Outta the city and up to Earth Lodge!

Last Friday afternoon Beth and I left from school shortly after 3 and caravaned with some friends to our weekend get-away spot, Earth Lodge. Everyone was in need of some time away from the City, and this place was just the spot. Located outside of Antigua, it was a mere hour and 15 minutes or so away.

After passing through Antigua, we were supposed to take a road that led out of the town and would turn into a dirt path and then dead end; from there, we would park and hike a short distance to the lodge. Well, we must have taken the wrong road out of Antigua initially, as we did end up on a dirt road, but it wasn't the dirt road. In fact, we got some funny looks from passer byers as our caravan navigated the narrow, bumpy, dirt-filled, and sometimes-hard-to-drive-through 'road.' Thankfully we made it up the steep hill and reconnected with the road we initially should have been on that would then take us to the right dirt road.

This next dirt road also required some concentrated driving as it was also steep, narrow, and bumpy, and the dirt was so fine and thick, that any rain fall would surely turn it into an impassable path (unless you had four-wheel drive). Needless to say, I was praying for no rain the whole weekend so we wouldn't have any trouble getting out. Thankfully it never did more than briefly sprinkle, though clouds certainly loomed the majority of the time.

Finally we arrived at the end of the road. Everyone made a few multi-point turns to get their car parked with the limited space allotted. Then we unloaded our gear and set off for Earth Lodge. We had been previously warned that it was a bit of hike to get there, but I think we were all still surprised by the time and effort it took. Thankfully, the location more than made up as the view and vantage point of Earth Lodge is unmatched. The place sits up high on a hillside looking out over Antigua and faces three volcanoes.

The main lodge is small but warm and inviting, with the kitchen in the back churning out some very tasty meals. At any point you may help yourself to drinks or snacks (like "cookies as big as your head," Beth said); you just have to mark what you take on your tab. We've been to other places that also used this tab honor system, and I love it because it adds to the sense of relaxed informality--like you're part of the family. At night, there is just one communal dinner served, though you do have options of meat choices. This is also fun as it gets everyone together at one time and provides an opportunity to meet new people also staying there.


Earth Lodge has cabins, a tree house, a dorm, and campground spread over a large terraced hillside. Beth and I stayed in a cabin which was a simple elevated room that had two double beds and a desk and chair.

The view was fantastic, and right below our room was maybe the greatest rope swing I've ever been on. Not only does it swing out high above the ground, the view from where you are swinging really makes you feel like you're soaring.




Outside the dining area/lodge is an open space with chairs, tables, and hammocks and where we spent most of our time together. Down the hill from that is another open area that can be used for camping, but we also used it for yoga and Frisbee.

On Saturday morning Beth and I, along with Kristin and her two children, Jackson and Channing, went on a short hike through the neighboring farm land for some up close looks at how the locals work these incredibly steep hills, as well as some spectacular vistas of the area.



Saturday night the Earth Lodge workers organized a game of Scrabble. Each board cost Q10 ($1.30) and you could play up to five at a time. The winner took home Q170 and a portion of the proceeds went to a school nearby. The first game was for all the prize money, with subsequent games for a free drink. Beth lucked out and won the prize money, so we had some credit added to our tab! It was a fun pre-dinner activity. After dinner, we broke out Trivial Pursuit and Beth and I teamed up against a couple girls from Holland and a couple who live in Mexico doing Peace Corps work. It looked like we were going to win it, but we kept getting hung up on the sports category (which we normally don't even play when it's just us two) and ultimately lost to the Peace Corps duo.

There were 15 of us total, and I think everyone had a fun time at Earth Lodge. For being such a low-key and relaxing spot, there was plenty to do and enjoy. And with it being so close to where we live, I think we'll go back frequently.