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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Climate
- Miami Herald
It's Raining, You're Camping-Now What?
You can control many elements when vacation planning but the weather's not one of them. For my first solo camping trip, I would have dialed up days in the 80s with sunshine and a light breeze. Instead, I faced steady drizzle punctuated by torrential downpours with nighttime temps just above freezing. Here's how I made the most of my road trip between two of the Northeast's great mountain regions when Mother Nature delivered late fall instead of mid-spring. The writer's accommodations were hosted. All opinions are her own. The fundamental scout mott0 – be prepared – meant that I checked the forecast. And the news was grim. So I needed to adjust my packing. Out went the bug spray, high SPF sunscreen and bathing suit. Instead, I retrieved my winter clothes from storage, packing the following essentials: Lightweight Cuddl Duds long underwearZip-up Patagonia fleeceWaterproof LL Bean hooded jacketSmartWool hiking socks Once I knew I'd be (relatively) comfortable, I set about adjusting my activities for the trip. My trip wasn't a total washout because the Berkshire and Adirondack mountain regions are established vacation destinations with dozens of attractions. Once I wrapped my head around the fact that I wasn't going swimming or roasting s'mores, I filled my days with fun and my belly with the area's great food. I monitored the forecast closely and when damp pockets opened up between drenching downpours, I headed outdoors for some short hikes, being careful to watch my footing on slippery rocks and muddy trails. Here are my top picks for rainy day camping fun in the Berkshires and Adirondacks with sunshine alternatives if you get luckier than me! Hike to Bash Bish Falls A 20-minute hike from NY's Taconic State Park crosses the Massachusetts border and ends at the Commonwealth's highest waterfall. The final cascade of Bash Bish Falls plunges 60 feet into a crystal clear pool ringed by dramatic boulders. The ascent to the falls is uphill on a wide, rocky trail. If the Weather's Sunny: Longer hikes to the falls are accessible from NY's Taconic State Park and MA's Bash Bish FallsBike the recently repaved 3.6-mile section of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Copake FallsPedal boats and kayaks are available for campground guests at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills Flower Power at the Berkshire Botanical Garden I seek out public gardens when traveling to get inspiration for my own yard. The Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA, is a petite gem with trails winding through classic rose gardens and whimsical topiary installations. They were having a plant sale when I visited. I scored a cardoon plant – a spiky exotic with purple artichoke-looking flowers. And it was only $5. If the Weather's Sunny: Spacious Skies promotes a Spring Bloom trail linking its campgrounds. Pick a bouquet of local wildflowers such as Queen Anne's Lace, Bee Balm and Wild Blue Phlox to brighten your The Wild Center, a 115-acre, science-based nature exhibit with treetop bridges, playgrounds and a music-filled forest. Tour The Mount In 1902, author Edith Wharton designed The Mount, a grand European-style estate in Lenox, Massachusetts. She resided there for ten years, composing many of her most famous works from her bed, including Ethan Frome and The House of Mirth. She was the first woman awarded both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and an honorary doctorate from Yale. Separate tours of the house and garden are included with admission. Seasonal ghost tours are popular, requiring a separate fee and reservation. If the Weather's Sunny: The woods at The Mount are meticulously maintained and feature outdoor sculptures worth Berkshires are home to the world-famous Tanglewood summer festival and Shakespeare & Company theater performances. They're less than 15 miles from Spacious Skies Woodland Skies Adirondack Peaks campground is an hour north of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, featuring a full summer schedule of concerts, dance, comedy and an annual jazz festival. Fort Ticonderoga – It's Revolutionary! Much of the action during the Revolutionary War happened in the region between the Berkshires and the Adirondacks, including the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777. As America approaches its 250th birthday, historical sites are featuring special exhibits and programs. Fort Ticonderoga was seized by Ethan Allen, Vermont's Green Mountain Boys and America's most famous