Happy Fall, y’all! Thank you, Karen, for inviting me to guest blog for Petticoats & Pistols! It’s so awesome to be here among those who love history. Like many of you, I’m drawn to all things historical. Hubby and I recently spent a weekend “glamping” in the Appalachian foothills of Kentucky near the Cumberland Falls State Park in a covered wagon.
The wagons were so fun! We roasted marshmallows on the campfire and made skillet steaks one evening. Our wagon had two electric lights, a mini fridge, a microwave/toaster oven, a desk area, USB chargers built into the nightstands, a king size bed with heating pads, bunkbeds, and a fireplace!
As you can see by these smiles, we found the wagons charming and comfortable. I fell in love with the desk countertop and could easily have spent a week writing there. On our second day here, we also went hiking along the Cumberland River to see Cumberland Falls, take in the autumn scenery, and photograph the wildflowers.
Would you enjoy an outing like this? I had to laugh because the state park has hiking trails everywhere, but one of the signs said, if you see a black bear, run away, and make lots of noise. The bear will think you are weird and leave you alone.
I’m also giving away to one commenter a paperback of Cherry Crossing, Book 1 from my new series, Montana Meadows. The series follows the story of three orphaned sisters surviving on the claim their Pa proved up in Montana Territory in the 1870s, Jocelyn (Josie), Jacqueline (Jackie), and Jillian (Jill). Each book focuses on a different sister. Readers tell me the characters come to life and really jump off the pages. Book 2 is titled Sparrow’s Hope, and Book 3, Silver Mountain. These sisters are quite independent. They can shoot like Annie Oakley and look out after themselves. Although each heroine clashes with their strong heroes, circumstances eventually lead to love as they find their “happy ever afters.”
Ask me about our glamping getaway or anything about my writing and one random participant will win a signed paperback copy of Cherry Crossing! You can find out more about my books and sign up for my newsletter at https://www.LisaPrysock.com.
And here’s a link to Cheltowee Trace Adventure Resort if you’re interested in rafting, kayaking, hiking and reserving one of these wagons or a cabin in Kentucky to experience a similar adventure to experience the pioneer life for yourself.
Looks fun! Hope the bathhouse wasn’t too far away.
Thank you. Lol, a short walk, thankfully.
It does look fun. I wonder how long the fun will last.
Lovely for a weekend getaway.
I would love to know what the inside dimensions of that wagon was. That was so cool!
Oh goodness, I have no idea. It felt spacious for two.
State parks in arizona have signs that say watch out for rattlesnakes. I’m more of a tent type person ruffing it.
Yikes!
Welcome, I loved your blog, I love outings where I can see history, our country’s ancestors hard work, and how they struggled to give all of us the amazing country we live in now. Your book sounds amazing.
Thank you so much, Tonya! I love historical outings, as well. For two nights, we felt a little taste of making our home in a covered wagon to experience what the pioneers may have felt, only ours had heat, electric lights, and refrigeration. We have it so much easier these days. ? I’m thankful for technology, but so appreciate our history.
That sounds like so much fun. I would love to do that. We did something similar near Mount Rushmore.
How fun! I’m sure it was a memorable experience.
Good morning. I loved your post. Sounds like something I would like to do. Have a good day.
Thank you so much, Yvonne, and I’m glad you stopped by.
His, Lisa. I would love to do something like this. What was your favorite part of the experience?
I loved sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows and hiking along the waterfall, in addition to being in the cozy wagon with a fireplace. My husband made us some delicious skillet steaks, too!
That should be “Hi, LIsa.” I guess I hadn’t had enough coffee yet this morning.
No problem. I understand. I’m clutching a cup of coffee right now.
already a subscriber and this wagon is awesome!
Thank you so much, Teresa!
We stayed in the Cumberland State Park this spring. What an awesome area! I would love camping in a covered wagon. It wouldn’t necessarily have to be as fancy as yours, but I would love it! Thanks for coming today to tell us about yourself and your books.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the area as much as we did. The waterfall sure was beautiful.
If I was younger perhaps, but with arthritis no thank you to staying in a cover wagon.
True! Camping is physically strenuous. Just packing the car is a bit of a workout! ?
Great post and pics, Lisa! I would love glamping in a covered wagon. Don’t know that we have such a thing in the Northeast ;o(
If you ever come to visit Kentucky, it’s a thing. ??
That sounds so fun! My hubby probably wouldn’t go, but I have some friends who would like staying in a covered wagon. Thanks for the article about it. One other thing, I just noticed you and I are in an anthology together! You’re way ahead of me on the author journey. Did you start out writing short stories as well? 🙂
Hi EV! That’s so cool! I guess my earliest writing as a youth would be termed short stories and such.
What a great vacation spot. I have seen “real” covered wagons at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City Oregon and can’t imagine a queen size bed fitting in one.
