Slowly Emerging From Our Homes
The spring season will emerge this month. Encouraging, but cautious news that the pandemic might subside has turned our thoughts to travel. Emboldened with vaccines, many will take to the roads. Some of us pilots will rush to the airport, dust the snow from our airplanes and take to the air. Scientists tell us to be very careful. This scourge is not over. The opportunistic viruses will strike and multiply at any sign of weakness or inattention. I intend to follow the wisdom of the scientists. If you elect to travel, it is suggested that you select a venue where crowds will be at a minimum and where you can engage in most activities out-of-doors.
For recommendations, two of my favorite resorts come to mind. If you want to avoid taking a commercial flight, both of these destinations have friendly general aviation airports, as well as nearby major airports. Each houses a moderate number of guest quarters. Both offer extensive outdoor recreational opportunities and are conducive to social distancing. There are no guarantees, but if your urge to find a change of scenery is overwhelming, these two destinations offer some alternatives that might be safer.
Family Cabin at Alisal Ranch. (Nicki Sebastian)
The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, 1054 Alisal Rd., Solvang, CA 93463, 805/693-4208, www.alisal.com.
Approximately 125 miles north of Los Angeles and a few miles from the quaint Danish-American village of Solvang lies this 10,000-acre upscale dude ranch.
The Alisal’s ranching roots reach back to 1810. At that time, the region was inhabited by the Chumash people, who called the land “Nojoqui,” or “Honeymoon Place.” Settlers later moved into the valley to raise cattle for the Mission Santa Inés and the Mexican Government. They renamed the land “Alisal,” meaning “grove of sycamores.” More than 200 years later, The Alisal has evolved into a luxury outdoor getaway.
Enjoy the miles of horseback riding trails at The Alisal Guest Ranch. (Courtesy Alisal Guest Ranch)
The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort offers 73 private guest cottages and suites, more than 50 miles of horseback riding trails, two 18-hole championship golf courses, a 6,500-square-foot spa and fitness center, six tennis courts and a 100-acre spring-fed lake with water sports, including fly fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Spanning across 10,500 acres of rolling hills in the Santa Ynez Valley, the Alisal has been considered the premier full-service guest ranch for couples, families, and conferences. Since 1946, this secluded hideaway on the central coast of California has offered a getaway with wide-open spaces and a multitude of outdoor activities for all ages. Here is just a few of the outdoor options the Ranch is now offering.
California Ranch Cookouts: Launched last year, the Ranch will continue with a series of outdoor cookouts. These sumptuous dinners will take place in the Rodeo Arena and the Oval Lawn.
The Unbridled Retreat: In April, meet Devon Combs, the world-renowned leader of the life-changing Unbridled Retreat for Women. Her comprehensive and skilled life-coaching techniques guide women to seek clarity and purpose through the healing power of horses.
BBQ Bootcamp: During April 30-May 2, 2021, BBQ Bootcamp is a jam-packed weekend of hands-on workshops, panels, tastings, and meals. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the region’s iconic Santa Maria style grilling techniques along with local wine and beer tastings. All-inclusive pricing starts at $1,095 for double occupancy. The package includes luxury studio accommodations for two nights, all meals, workshops attendance, welcome amenities and weekend accessories, keepsake booklet of notes and recipes and a breakfast ride to the Old Adobe by horse or hay wagon.
To ensure the health and safety of guests and staff, all experiences at The Alisal are held in accordance with state and county guidelines. The protocol includes (but not limited to), physical distancing, hand sanitizer and wash stations, personal protective equipment, and face covering requirements in public spaces. In addition, as the first hotel partner of biosafety company, R-Zero, The Alisal has added hospital-grade UV-C to daily disinfection practices across each of the property’s 73 guest cottages, suites, and rooms. R-Zero's UV technology disinfects both surfaces and the air, destroying 99.99 percent of known pathogens and diseases, including the coronavirus.
The Airport. Santa Ynez Airport (KIZA) is an old favorite of mine. At 624 feet above sea level, the field has one runway. Runway 8/26 is 2800-feet-long with GPS and VOR instrument approaches. Santa Ynez Airport FBO, 805/688-8390 offers 100LL and Jet A fuel. Back in the 1950s and through the 1960s we often flew to this field for a visit to Solvang. The airport had a fleet of 1958 Chevrolets, which, as I recall, were available to pilots for just a few dollars an hour.
If you prefer a larger airport with some commercial flights, I suggest Santa Barbara Airport (KSBA), about an hour’s drive from Solvang.
