Summer in the Freestate can be described in one word: Hot. Between the blistering temperatures, wild storms that roll in faster than you can blink an eye, and expanses of land that go on further than the eye can see, it may seem like a good idea to skip the province during your trip. What people don’t realize is that the boiling days slide into cool, breezy evenings, and the kilometres of space create what many are searching for while travelling- an opportunity to disconnect. The Freestate feels like space out of time; the architecture, gardens, and weather make you feel like you’re in a farmhouse in Maryland, and the tight-knit community can’t help but remind me of Nashville. The distance from major cities really allows you to put down your phone, stop checking your email, and reconnect with the people around you.
During our trip, we stayed at the farm of family friends, but if you’re not as lucky as we are, the area doesn’t lack opportunities to get into the Freestate frame of mind. During our stay, we trekked for a late lunch over to Oaklands, a restaurant and manor that offers spaces to stay, phenomenal food, and exquisite views.
And dogs, of course. This seems to be true throughout the Freestate-lots of dogs, of just about every breed, size, and colour, and all of them willing to park themselves next to you in case you happen to feel like giving them a good head scratch.
Oaklands’ big draw is really the space it inhabits; while the building itself is beautiful and food is delicious, it’s the landscape that it’s set in that makes you feel simultaneously at home, relaxed, and awestruck
With its mountain views and flourishing gardens, you could walk the estate for days straight without getting bored.
The entire space is done in white and clean looking neutrals, allowing for the appreciation of the land. Even the house itself, now run as a restaurant, is white and airy-breathing natural light and making the movement between the inside dining areas, the outdoor patios, and the land it opens onto easy and free.
And, of course, the dogs-do you really need another reason? The dogs of Oaklands are all amiable, once again lending to the homey, you’re-meant-to-be-here feel.
The Freestate embodies why it’s valuable to take a moment, slow down, and spend time with the people you love in a breathtaking environment. It reminds you of what’s vital in life, reconnects you with the world we live in, with the vast expanse of nature, and with the people who really matter. The debate between fast and slow travel isn’t a new one; you can see it in the riff between beach holidayers and those who prefer to seek out adventure and new experiences. The Freestate offers a good mix of both and reminds you to be grateful for all of it, one of the actual purposes of travel.
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