"Glamping" is the new Camping

Memorial Day is approaching,  along with many more opportunities this summer to enjoy the great outdoors.  We are expecting friends from New Jersey to visit us this Memorial Day weekend, and they will be arriving in a large motor home.  Their impending arrival got me excited about the idea of Glamping!
I have never been much of a camper, but admired my high school girlfriends that made camping look like so much fun!  Growing up my Dad would rent a cabin at Bass Lake, near Yosemite.  Our family enjoyed a comfy cabin with a swimming pool, recreation room, crafting station, general store, houseboat rentals and even an ice cream and sandwich shop right there on our campground.
Needless to say, I was shocked when I accepted a friends' invite to go camping the summer after my junior year of high school.  Clear Lake sounded so inviting and time with my friends was highly motivating!  Imagine my surprise when we arrived at our campground and it was a flat piece of land with no amenities!  We had to sleep in #tents, and #hike to the nearest bathroom and bathe in the lake!  No electric outlets for our blowdryers or lighted mirrors to apply our makeup.  Despite roughing it, the weekend was so enjoyable that I attended a couple more of these #camping trips with my dear high school friends!
I am lucky enough to live on a lake and have embraced my "wannabe outdoorsy" style with a bit of glamour, a concept known as "glamping." Think wine glass instead of canteen, candle light instead of flashlight and sleeping oasis instead of sleeping bag!

Veranda.com

Select a glamorous spot with a great view.  Arrange some large pillows, blankets, flowers, candles and always a great book or two!  A great #glamping menu and a portable bar are essential to indulge in some deliciously chic food and drink!

Drinks and Desserts should be dressed up and scream "glam."

use cupcake liners turned upside down over a glass to keep the bugs out of your  drink!

serve drinks in Mason Jars with lids for ease of chilling/transporting

Blueberry Mojitos in Mason Jars
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270778996318272631/

Glamping friendly desserts are less messy than S'mores, but just as yummy and maybe healthier since they all include fruit.

Strawberry Shortcake on a Skewer (store bought angel food cake or pound cake, strawberries and canned whipped cream)

Fresh Fruit in a Flute!  (ok, an ice cream cone, but flute sounds fancier!)

Cherry and Blueberry Pies in a jar are glamping friendly and can be made ahead!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270778996318272644/

Fruit Wands are perfect for all Glamping Divas!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270778996320230178/

OK, so we can't survive in the wilderness on drinks and desserts alone, so here are some dining suggestions for glamping that are more upscale than hotdogs/hamburgers.

This picnic table has a wine trough in the middle to keep beverages cold and at your fingertips!  Definitely on my "wish list" for some backyard glamping!

this could be a fun craft project

a pretty lit up table is very glam!

This is an awesome "Glamper"

Hope your summer is full of Glamping Fun!

Please visit me at rwodecki on Pinterest.com to see all the pictures, recipes and fun ideas that I've pinned on my "Glamping" Board.