Will Edmond wears many hats. The Douglassville, Texas native is a vegan chef, an author, and now, a travel host. Having recently moved back from Atlanta, he returned home to revive an abandoned piece of family land. It is now a thriving homestead as well as the site of his new glamping accommodations, Glamping Remote.
The land originally belonged to Edmond’s great-great-grandparents over 100 years ago, and was passed on in the family. Growing up, he recalls witnessing the land pristine in all its glory, and watching things change over time as it sat there unused.
“The last time I was home in 2021, I told myself, ‘One day, I’m coming back to clean up this place,’” said Edmond. “I wanted to honor [my great-grandparents] by transforming it into a place where my family could gather again, and I could host people.”
The Inspiration
Edmond’s decision to create a glamping site was inspired by his own travels and accommodations experiences. Having enjoyed numerous stays in unique structures, he knew that he would one day like to open his own glamping site. Another current business venture gave him the encouragement to pursue his dream now.
“It was a gentleman by the name of Darrel Maxam, who is now my mentor,” explained Edmond. “We are currently working on a business together that gave me the push to build out my own glamping site. He has several properties in East Point, Georgia, where I was residing, and he recently opened a property in upstate New York called Maxam Hotels.”
The Process
Edmond began working on the land in late 2022. Having been vacant for more than 20 years, clearing it was an arduous and lengthy task. Once almost six acres was cleared, he planted vegetable gardens, installed geodesic domes, constructed the outdoor bathroom and Glamping Remote was born.
In addition to the three luxury domes, the glamping site offers a Japanese-themed tiny house and a safari tent. Another tiny house will soon be added to the lineup as well.
The Location
Glamping Remote is situated in the Piney Woods of East Texas, a vast forest surrounded by numerous lakes. It is close to charming towns like Jefferson, Texas, and about an hour and a half from the hidden gem of Broken Bow, Oklahoma.
Guests can book a stay at Glamping Remote via Airbnb:
“There are several state parks in proximity to our property where you can hike, fish or simply relax. At our site, we offer amenities like a hot tub, hammocks, outdoor showers, and we plan to introduce more games and activities for visitors.”
The rural area offers a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Edmond is proud to have cultivated a haven of nature and relaxation to share with others, and to have been able to do so on the land that’s been in his family for generations.
“There’s often a misconception that Black people don’t have land, and that’s not true,” said Edmond. “Many individuals in the 50s-70s left country life and traded it for city life. They either sold their land or had it taken due to non-payment of taxes. That wasn’t our case because someone in the family always kept the taxes paid. My uncle ensured the taxes were paid after my great-grandmother passed. He told us, ‘Momma and Daddy worked too hard for this land to be taken away.’ More families are now leaving the city and moving to rural areas again because city life can be stressful, and this is true peace.”