our Getaway weekend
Recently, I had one of the coolest travel experiences, and Y’ALL NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT. I was invited to spend a weekend at Getaway’s new Atlanta outpost, AND they even let me bring my crew of crazies. If you haven’t heard about Getaway, it’s essentially hipster meets glamping, meets tiny cabin. Go stalk their IG for a few hours, and then come back. I’ll wait.
our tiny home for the weekend
each cabin is uniquely named after grandparents of Getaway staff and guests.
view of the outpost from our cabin
The first thing that impressed me about Getaway was their on-point communication. A member of the team texted me the information I needed, AS I needed it. For example, when I was looking for the lockbox code to enter our tiny cabin, I didn’t have to go searching through my messages, because the recently sent text was at the top. Also, there was a REAL person texting me back, who could answer any last minute questions. I also loved that I was allowed (possibly even encouraged?) to bring Jackson, our GIANT black lab, who is nearly the same size as the cabin. There was even a beautifully displayed Barkbox waiting for him when we arrived, which was such a nice touch.
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the goodest boy
(If you’re wondering whether my kids instantly began fighting over the box of treats, well, I think you already know the answer to that.)
(If you’re wondering how long it took them to realize they were fighting over DOG treats? Spoiler alert: longer than it should have.)
We arrived at our cabin around 10pm on Friday, due to Atlanta traffic and kids who were CERTAIN they didn’t need to pee… unless we were in a remote, inconvenient, and slightly murder-y location. Then they needed to stop 37 times each. We found our cabin (the Stanley), and quickly realized how tiny these “tiny cabins” were. AG was all UH-OH, while John questioned whether we could fit inside “with all the unnecessary shoes I brought.” Which was just as HILARIOUS as it sounds.
As we unpacked, I began to realize just how much “hidden” storage our cabin actually had! I mean, it wasn’t Sherri Shoe-drobe kind of storage, but in the end, we unpacked neatly (ish) and didn’t have to worry about tripping over large bags. (Just large dogs, but Jackson was busy enjoying his Barkbox treats, so we don’t feel bad for him.)
Our cabin did come with an adorable baby shark, though. And if I ever hear that song again, I might possibly lose my freaking mind.
Our cabin was around 200 square feet, and had a two burner electric range, a good sized sink, the cutest under-counter fridge I have ever seen, and a table for 4. (For a closer look, check out my Getaway highlight on my IG profile) We found a basket of “provisions,” available for purchase, which we realized about the time the kids were done plowing through two bags of Swedish Fish. There was also a queen-sized bunk bed situation, and Bo was beyond excited about having a “slumber party with sissy!” I could tell that AG shared his excitement by the way she exclaimed “EW!” and DO I REALLY HAVE TO SHARE A BED WITH HIM?? #siblinglove The entire end of the cabin was a huge window with a beautiful view, and once I stopped panicking about Bo launching himself over the top bunk railing, we all slept soundly. Btw, the designers of the cabins were clearly geniuses (or parents. Or both.) because they provided easy-to-lower blackout shades for each window. I cannot even tell you how clutch those shades were, because A) they prevented my kids from waking me up at 5:30, and B) they prevented ax murderers from watching me sleep. Everyone wins. Except for the ax murderer.
Saturday morning, we woke up and decided to go for a little hike, on a relatively flat, 3 mile section of the nearby Appalachian Trail. We tried to explain to the kids that some people actually hike from Georgia to Maine for FUN, and Bo is all “I WANNA DO DAT.” And then AG goes, “do you mean crazy people?”
We grabbed a quick lunch at the Bootleggers Grille (WHICH WAS AMAZING, and not to be missed!), and then my kids joyfully hiked the entire 3 miles, while happily consuming nutritious snacks, and thanking me profusely for this unique experience in nature.
Hahahaha, NO. That only happened in my mind. In the real world, it was more like Bo tripping over tree roots a minimum of 47 times, eventually opting to ride on John’s shoulders. AG providing the constant dramatic freak outs over bears. (In retrospect, maybe I shouldn’t have told her that bears love Cheetos, just like the ones she brought in her backpack). Cheetos are apparently our version of the “healthy and nutritious snack.” But even with all the Cheetos, the complaining, and the NOT finishing all 3 miles, WE HAD A BLAST. Without our phones.
When we got back to the cabin, we ate a delicious meal (Southwest Chicken Bake, c/o my girl @hopefullyplated-message her if you are as untalented in the kitchen as I am), and then played monopoly by the fire. We may or may not have SLIGHTLY DISTURBED our meditating neighbors, as some of us are SLIGHTLY COMPETITIVE. After taking it down 17 notches, we made s’mores, and asked each other some discussion questions, provided by Getaway. For example, I now know which one of us practices phone calls before she makes them, and which one feels zero anxiety while he “wings it.” I know which one of us doesn't even know how to work a phone yet. And then there’s the other one of us, who prefers to make her phone calls by NOT CALLING AND TEXTING INSTEAD.
It was a pretty epic weekend, tbh. And even though, yes, this post is #sponsored, I would have been equally obsessed with Getaway, had it not been. To truly understand this fantastic experience, you need to GO see for yourselves.. (Scroll down for a coupon code for $25 off your entire booking, because we likey the discounts.)
And the Getaway team won’t leave you high and dry in the woods, with no phone. Tech-free time can be admittedly, a little scary, and if you’re all, hahahaha don’t even talk to me about meditation, believe me: I feel you. But, Getaway leaves a book full of suggestions, including the aforementioned questions for your travel partners, riddles that I couldn’t figure out without the help of my 9 year old, and instructions on forest bathing….WITH your clothes on, let me be clear.
I even had a few epiphanies over the course of the weekend, which included:
It’s wine-o-clock at all times when you're sharing 200 square feet with your husband, children, and adult human-sized dog. Just kidding. (Or am I?)
Just because a space is small, doesn’t mean it has to be short on amenities. Full-sized shower, Pharmacopia products, and thick, soft towels? It’s like they already know my camping style. Which involves NOT ACTUALLY CAMPING.
Meditating is really helpful. Especially when your children are playing a game called Find the Biggest Stick and Hit Each Other Repeatedly.
We are definitely our best selves when we don’t have our faces buried in our screens. John and I are present and engaged, and our kids actually play together. Mostly without complaints and arguing, while coming up with some really creative ways to have fun.
Don’t worry guys, you’ll get no lecture from me about how we are ALL ADDICTED TO OUR PHONES, and how THIS GENERATION IS DOOMED. Because, to be honest, sometimes a mom’s gotta be productive. Or go to the bathroom alone. Or survive an 8 hour road trip that was only supposed to take 5. NO JUDGEMENT HERE, SISTER.
All in all, Getaway reminded me that not only do I love my family, I actually really enjoy them too. It also encouraged me to create little “mini-getaways” in my daily life, and force gently suggest that my kiddos do the same.
Our Getaway is one of my favorite family memories to date, and I think it would also be awesome with just your significant other. Or a couple of friends. Or just YOURSELF. In fact, a solo getaway sounds pretty perfect, because sometimes you just need to sleep for 3 days, and NOT hear how the meal you prepared “hurts” somebody’s “feelings.”
Here’s the best part…you can save $25 on your Getaway if you use the code SHERRI25 when you book online. And saving $25 is really investing money, so multiply by 4, carry the 2, and then divide by some nonsense….your Getaway is now free. Ish.
(To be clear, you will have to pay.)
Until next time,