I would love to see the ones in Oregon.
Aw, I want to stay in wagon! How cute.
Heather, you’d love it!
Did you have any heat in the wagon? Did you see any bears? I hope not. The closest I have gotten was perhaps 25 feet from a mom and her cubs in Cade’s Cove just outside of Townsend, TN. I love that part of the Smokys. It appears you had a super time.
Hi Judy! We had quite a bit of heat from the little fireplace, and the heating pads on the bed really helped. We did not see any bears. Thankfully. Lol
Hello Lisa, Love The camping in a covered wagon it sounds like it was so amazing and I would totally enjoy something like this The Bed looked so comfortable! Was it very cold outside when you went? Thank you for the giveaway of your book it sounds like a great story! Have a Blessed weekend!
Hi Sarah! It was cold in the evenings. I want to say in the 50s. The heater really warmed up our wagon nicely. I enjoyed the fact the fireplace came with a remote control.
Looks fun. Where’s the bathroom?
The bathrooms are about twenty-five or thirty feet away from the wagons. A short walk and very clean and heated.
How well did you sleep? Did it feel like camping at all?
Hi Roxanne! I think it felt like upgraded camping. Lol We slept very well.
Welcome, Lisa! Thanks for coming. Wow, I didn’t know those covered wagons were so roomy! My goodness. Man, I’d love to stay in one. How fun! Wishing you much success with your Montana Meadows series!
Thank you so much, Linda. We really enjoyed our experience.
Looks like fun! How far was the toilet and washroom facilities and did they maintain its cleanliness. That is always one of my first concerns with camping or glamping.
Hi Cherie! I was very impressed with the bathrooms. They were very close, clean, modern, heated, and they even had a shower house.
Looks like fun! Though I’ll admit, I’d rather have the “amenities” in the same place, but at least they weren’t that far away!
Yes, we were very surprised at how nice everything was.
Did you sleep good in the covered wagon, or did you hear a lot of scary night noises?
I slept very well and really enjoyed it. It was peaceful and comfortable.
It looks like fun. It sounds like you had a great time.
Thank you so much, Diana. We enjoyed this getaway.
Lisa, I saw this on your Facebook page! I can guarantee you if I see a bear, I will definitely scream, holler, yell, and make a lot of noise! I sure love your books!
Hi Lana! I’m so happy you were able to stop by. Lol yes, I will make a bunch of noise if we ever see a bear and run away fast. It makes me so happy to hear you enjoy my books.
Hi Lisa, wow, that looks and sounds like alot of fun! Have a great weekend . Thank you for sharing this with us.
Hi Alicia! Thank you so much!
This looks like a wonderful way to spend the weekend. Several glamping areas have sprung up in our area of TN in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains. They have even contacted local farmers about leasing their land to set up glamping areas. Our daughter worked at a Boy Scout camp in VA and her unit was wagon train. They had wagons circled and the hikers would spend the night in them, have a meal cooked on the campfire, and go on a wagon ride. She loved it and worked there several summers. Obviously, your wagon was much more comfortable than a sleeping bag on the floor.
We have looked at several glamping options and might give it a try one of these days.
Hi Patricia! It sounds like a great experience for your daughter. Yes, these were set up within a wagon circle. I hope you get to try it out sometime. We really enjoyed it. My husband loves camping and I am more of a please give me great amenities person. This was way better than regular camping for me. We loved it.
Hi Lisa. It looks like a fabulous place to Glamp. Do they make the wagon’s handicapped accessible. I would not be able to manuver the steps. It looks like a fabulous place to enjoy. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
That’s a great question. I think they had cabins that would be better for your needs. There are two more steps inside the wagon and I think four on the outside.
Did you get attacked by any bugs or see any creepy crawlies? That’s one of the biggest deterrents for me when talk of camping comes up.
Hi April! Like you, I’m very bug squeamish and was so pleased we didn’t even have mosquitoes. It was great! I brought bug spray and didn’t have to use it. I did use our flashlight walking from the campfire to bathrooms. Lol
I’m glad you enjoyed your adventure!
Kentucky sounds beautiful!
I live in central Wisconsin during the summer. There is a wild animal place a few miles from our home which offers glamping along with hunting elk etc. I’d prefer a tent.
Either way it’s great to enjoy the outdoors!
Hi Laurie! I went to kindergarten in Wisconsin. Beautiful area. Yes, Kentucky is lovely. I hope you get to try out the elk place for glamping. It sounds fun!
Your trip sounds like a lot of fun. I live in Kentucky and have been to Cumberland Falls a few times but didn’t know about the place with the wagons. I think I would enjoy that.
oh my goodness, what a wonderful get a way. Were these the actual sizes of the real wagons? Your book looks great. Thanks for sharing with us about your vacation. Did they know you are a writier?