I admit that my idea of camping is a rustic hotel with great views. My preference for said views would be the ocean, mountains, lake or a wooded glade, in that order. However, I do love to hike and I especially like to hike out in nature (see above mentioned views). And while I like that hike to be within reasonable distance from my home or a hotel, I do love to walk for long distances, or a good stretch of the legs as my Irish friend used to say. I’m lucky to live in an area where getting out for hikes with great views and fresh air is very easy. In fact, I can leave my house and be up in the hills in a matter of minutes, which I do as often as I can. I love to lose myself and walk for hours, taking different routes and usually ending up far from home (miraculously, there is often a pub at the end of these walks). To me it’s much better than running or even riding a bike because it allows a pace where I can think and really enjoy my surroundings. Therefore, I’m particularly enamored of the new, stylish equipment available today for transporting food, drink and other of life’s necessities (i.e. book, notebook, reading glasses, etc.) into the great outdoors. I suppose this is what is meant by the concept of “glamping” (although not being a glamorous person I prefer “stamping,” stylish camping, or better yet, how about “stalking,” stylish walking). Anyway, we’ve assembled a great gallery of stylish or perhaps glamorous new products intended for life in the camping lane, from wine glasses to grills. I hope you nd it of use to your business this summer.
In today’s fast pace world where we’re always in front of a screen of one size or another, getting far enough away that there is no cell reception or wi-fi is more important than it’s ever been. And just so you don’t think I’m a total lightweight, I do like to rough it. For example, after a long hike, I’m just ne with my hotel not having wi-fi. After all, I’ll be in the hot tub with a glass of wine anyway.
James Mellgren
Managing Editor, Gourmet Business
jmellgren@gourmetbusiness.com