For those who may know me, my name and “camp anything” probably never even crossed your mind, yet here we are. When I set foot on the Trailborn Highlands property in North Carolina to experience the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card through a Camp-Cation curated by Chase and Marriott Bonvoy, I’m not going to lie, I was nervous, but open to see what I would soon learn about myself. Now, fun fact: I missed the first day due to the unpredictability of flights and weather nowadays, and in some meta way it felt almost very on par with the theme I took away from this trip: letting go of control.
I tend to get in my head about having new experiences and stepping outside of what’s comfortable, and cosplaying a nature girl made me a little self-conscious. It was constant thoughts like “What if I fall? Can I do this even if I can’t swim?” but what I took away from this entire experience is that I need to release the need always to have control because how am I supposed to fully have new experiences when I’m worried about trying to control the situation?
Throughout the trip, I was able to dive in headfirst to what could be possible. We experienced a combination of outdoor adventures, wellness downtime, and some good Southern dining — many moments I would get to indulge in for the first time. First on the docket was a Glen Falls Guided Hike.
Now, being from Atlanta, I know my way around Stone Mountain like the back of my hand, but this guided hike was a different beast, but in a good way, of course. Going down Glen Falls felt like a fun adventure. Seeing all the greenery and the beautiful waterfalls made me stop and smell the roses and realize sometimes we literally need to touch some grass.
The real challenge was going back up the mountain. Throughout the hike coming down, I was feeling great, and even mid-hike, my other camp crew and I had the option to head back a little early, but I’m definitely the type of person that’s like ‘well if I made it this far, what’s the point of turning back?’ so I chose to stay, and boy I felt it.
When it was time to make the trek back up the falls, I definitely started to second-guess my decision not to head back early. It was a different dry heat that I wasn’t used to, and I needed a break to do some serious breath work. In the end, after a few stops, I made it up, and it felt so good just to let go and allow myself to go through the rough part to experience the joy of accomplishment.
What better way to reward myself than with a pulled pork sandwich from Highlands Smokehouse, which was all the joy I needed. As the day continued, we did some more fun adult camp-based activities, including Cyanotype and making s’mores. I wasn’t aware of what Cyanotype was, and I soon learned about it. For those interested, a cyanotype is a contact print made by exposing UV-reactive chemicals to sunlight.
This activity was probably one of my favorites because it wasn’t as controlled as painting, but a new layer of making art with fewer parameters. I was able to use my instincts instead of following certain instructions, which I think made the experience even better. I picked up all kinds of flowers, leaves, and petals that were made for a double-sided story (before and after the UV).
Leaving the prints to dry, we headed to The Stubborn Bull for a feast of broccolini, chicken, bread, salmon, and more, the ultimate camp dinner. To close the night out, of course we had to have s’mores. As a person who lives for something sweet, it was fun to sit around the campfire and indulge in some gooey, chocolaty goodness.
To kick off the final day of such a fun retreat-esque vibe, I took a trip to the Nordic Spa, where I sat in the quiet and secluded sauna to reflect and gather my thoughts for what would be my favorite activity: River Paddling.
This was new and uncharted territory for me as someone who doesn’t know how to swim and had never paddled, I was like ‘is this really a good idea?’ but also in very Sagittarius nature I’m someone who loves a good adventure so why not? Taking a fun road trip to the French Broad River gave me butterflies. I was extremely anxious about what would happen because, again, what if I fall in?
Still, I learned something deeper, and it had nothing to do with my nerves. I underestimated how adaptable I am, even when I can’t control the situation. Going down the river as a first-timer was a lot more peaceful than I thought. Being surrounded by nothing but nature and hearing birds, the rustling of trees, and the flow of the river was just what I needed.
When I first started the journey, I was nervous, but excited to learn something new. Of course, it was a little rocky, and I definitely got stuck in a tree while drifting, but I didn’t panic or freak out. I let go and found I could maneuver and get myself out with the help of our guides.
You see, when it comes to river paddling, it’s only you in the boat, so you’re able to flow the way you want to and truly let go of trying to make your boat move how you want on command because you’re really at the mercy of the river, which I loved. The two-hour excursion went by quickly, and next thing I know, we were done. I felt so accomplished, and honestly, I could’ve done another batch of hours because it was so freeing to just be one with nature.
Afterward, we headed to take photos, dry off, get changed, and head to our private dinner in a countryside oasis filled with vibrant land, delicious food, and even a live band. All in all, my Camp-cation at Trailborn Highlands was more than just an escape into nature; it was a transformative journey of self-discovery.
Each experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone and taught me invaluable lessons about the necessity of letting go of control. From the challenging hike and delightful culinary experiences to the calm of river paddling, I realized that embracing uncertainty can lead to immense personal growth. I definitely recommend this type of vibe for those looking for a different and more calming summer experience. With the help of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, cardmembers can use it for a stay at the Trailborn Highlands to earn up to 17X total points to redeem towards a future free night.
These moments of adventure not only amplified my appreciation for the outdoors but also inspired me to trust in my ability to adapt and thrive in new situations. And if you’re anything like me when it comes to new experiences, new cardmembers who indulge before August 5 can earn 125,000 bonus points and a Free Night Award that can be redeemed for stays at adventure-focused properties like the Trailborn Highlands.
As I returned to my everyday life, I carried with me the understanding that stepping outside of my comfort zone is where the magic truly happens, and I look forward to pursuing more adventures that will challenge and inspire me in the future.