Where should I travel within the US in mid-January?

November 13, 2021 5:12 AM

I thought I had to work over Martin Luther King Jr Weekend (Jan 15-17) but turns out I don't! I'd like to use the time as a mini writing retreat, somewhere in the continental US. Where should I go?

My main goal is a quiet and serene place where I can get a good chunk of writing done, along with nature walks or other outdoors time. I prefer mountains over beach, though I suspect most mountainous areas will be pretty icy/snowy in mid January. I do not want luxury; a self-catering cabin in the woods would suit me just fine, provided there is electricity, heat, and running water.

Willing to travel up to 4 hr from central NC by car (preferred) or flight. I could potentially stay as late as Wednesday the 19th, provided there's wifi for a couple unavoidable work meetings.

(And if there's a place you'd recommend for this sort of thing but at a different time of year, please let me know!)

posted by basalganglia to Travel & Transportation (4 answers total)

Depending on where you are in NC, Shrine Mont might just be within your travel limit. It is a retreat center of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia located in Orkney Springs, Virginia, on the mountainous Virginia/West Virginia border and right next to the George Washington National Forest. It is very busy during the summer season but in winter definitely qualifies as quiet and serene. The native stone Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration and labyrinth would be good spots for different kinds of quiet reflection. There are hiking trails available. Most have a lot of elevation gain but there are some great views to be had. Here is a map of the possible hikes. The very popular Big Schloss hike is also relatively nearby.
posted by jocelmeow at 7:28 AM on November 13, 2021 [2 favorites]

There are lots of rental houses in the NC mountains that are often empty that time of year, though a holiday weekend might be busier, but you should be fine booking now. If you go to the southwest, near Bryson City and Cherokee, you’ll likely see less snow and ice than if you up near Boone. I’d check out rental cabins and houses in Swain County, NC.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:12 PM on November 13, 2021

Oh, I like jocelmeow's suggestion! I'm just nine miles away from Shrine Mont. You'll need to self-cater in the winter (closest full service grocery store is in Mt. Jackson, 14 miles away); there are limited food options 3.5 miles away at Bryce Resort in Basye, VA, a family-oriented ski resort. There's a country store with the basics & gas station there too. January is hard to predict in terms of weather, but mountains, trails, nature, and solitude we can offer!
posted by apartment dweller at 6:14 PM on November 13, 2021 [1 favorite]

My wife and I spent our 10-year anniversary in a cabin in Bland, Virginia, and it was lovely. From that experience, I think a vacation rental like that in southwest Virginia or western North Carolina would make for an amazing writing retreat. I'd suggest searching on VRBO, centered on a few small towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
posted by biogeo at 9:00 PM on November 13, 2021