Yurt Summit 2017: Very Wet, Very Sunny, Very Cold, Very Happy

 Last year March 2017, I headed out to the beach with 8 year old Amy, and two friends to join a Yurt Summit at Nehalem Bay State Park. Because we are adventurous and to save on costs, we decided to camp in tents. We drove on a Friday evening through the unrelenting cold rain to the coast. When we got to the camp we set up tent on the edges of the flooded campsite we had been assigned.

Three of us made it through the night semi dry. Amy's clothes got partially wet on the side of the tent. However, our fourth friend had a completely flooded tent. She ended up finding the community yurt and warming up around 2am.

Having made it through the very rainy night, the sun came out and we were able to enjoy the beach and the community at the yurt summit.

The kids and adults played a game where a group was blindfolded and followed the sound of a moving drummer through the sand as a mindfulness, sensory activity. I helped string a tarp up and the kids dug canals to drain the puddle in the fire pit which we were able to use later for a campfire.

Wearing my snow pants and jacket to stay warm and dry, I dipped my toes in the water and enjoyed the sunshine.

The spring sunshine on the beach was wonderful and warmed our spirits as well.

We enjoyed communal food and conversation and were very grateful for the offer of a yurt spot for those of us whose stuff had not dried out during the very wet night. My friend Corrine and I were able to dry tents out enough to enjoy a rather cold but clear night in our tents.

This was quite the car camping adventure, but we were glad for the time together.

Can't wait for some upcoming spring adventures. A word of wisdom- be prepared for a wet night if camping on the coast in late March in Oregon.

Harriman State Park Sparkle Days Part 2

After our first night in the lovely yurt, we set out on a family adventure to explore the park on snowshoes and in the sled.  I thought this trumpeter swan wing print was pretty cool.

The lakes and islands are home to many birds including the white trumpeter swan.

We saw moose prints and Gil saw glimpses of a moose in the distant woods.

We headed toward the historic ranch, enjoying the snow and views. 

The Titans loomed large in the distance.

Analise spent some time in the sled and some time in the backpack.  She is not the biggest fan of snow but did "help" pull the sled from time to time.

We wandered through the historic ranch buildings.

We continued through the ranch.

As we continued to the end of the ranch, the open fields stretched to the Titans.

Amy decided to ski for a big part of the time.

The open fields and barn were so amazing.

We stopped at the bridge to check out the swans and enjoy the sunshine.

Analise wanted to check out the bridge.

The snow, sun, and sky filled my soul with contentment and joy.

It was so peaceful and beautiful.

Gil tried pulling two girls for awhile which was a bit more challenging.

There were signs of spring in this snow covered wonderland.

Analise tried the little skis VERY briefly.

We found a small sledding hill to enjoy.

Analise sat under the tree while I made our lunch.

After lunch, we headed back to the yurt for Analise and Gil to nap and Amy and I headed out on our own adventure.

Harriman State Park Sparkle Days Part 1

 When we arrived at Harriman State Park we found a winter wonderland!

We discovered Analise does like snow if she can pull her pink monkey in the sled.  We had the whole park to ourselves with a midweek yurt rental.  We unloaded into the sleds.

After sledding to the outhouse, we took a short walk down to the snow covered lake.  The snow was falling and the trumpeter swans were singing.

We headed back to the yurt to enjoy our home away from home and cook some dinner over the Coleman Stove which was provided.

This was some serious luxury camping complete with woodstove, lantern, cookstove, and large table.

Analise "helped" unload the dishes and set the table.

Since we did not have time to go up to the ranch, Amy decided sledding on the yurt ramp would be just the thing!

The next day, everyone woke up to enjoy a snow adventure.

Amy and Analise built a snowman with the help of their daddy.

The snowman had snowshoes and a mohawk.

Amy and Analise enjoyed the cute snowman.

Amy and I headed up toward the ranch while Analise took a nap in the yurt.

I spent the whole day outside with the beautiful snow, water, and sky.

There was just enough snow for snowshoeing and pulling the sled

This was some of the most beautiful snowshoeing I have ever done.

It was fun to have an adventure of just Amy and I.  We have both missed "sister free" time and vowed to do this again soon.

The snowy field was lovely.

We headed back toward the lakes and our yurt.  The water and snow sparkled.

It was a full day outside in such a beautiful place.

I fell asleep to the sound of trumpeter swans grateful for this amazing gift of a day.