traitor Benedict Arnold in 1775. Costumed guides explain the fort's history and demonstrate colonial trades like shoemaking and tailoring. If the Weather's Sunny: Boat tours are a fun summer activity in the Adirondacks on both Lake Champlain, which separates NY from Vermont, and Lake George, one of the region's most popular family vacation George has a Six Flags Great Escape amusement and water park and Fort William Henry, which featured prominently in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. When it rains on vacation, I don't feel guilty indulging in two of my favorite pastimes: shopping and eating. Bouncing between boutiques, breweries and bistros was a fun way to pass rainy hours. Where to Shop I scored some unique treasures like a monogrammed cutting board from Vermont woodworkers JK Adams. At their Dorset, VT, factory and retail store, you can view the production facilities in action. Here are some of my top spots for shopping near the two Spacious Skies campgrounds where I stayed: MacKimmie Co. in Lenox is the place to go for hard-to-resist throws and a great selection of Frank and Eileen women's head home without pure VT maple syrup from the Sugar Shack. Bonus: They have an interesting, free Norman Rockwell Adirondack gear, camp apparel and a stellar downloadable playlist at Schroon Lake Department Store. Good Eats The dreary weather put me in a comfort food state of mind, so I gravitated towards cozy places with hearty plates like Jackson's Old Chatham House. My favorite discoveries include: The French onion soup and homemade pie are two excellent reasons to visit Pitkin's prime rib sandwich at The Old Heritage Tavern in Lenox was smothered in crispy onion bits and big enough to share, if you get a cup of clam chowder as a find a wide selection of craft beers at Paradox Brewery and solid pizza, too. Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks scheduled a weekend of activities for the Memorial Day holiday, including local food truck 80K Street Plates. Their $25 cold lobster roll was packed full of claw and knuckle meat. I was able to survive and enjoy my first camping trip for several reasons. I didn't stay in a cold, soggy were plenty of rain or shine activities Spacious Skies campgrounds had a fun vibe, despite the weather. Camp Accommodations You can rough it at Spacious Skies campgrounds or enjoy nature from the comfort of your RV. Both the Woodland Hills and Adirondack Peaks sites have multiple lodging options, including tent sites, retro trailers and cabins. I stayed in the Cosmos Cottage, a pet-friendly mobile home in Woodland Hills that comfortably sleeps six and has a stocked kitchen and two full bathrooms. The Cottage comes with complete linen packages, so you don't have to worry about packing sheets and towels. At Adirondack Peaks, my home was a bunk bed in a family yurt that also sleeps six and can accommodate your pets. Fortunately, there was a heating unit since the nighttime temps dropped to near freezing. However, there's no running water or bathroom in the yurt. I carefully planned my evening treks to the nearby bathhouse when there were pauses in the storm. The rhythm of the rain pelting the canvas was very soothing, and I had great sleeps in the yurt. The Spacious Skies concept of building a collection of campsites was launched in 2021. The goal of wife and husband co-founders Ali and Eric Rasmussen was to develop sites with a consistent feel in unique locations. The atmosphere is inclusive and welcoming to all; Spacious Skies is a proud partner of LGBTQ Outdoors and Black Folks Camp Too. My fellow campers included young couples traveling with their dogs and large families kicking off the summer season. One woman I met decided not to sell her 22-foot RV after her boyfriend died. She rented a site at Spacious Skies for the season and plans to commute from her home near Albany for weekends in the woods this summer. The friendly team at the Adirondack Peaks site sent out encouraging texts to guests inviting them to a polar plunge in the pool and an evening screening of The Incredibles in the open-air pavilion with complimentary bags of popcorn. Although I shivered through the movie, I couldn't help but smile. The kids were oblivious to the weather. They raced bikes, squealed into orbit on the massive jumping pillow and happily stomped through puddles. It was heartwarming to see children having fun at play without screens. I'm glad I didn't give up and go home. I awarded myself an imaginary Camping in the Rain merit badge. Will I try it again? Yes, but I'll probably book at the last minute when the forecast is sunny and dry. Read More: Rainy Day at Disney – Tips for Visiting Disney Parks in the Rain The Ultimate Family Camping Packing List Where the Locals Camp: Best Southern California Spots Best Camping Gear Essentials for the Great Outdoors The post It's Raining, You're Camping-Now What? appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Attract Morning Birds With These 4 Magical Flowers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Some flowers do more than just brighten up your garden; they can act as natural bird magnets, turning your outdoor space into a perfect gathering spot for feathered creatures searching for food or shelter. If you want to attract more morning visitors, these four flowers are the best choice for creating a vibrant and colorful oasis for birds. Trumpet Vine Michael Clarke landscape architect, horticulturalist, and founder at Yardwork, told Newsweek that these bold and fiery tubular blooms are full of nectar, which hummingbirds can't resist. With bright red and orange tones, these flowers grow on a plant commonly known as campsis, This is a self-clinging climber—able to grip onto fences, bare walls and other vertical surfaces without support—that can grow as tall as 30 feet. A stock image shows a hummingbird flying by some bright Trampet Vines. A stock image shows a hummingbird flying by some bright Trampet Vines. getty images Bee Balm Also known as Monarda, these bright pink blooms also produce a good amount of nectar, along with aromatic foliage, attracting hummingbirds and warblers, as well as insects like bees and butterflies. According to the Royal Horticultural Society of the United Kingdom, these flowers need a spot in the sun to thrive, and they can rot in waterlogged soils, especially during the winter. A stock image shows the bright pink color of the Monarda flowers. A stock image shows the bright pink color of the Monarda flowers. getty images Sunflowers Perhaps the best choice of flowers to make your garden attractive to birds are sunflowers, which according to Clarke provide shelter and food to birds, attracting multiple species, including finches, sparrows and chickadees. When in full bloom, during the summer, these huge flowers can reach almost 12 inches across, with bright yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center full of yummy seeds. A stock image shows a yellow bird resting on a blooming sunflower. A stock image shows a yellow bird resting on a blooming sunflower. getty images Salvia There are different types of salvia, also known as sage, some grown for their edible aromatic leaves and others for their beautiful long-blooming flowers, that are a nectar source for Hummingbirds. When planted in a sunny, warm, and sheltered spot these Mediterranean plants can live for years with minimal maintenance. A stock image shows a closeup of blue salvia flowers in bloom growing in herbal garden. A stock image shows a closeup of blue salvia flowers in bloom growing in herbal garden. getty images How to plant and maintain these flowers Clarke explains that when choosing flowers, it's best to go for native varieties, which are more effective at drawing local bird species. For best results, these flowers should be planted in full sun, ensuring there is plenty of space to allow airflow and for birds to land safely. Gardeners should water regularly, especially in the first few weeks after planting. "Avoid using pesticides, since birds eat insects, that would be affected by these pesticides" Clarke said. Layering plants by height also helps create bird-friendly levels between taller and shorter blooms, which make it more attractive to most species. The best time to plant is around early to mid spring, for most perennial and annual flowers. A stock image shows two red cardinal birds hanging out by a garden birdbath. A stock image shows two red cardinal birds hanging out by a garden birdbath. getty images Other flowers that can enrich your garden Zinnias, according to Clarke, have seed-rich heads and bright colors that attract finches and cardinals. These flowers not only attract bids, but they are also loved by slugs and pollinating insects. Coneflowers, also called Echinacea, are another great choice when it comes to attracting wildlife, drawing in insects, goldfinches, and wrens. Their shape resembles a large daisy, with a rounded cone-shaped center, and their petals can be orange, pink, red or white. Placing a birdbath or small fountain nearby, says Clake, also helps making your garden more attractive to morning birds, and planting shrubs and trees near flowers will give them a place to hide or rest. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details and they could appear on our website.
