The Party Line's Grilled Vegetable Caesar
Courtesy of The Party Line's Julia Sullivan of Henrietta Red.
Pomelo Grove: Happy Campers
Erin Wolff's boutique eco-camp will have you reunited with the great outdoors
Living in Tennessee has many benefits, including an abundance of gorgeous scenery and serene blocks of land to camp on. But while pitching a tent and sleeping right on the earth may sound euphoric for some, for others their idea of camping is booking a stay at The Holiday Inn. Enter: Pomelo Grove. This “boutique eco-camp” has all the class and charm of a B&B set in a green wonderland. Local touches include Toasted Coconut Marshmallows by Bang Candy, Stay Golden Coffee, and a WithCo welcome cocktail. The unique campers are equipped with air conditioning, induction burners, compost toilets, fully tiled showers, and plush, queen-sized beds. Meal kits from The Partyline are available to add on to your stay like a camp box with skirt steak, grilled Caesar with mushrooms and asparagus, and cornbread or a brunch box for 2. This dreamy oasis “away from it all” is the brainchild of proprietor and owner Erin Wolfe.
After a career in merchandising and retail in New York and a short stint at Rodale Press in Pennsylvania, Erin and her husband, John moved to Tennessee. Erin was feeling burned out and morally challenged after being in the business of selling stuff that people didn’t really need for 10 years. Erin has always been an outdoor girl and decided a short road trip across the country would do her good. While away, her calling became clear. She decided she wanted to create a unique travel experience. One that was timeless and would bring people joy.
And bring joy it does. Erin designed each camper inside and out, collaborating with Brian Fuente, the owner of Aero Build. She was very intentional with everything, not only in her goal for her camp to be eco-friendly, but comfortable as well. She felt strongly that folks should have a queen-size bed so they could sleep well when they’re traveling. She wanted a comfortable and sizeable bathroom (the shower was nicer than mine at home). She wanted it to be family friendly so the booths double as beds for traveling with children (Erin and her mom even sewed the cushions). The induction burners heat up and cool down super quickly so as not to heat up the campers. There are old-fashioned record players with records for trips down memory lane and polaroid cameras for each guest to snap a pic, write a note, and leave behind. Just Lovely.
Erin stays at her little camper behind the trees whenever there are guests. “I’m a bit of a mother hen,” she says. She’s there to show you around the camper and how to operate the air and burners (which can’t be used at the same time), and to share the story of Pomelo Grove. Like a good girl scout, she gathers the wood and starts the fire and she’s happy to hang out, although as she puts it, “I have a high ‘EQ’ and can judge when people want to talk to me or not. Most do and are curious about how I got here, so we typically have a 45-minute Q&A around the fire.”
The campers of Pomelo Grove are located at Bloomsbury Farm for now, but Erin has plans to permanently locate them on a piece of land outside of Columbia. She launched in June and has been bowled over by the response. For many folks, their trip to Pomelo Grove has been their first time out since the pandemic. They’re so excited and that makes Erin happy.
pomelogrove.co
9398 Del Thomas Road
Smyrna, TN 37167
erin@pomelogrove.co
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