Being a bride in modern America insinuates a lot of things, many of which include excess: excess drinking, excess single use plastic, and excess spending. Mass consumption is the norm and it’s nearly cliche to stray from this standard. But, it doesn’t have to be.
Simple, Feel Good Stuff
When my girlfriends asked what I wanted to do for a bachelorette trip, I told them that I wished to share space with the people who matter most- have genuine conversations and create moments of connection in nature. Hike. Giggle. Yoga. Journal. Play games. Eat yummy food. You know, the simple, feel good stuff. My dear friend, Liz, remembered a place that left a lasting impression on her childhood, The Hike Inn.
This little nook of magic is tucked away in the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains along the Appalachian Trail. It quite literally ticked all the boxes. You ask, you receive. Thus, Brooke’s Forest Fairies Summer Camp was born. <3
The Hike Inn
Being a sustainability lodge, the entire design of The Hike Inn centers around Mother Nature and how to be a good steward of her resources. The experience begins, as most enriching ones do, with a walk in the woods. Upon arriving at the trailhead, the girls and I embarked on our five mile hike to the lodge entrance. Our hearts were full and packs were light, as the lodge provides everything that you need for a comfortable stay- home cooked meals, bunk beds, & fresh towels.
Above all, The Hike Inn provides space- vast, serene space. The type of space that cultivates peace of heart and genuine connection with its guests and the surrounding forest. As the name implies, The Hike Inn is enveloped by nature with plenty of trails to explore.
We stayed for two nights and nearly three days, most of which were spent simply hanging around the lodge. My lifelong bestie, Katie, organized the trip, and everyone contributed in their own special way. Girls brought yoga mats, cards, polaroid cameras (sorry, Mama Earth! But who doesn’t love the way polaroid pictures capture unfiltered moments? <3) I bought each friend a pocket sized journal with love notes written inside. Likewise, I hunted down some metal camping cups on Etsy with a branded theme for the weekend, because sometimes the cheesy stuff is actually pretty worthwhile.
Despite knowing that my friends would have been happy to rent a beach house, buy plastic penis bubble guns, get matching outfits, and purchase prints of my fiance’s face on a cardboard stick, it was important to me that the bachelorette trip didn’t financially burden them. The Hike Inn rang in at $180 per girl before taxes. This included two home cooked meals a day with the option to purchase pack lunches at around $12 for overnight guests.
Trail Talk
During our hike out, we ran into some new friends from the lodge. They were so pleasantly surprised that this was a bachelorette trip. (#girlsbeingwholesome) When we asked the more mature couples their secret for a long, happy marriage, one woman advised, “Always make time for friends. You need to have a life away from each other to enjoy the life that you share.” Her husband spoke on the importance of open communication and never going to sleep with anger still in the air.
The final woman to share had a few decades of marriage under her wings. She explained that when she needs her husband to understand where she is coming from, she looks him in the eyes, holds his arms, and he holds hers. She gently asks, “Please walk onto my side of the bridge?” before sharing how she feels. This advice struck a chord with me. A simple perspective shift, a moment of intentionality that leads to mutual compassion and understanding.
Takeaways
I suppose that’s the true importance of trips like this. To make time for the friends who you love. To gain a new lens in which you view this world and the way that you interact with it.
So, how was the overall experience? Pretty damn amazing. If you’re looking for a memorable getaway that feels like a warm hug for the soul, book a stay at The Hike Inn.
If you’re a sustainable bride wishing to celebrate your new season of life while honoring your core values, I encourage you to seek out places and spaces like this. Get creative. Be intentional. Brainstorm bachelorette ideas with friends who get you. Above all, have fun with it. Lean into the cheese and let yourself slow down enough to really savor these moments. How often do you get to simply be with your best friends?