Inn at Perry Cabin.
(Courtesy Inn at Perry Cabin)
Inn At Perry Cabin, 308 Watkins Ln., St. Michaels, MD 21663, 410/745-2200, www.innatperrycabin.com.
This Chesapeake Bay-region is ideal for summertime adventure and activity on both land and sea. Experts tell us that chances of catching the virus are substantially reduced in outdoor settings.
Attention to Health & Safety: The Inn is committed to maintaining the health and safety of their guests and staff. They have developed and practice the highest standards of cleanliness in guestrooms and public areas. They have significantly increased the intensity of all cleaning procedures,
The staff constantly monitors COVID-19 with the relevant health and government authorities including the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, the World Health Organization, and local health departments to appropriately follow directives as new information is shared.
Sailing along Inn at Perry Cabin. (Courtesy Inn at Perry Cabin)
A Unique Blend of History and Modernity: The original Inn was built in 1816. Historians tell us that the Inn was designed to resemble Commodore Oliver Perry’s cabin on the flagship of the USS Niagara. For years, the property was a private estate. It became a farm, then a riding academy. Today, this colonial Inn features a host of elegant rooms and suites. The accommodations, graced with antique style furnishings, offer private patios or balconies in most units.
Residential Style Accommodations: The rooms and suites have retained the charm and character of a hotel that came to life just after the War of 1812. The owners have carefully combined the ambiance of the 19th century with contemporary touches and amenities. Rooms are tastefully finished in pastel and off-white tones along with dark brown wood touches.
Deluxe Water View Rooms offer vistas of the waterfront from your room and your private terrace or balcony.
Superior Double rooms feature two double beds. Families and small groups can book a Superior Double and an adjacent room or suite and open the doors to a private alcove area to create one large suite with two private spaces.
Junior Suites take in partial water views from the furnished outdoor terrace.
Garden View one-bedroom suites, centrally located in the original building, have separate bedrooms and beautiful views of the sculptured grounds.
Luxury Suites, the largest of all accommodations, open onto a private terrace or balcony facing the Miles River. Nestled in the heart of the property, these suites are the finest the Inn has to offer.
The Waterfront at Perry Cabin (Courtesy Inn at Perry Cabin)
The Spa. Luxuriate in a truly unique spa experience that combines therapeutic bodywork with plant-based treatments made from herbs and aromatics grown in their own garden and harvested from farms throughout the Eastern Shore.
Perfect for Lovers of Gardens: The Inn is surrounded by 26 acres of gardens, orchards, wildflowers and sprawling lawns. Schedule a tour with the resident horticulturist to learn about gardening and see how she creates beauty for every corner of the Inn, from the flowers in your room to the herbs that flavor your meals.
Great for Workouts: Relax and enjoy the beautiful Croquet Lawn and Bocce Courts. Take a Yoga class. Try a spin class on a Peloton bike in their state-of-the-art facility.
Take a Bike Ride: The flat Maryland Shore roads with wide shoulders make biking a pleasure. A breezy half-mile ride will take you to the charming center of St. Michaels where you can explore wonderful museums, quaint shops, and galleries.
Tennis: Schedule a tennis match on one of the three Har-Tru courts or sign up for a lesson with their Cliff Drysdale Tennis Pro. Courts are lighted and open for seasonal play from April through October, weather permitting.
Frolic on the Waterfront: Grab a paddle board or a sea kayak. You can meander near the Inn or make your way over to St. Michaels for a picturesque view from the water. Instructions and classes are also available. Sailing instruction is conducted by certified instructors.
Golf: Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, Links at Perry Cabin is a course that will challenge golfers at every level.
Let’s Eat! Dining options include a waterside restaurant with afternoon tea, and a cozy pub with a fireplace. The Eastern Shore is an immense ecosystem that is returning to healthy, sustainable abundance. The Inn works closely with local fishermen, crabbers, oystermen and farmers to bring fresh, healthy ingredients to the table.
The Airport: Easton-Newman Airport (KESN) is a ten-minute drive from the Inn. Runway 4/22, just 36 feet above sea level is 5,500 feet long. Runway 4 has an ILS approach and Runway 22 has RNAV. Runway 15/33 is 4,003 feet long. Both directions have RNAV approaches. The field has three FBOs. I suggest Easton Jet, 410/820-8770. The nearest major airport is Baltimore Washington International Airport (KBWI), about 90 minutes from the resort.
