Autumn on Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire. ( ) I’m soaking up the unusually warm early October sunshine as our canoe taps a gentle rhythm on my perch: a rock in the middle of Elk Lake, fit for two. My partner and I paddled out in search of “picnic rock,”a little walk down memory lane from our visit four years prior. Most of the peaks surrounding us are covered in autumnal shades of rusty reds, burnt oranges, and bright golds.
We’ve reached that coveted window of peak foliage in the Adirondack Mountains. A bell rings in the distance from the porch of my favorite fall spot in the six-million-acre park: Elk Lake Lodge, calling us back for dinner. The feeling is much akin to my childhood days of riding bikes around the neighborhood with friends until our parents announced it was time to come in.
Nostalgia is alive and well at Elk Lake, an all-inclusive wilderness lodge in the Adirondacks. Days are spent unplugged; hiking the more than 40 miles of private trails that connect to well-trodden trails of the Dix Range, paddling the private waters of Elk Lake and Clear Pond, braving a chilly fall swim, or bird-watching from the rocking chairs on the porch of the main building, which dates back to 1904. There’s little to no cell service and zero televisions in this remote pocket of the park.
The lodge embraces off-grid time spent playing outside and connecting to anything other than your phone. For a few days, I’m unburdened by regular life. I’m a kid again, enjoying timeless fun reminiscent of simpler times.
I’m not the only one seeking out autumn experiences that feel like a portal to the past. With the heaviness of the world and the constant go-go-go of our lives, a getaway that offers coziness and comfort is increasingly appealing. Many travel and hotel companies are seeing a trend this fall towards outdoor activities with nostalgic themes.
Recent Expedia data shows high year-over-year search increases for travel dates from September 1st to November 30th in several places that fit the nostalgic outdoor category. After months of always-on digital life, a trip like this can be a meaningful reset,” Melanie Fish, vice president of communications at Expedia Group told me. Chase Travel’s latest survey report backs this up, showing 51 percent of travelers say scenery is a big draw, but so is comfort; nostalgia appeals because it feels familiar.
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