Glamptuary Review - Open Air Outpost
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE A STAY IN A GLORIOUS TINY HOME NESTLED ON 18 ACRES IN WISCONSIN, A MUSHROOM FORAGING EXPEDITION, OVER THE FIRE COOKING, A LAKESIDE YOGA SESSION, AND A REUNION WITH ONE OF THE STARS OF SEASON 2 OF THE GLAMPTUARY PODCAST.
Jesse Roesler and Bobby Marsden outside the Aldo Cabin at Open Air Outpost
It’s been entire year since Jesse Roesler opened the gates to Open Air Outpost.
I know this, because I had the great fortune of following Jesse’s journey leading up to his grand opening on Season 2 of The Glamptuary Podcast. And according to Jesse, Open Air Oupost has been a hot ticket in the Outdoor Hospitality space since coming online.
To curb my FoMO feelings, I decided it was high time to pay my longtime friend a visit, see the grandeur of his creation, celebrate a successful opening, and talk about his future plans.
To set the stage, Open Air Outpost is located on 18 acres, just outside of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Nestled on a hillside, above a 19 acre lake, sits a Tiny Home named the “Aldo Cabin.”
The Aldo Cabin
Also on property is a wood-fired soaking tub, a wood-fired sauna, two docks on a non-motorized lake where kayaks and SUP’s await, and multiple hiking trails which weave all around the property.
It’s easy to see the beauty nature has provided for Jesse and Open Air Outpost. But the beauty is not just outside…
Jesse has done a wonderful job bringing the natural beauty of nature inside the Aldo Cabin.
Through sustainability, a beautiful design aesthetic, luxurious amenities, and one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever experienced, guests remain comfortably immersed in nature, even when inside the tiny home.
Check in is contactless and after we stowed our luggage, Jesse arrived and invited us on a foraging hike, along with an offer to cook us dinner - and this was an offer we couldn’t (and did not want to) refuse.
We set out walking amongst all the tall oak and birch trees that populate Open Air Outpost. Oak trees have a wonderful relationship with many edible mushrooms, and we were on the hunt for a couple specific mushrooms called HEN OF THE WOODS, and GOLDEN CHANTERELLES. I’m happy to say we struck gold (pun intended).
After we foraged, it was time to cook. Jesse led us to a beautiful space alongside the lake where we began an over the fire cooking experience. In addition to the mushrooms, Jesse has prepared a butternut and corn bisque, a tomahawk steak, and some sweet potatoes, which would all be finished over the open fire.
Cooking over an open fire was an amazing experience. It brought about a deep connection with nature, and a connection within ourselves that is hardwired in to our DNA, but not often accessed.
Jesse describes Open Air Outpost as a “nature escape - where wood meets water.” Jesse and his wife Jen have created an offering through Open Air Outpost that encourages guests to connect with nature through experiences. These CURATED EXPERIENCES are designed to strengthen your connection with nature, and enrich your skillsets through education and practical application.
Our next experience after cooking, would be eating. And it was DELICIOUS!
Jesse was an awesome host. He made us a feel special from the moment we arrived, and our time catching up over dinner, next to a beautiful lake as the sun set, was perfect. We talked about his plans to add another glamping structure to Open Air Outpost, along with other expansion plans on the experiential side of things. But best of all, we reconnected with each other in a natural and beautiful space.
After dinner, we cleaned up and took a soak in the wood-fired soaking tub. Fortunately, we had started our cedar logs on fire a couple hours earlier. By the time we were stepping into the water - it was a perfect 102 degrees.
A proper way to end an evening
The next day we awoke after a supremely restful sleep.
Jesse’s wife had planned a morning yoga session for us and when she arrived, she brought some wonderful pastries from a local bake shop called Edgewood Bake Shop.
After a delicious breakfast, we headed up a trail to our lakeside yoga location. Jen is a veteran yoga instructor and healer, and she began with a smudge session using Palo Santo Sticks from Peru.
I needed a good smudging
After I was properly smudged, Jen led a peaceful and meditative yoga session which led me to an even deeper connection with this sacred space Jesse and Jen have created (along with nature of course).
If you have the opportunity to stay at Open Air Outpost, I highly suggest you book a session with Jen.
As meditative as the yoga session was, I left it feeling energized and eager to explore.
There are two docks on property stocked with kayaks and SUPs for guest use. We took some kayaks out and explored the 19 acre glacial lake, which was created by a chunk of melting ice that fell from a glacier thousands of years ago. The impact from the ice created Jacks Lake, which is 55 ft deep at the center. For any of you fisherman out there, be sure to bring your gear (and a Wisconsin Fishing License), as there are plenty of bass and panfish to be caught. We kept our lake experience above water in the kayaks which was so peaceful, due to there only being a few adjacent properties on the lake, and no motorized watercraft are allowed.
After our combo yoga + kayaking workout, it was time for a steam in the cedar sauna.
I started some logs burning in the wood-fired stove and after 45 minutes, it was a balmy 120 degrees…and I was ready to relax.
Feeling wonderful, I spent the remainder of the day talking with my wife, listening to nature, reflecting on life, and day-dreaming about the future. We fully unplugged (hence no more pictures), and spent the rest of our stay fully immersed in our surroundings.
Open Air Outpost is truly an immersive experiential outdoor hospitality destination at its finest. I’m excited to see what new structures and experiences Jesse brings into the mix. Whatever they are, I know they will be thoughtful, sustainable, and designed to deepen his guest’s connection with the natural world.
Congrats on your Glamptuary Jesse and Jen, and thanks for being wonderful hosts!
Namasté
Helpful Information For Planning A Visit To Open Air Outpost
Jack's Lake and the Open Air Outpost property
Booking: Directly on the Open Air Outpost Website
Nearest Major Airport: Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Nearest Regional Airport: Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
Drive times: 2 hour drive from MSP International Airport, 25 minute drive from Chippewa Valley Regional Airport
Nearest town is New Auburn, Wisconsin- 5.2 miles away (16 minute drive)
Nearest hospital - Cumberland Memorial Hospital- 57 miles away (1 hour drive),
Lakefront property on a private non-motorized lake
Kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboard available
Dirt road access, groomed and dirt parking lots inside the property with parking on property
No meals provided unless pre-aranged.
Coffee and tea provided ensuite
Full luxury kitchen available + outdoor grill and charcoal
Full bathroom ensuite
Towels and toiletries provided.
Wi-Fi available.
Family-friendly, although sleeping options are limited
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