GET AWAY: CAMPING GETS ROUGH LUXE AT CRESTO RANCH

Photos courtesy of Dunton Hot Springs and Cresto Ranch

You may have heard of Dunton Hot Springs, the tiny, luxurious resort that was once a Ghost Town created around natural hot springs in the Colorado Rockies. What you might not know of is the newly added tents at  Cresto Ranch, 4 miles downstream. With eight canvas tent residences, the new resort offers a different kind of mountain living experience. The tents, with their roll-up canvas sides, create a one-with-nature experience that vary from the cabins up the road. Outfitted in a rustic minimal style, this is hardly roughing it. I tend to prefer tents to cabins, as my summer at Alford Lake Camp in Union, Maine proved.  Sturdy canvas-walled tents  that slept six opened to the Pine trees, and were built on sturdy wooden platforms.  Growing up on the East Coast, spending summers on the Atlantic Ocean, I have always secretly wanted to go to a dude ranch in Montana or Colorado for a summer escape, and eat around a campfire under the stars and soak up the majestic views. My family knows of this desire to be one with nature, and it would be a pretty fun outing. You can actually rent out the entire town of Dunton for a reunion. Fly fish, raft, soak in the hot springs and hike Anasazi Indian ruins to your heart's content.  If you are looking for a camp like experience, this small glamping enclave along the river Dolores in a Mountain clearing might be the perfect getaway.

Living quarters, complete with a stove and writing desk. 

This is no ordinary teepee.

The tents are IN nature.

The living room in the Main Lodge at Cresto in a restored farmhouse.

Plush sleeping quarters.

The dining room at the lodge, all done up in knotty Pine.

WHAT YOU NEED IF YOU GO:

Photo courtesy of Juniper Ridge
A potent natural plant-based soap like  Juniper Ridge Trail Crew Soap.

Photo courtesy of EMS
The new normal of the great outdoors is tick patrol. Do what you gotta do when they make themselves known. Vanquish them with the Tick Key.

Photo courtesy of Best Made

Finding Your Way Without Map or Compass from Best Made Company.

Photo courtesy of NOLS
Wilderness Ethics- Valuing and Managing Wild Places. NOLS changed my life; their teachings further learning to respect the wild spaces we have left. Bear Grylls new outdoor adventure show debuts on NBC this week, and I will be tuning in.

Photo courtesy of Izola
If you really go all out, you may be able to earn a Certificate of Courage. I suggest buying one in advance to have at the ready post-adventures. Izola creates many letterpress certificates for occasions, and take gift-giving further.

Photo courtesy of Izola
An industrial font on this simple khaki canvas Izola pouch will keep essentials dry and close at hand.

Photo courtesy of Steven Alan
A rugged canvas duffle courtesy of Filson will last a lifetime. From Steven Alan.

Photo courtesy of Gorsuch
A raffia Cowboy Hat to help look the part. Available at Gorsuch.

Photo courtesy of Paragon Sports
A pair of leather Vasque hiking boots. The gold standard in hiking footwear.

Photo courtesy of Patagonia
Ward off a chill and wandering wildlife in Patagonia's Nano Puff Pullover in a crazy color.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Adams

A cozy Alpaca throw with long fringe created in Millbrook, New York by Alicia Adams.

Photo courtesy of Coral and Tusk
Bring back a bear. A framed, embroidered cuddly one from Coral and Tusk.