“Don’t ask any questions, don’t touch it, and don’t try to peek under the sheet.” These were Matt’s instructions as he hauled a mystery box half the size of our sofa through the front door to our tiny apartment.
Ummm, what? Doesn’t he realize there is no cap to my level of curiosity? I don’t think he realized in his attempt to stifle my questions he was actually ensuring an interrogation that could only be rivaled by the likes of the Spanish Inquisition.
Was he hiding a dead body? Is this why the chef knife needed sharpening? Dulled by hacking through bones. Had he just robbed a bank and accumulated a pile of money that could only fit in this mammoth-sized mystery box? Was I aiding and abetting his criminal activity? Or maybe he just dropped major cash on a life supply of double stuf Oreos he wasn’t too keen on sharing.
For a few weeks, I maintained my distance from the box. I refrained from shaking it (something I never mastered with Christmas gifts as a child) but the questions flowed like the mighty Zambezi River. And then, something magical happened.
The Unveiling
When I think back to the moment, my brain is flooded with imagery from television game shows. Go ahead Vanna, light up that letter. Let’s see what consonant is hiding behind that blank canvas. Hey Bob Barker (or is that Drew Carey), I AM ready to see my showcase! Sans Barker’s Beauties or a pretty new dress, Matt lifted the sheet to reveal a… cooler! A cooler? I mean that’s “cool” and all but why the secrecy? It wasn’t even filled with a body, cash, or Oreos. Darn, I even stocked the fridge with milk. Apparently this was a clue to my birthday weekend and he didn’t want me asking too many questions. Who, me?
That’s when he filled me in that we were going camping for my birthday! He does remember our last camping experience, doesn’t he? That one didn’t turn out so great. But he ordered this new cooler
Where we Stayed
Deep in the heart of Garrett County, Maryland in the town of Oakland, we pulled up to our home for the next few days. Matt booked us a stay with Wild Yough Glamping Huts. A campsite comprised of a few small glamping huts, a community bath house, and a common space stocked with all the camping necessities. Except the beer. Luckily, Matt remembered to bring plenty of that for us, hence the massive new cooler. Wild Yough is a beautifully curated property surrounded by plenty of hiking trails and it is not too far from Deep Creek Lake.
Our glamping hut was named “Delta” and it was clear that the owners of this property really put a lot of thought and care into the design of their space. No detail had been forgotten. We were even surprised with a birthday treat waiting on our table upon our arrival – the makings for s’mores. The perfect gift when there is a fire pit just a few steps from your bed. We definitely put them to good use.
When we weren’t stuffing our faces in front of the fire, we were hanging out in the common area. Unlike our glamping hut, there was electricity here. Lights to play cards under and a place to charge our phones. When your phone is not just a life line to social media, but also your main source of navigation, this is kind of important.
What We Ate
Sure, there were plenty of hotdogs and far too many of those aforementioned s’mores, but that’s not all! Oh no, too many years of late night infomercials have seeped deep into the crevices of my brain. Admit it, you were too lazy to change the channel too. Mmmhmm…
One of our favorite ways to spend a few hours on any given day is at a brewery. So when in an area we don’t visit regularly, we didn’t want to miss the chance to check out some craft brews. With our fully charged phones (thanks, Wild Yough) we found ourselves sitting down to lunch at Mountain State Brewing Co. We ordered up a big, fresh salad hoping to negate the effects of the carcinogen-laced wieners from our last meal. The smell of the pizzas from their wood-fired ovens floating through the air ALMOST made us rethink our decision. Every plate of food that whizzed by us looked great. If you decide to ditch the campfire for a meal, you should definitely go here.
We made a rookie mistake and forgot about our morning coffee. Instead I made Matt stop at the nearby Walmart to pick up some hot chocolate. This was a good addition to our morning bacon and eggs, but next time we will definitely remember to throw our french press in with our gear.
Nearby Attractions
Just a short drive from our glamping huts we found Swallow Falls State Park. We went for a quick hike and then hung out by this waterfall for a bit. I imagine this area is most beautiful in the fall when the foliage reaches its peak.
A little bit farther away, but worth the drive, is Deep Creek Lake. If spending a day on the water is what you’re after, this is where you’ll want to head. Renting a kayak or some jet skis are an excellent option. We decided to stay dry and instead spent some time at The Wisp Resort. Feeling adventurous? Be sure to take a ride on the mountain coaster. I kicked Matt’s butt at some life-sized checkers before we headed back to our cozy fire at the glamping huts.
Whether you’re an experienced camper or not so sure you belong in the woods, this is a great way to spend a weekend. The huts themselves have beds and there’s access to the shared bath house with running water and hot showers. Each hut has its own fire pit but there is also a larger community pit to use if you go with a group of friends. We think it would be an awesome time to have a bunch of couples rent out all of the huts for a weekend away. You can cook onsite but if that’s not really your thing, there are enough options for food nearby that you won’t go hungry. We’re already looking forward to our next stay!
Have you been glamping before? Are there any glampsites we should visit? Let us know in the comments!
Cheers,
Megan + Matt
Comments
That’s where your uncle Mike’s folks come from and we spent some time up there. Nice article.
Hey! I know that couple! Perty nice folks!