The unplugged family getaway

Article

Why it works better here

Families do not usually fail at unplugging because of willpower. They fail because there is nothing to do instead. A cabin on 65 wooded acres solves that by handing everyone a default activity in every direction: a fire pit that needs tending, a fishing pond, trails out the back door, a hot tub, and a kitchen big enough that cooking becomes a group event rather than a chore.

Plan the first evening, then stop planning

The restlessness peaks on the first night. Have something ready for it: firewood bought, marshmallows in the bag, a card game in the car. Then it passes. By the second morning nobody asks.

• Cook at least one meal together. Every cabin has a full kitchen, and it is the easiest way to get everyone in one room.
• Fish the pond. It is catch and release, no license needed, and it holds a nine-year-old's attention for a surprisingly long time.
• Hike something short and dramatic rather than long and impressive. Old Man's Cave is half a mile away and does more in a mile than most trails do in five.
• Keep one phone on for emergencies and put the rest in a drawer. Making it a rule for everyone, adults included, is what makes it work.

Bringing the dog, and bringing everyone

Several of our cabins are pet-friendly, so the dog does not have to be the reason you do not go. And if "family" means eighteen people rather than four, the eight units here sit on one property, so groups regularly book several cabins and spread out without losing each other. The FAQ covers how that works.