 58-acre camping park with 1,797 feet of saltwater shoreline on the Canal. Fields, playground a saltwater beach with tide pools and shellfish harvesting are highlights of this park. The cabins have the added convenience of kitchenettes with mini refrigerators and microwaves. Each cabin hosts a bunk bed that sleeps three and a futon that sleeps two. All cabins have electric heat, lights, locking doors and are ADA accessible. Bathrooms nearby. Outside is a picnic table, fire pit and water. washington.goingtocamp.com.

The Hamma Hamma Cabin in the Olympic National Forest is a historic cabin that offers guests a tranquil setting. Formerly a guard station, the cabin was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The site is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places for the skill and craftsmanship that went into its construction and architecture. The cabin is open year-round. Accommodating up to six guests, the single-story cabin features a living room with a hexagonal bay window overlooking the Hamma Hamma River drainage. There are two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with bunk beds. The bathroom has a flush toilet. The cabin is equipped with a propane heater and propane lights. An outdoor picnic table, fire ring and pedestal barbecue grill are available for cooking and campfires. Guests provide their own bedding, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Reserve at recreation.gov.

Also in the Olympic National Forest, near Quilcene, is Interrorem Cabin. Located beneath stands of old-growth forest, the cabin was built in 1907. Emery J. Finch, Ranger and

Hoodsport pioneer, built the cabin for his new bride. Today, the site offers guests a unique lodging experience year-round. Accessible by car, the historic one-story cabin is a peeled-log building and includes an open porch and a pyramidal cedar shake roof. The kitchen is furnished with a table and chairs, cookware, propane cook range, refrigerator and lights. A propane heater keeps it cozy during the winter months. Reserve at recreation.gov.

Above are just a few ways you can elevate your "glamping" experience on Hood Canal. There is no wrong way to do it. If you prefer backcountry camping, with your home on your back and no connection to civilization, the Olympic National Park has that too. Camp for days and never see another soul in the backcountry areas.

If camping or glamping is not your thing the area has great guest lodging and rentals – with power and flush toilets. Visit explorehoodcanal.com/lodging for a complete list.

As you travel Hwy 101, between Hama Hama’s oysterfarm and the Hamma Hamma Falls FS 25, keep your eyespeeled for a new addition at Mike’s Beach Resort – Iliana’sGlamping Village. Nestled in the trees below the Olympicrange, this former campground has been transformed intoa platform tent village, and no expense has been spared.

For nearly seven decades, the Shultz family has owned and operated their waterfront rustic and welcoming Canal getaway. Mike and Iliana have recently passed on some duties to daughter, Sara, and her husband, Matt, who are also serious about raising some of the best oysters on the Resort’s tidelands. Tracing the Fjord’s Jeff Slakey recently caught up with Sara to learn a little about the history of Mike’s and their expansion into the glamor-camping market.

Following the curve of the valley and arranged to provide privacy and views of the Canal below the road, the cluster of platform tents offer a unique experience that rivals the amenities of a luxury hotel.

Each tent is elevated and lined to protect guests from the elements and include electricity, comfortable queen- and king-sized beds, dining areas, coffee makers, toasters, outdoor BBQs, lawn chairs, fire pits as well as access to warm showers and flushable toilets.

Many of the units include fold out futons for additional guests and all the units are custom furnished with a theme. And yes, there are even chandeliers and fans!

During the summer Mike's Beach Resort plans to feature live music and outdoor grill with oysters and burgers on Saturday nights – but any night will be an experience! Visit mikesbeachresort.com for details and reservations.