How to unwind after a strenuous cruise...
This is a yurt.
This particular yurt is "only" a 1 1/2 mile uphill hike, whose trail head starts just above our house.
Chuck made reservations several months ago to use this yurt last Friday evening.
Apparently visiting a yurt was on his bucket list...
not really on mine.
We set off after work at around 5:30pm. It was blustery, bitter cold weather.
I HATE the first part of any hike whether it's a mile or 10. I can never seem to get my breathing right and gasp like a leaky bagpipe. This outing was no exception.
The forecast was for 70% chance of precipitation.
As you can see was getting pretty gray by the time we arrived.
We talked our death march buddies, Bob and Doris, into going with us.
They are much better sports than I am.
They're also a lot taller.
Sole, their dog probably put in 3 times the distance we did going back and forth from Chuck in the lead to me, huffin and a puffin in the rear.
Here is the restroom facility with it's 360 degree view.
Quite breezy if you know what I mean.
Once we arrived Chuck got right to work making a fire.
One thing about a yurt is -
The walls are made of canvas stretched and wrapped around wooden supports.
Doesn't really hold the heat.
You could stand almost on top of the stove and not burn yourself.
(And believe me I tried.)
This particular stove didn't put out a great deal of warmth.
But, it did warm up - after several hours.
Doris had made some tasty shrimp jambalaya for dinner that "hit the spot"
(Chuck's highest praise) It really warmed us up.
Also, the little blanket and the double layer sleeping bag we brought DID keep me warm that night. Doris didn't fare so well and didn't sleep much.
It was REALLY hard to drag myself out of the warmth of that bag to use the "facilities" the next morning. (Sunrise on Saturday.)
Chuck warmed up the breakfast burritos he had made on the stove 
And we prepared to head out. 
In the 6 inches of new fluffy snow that had fallen during the night.
It seemed fairly calm at the yurt as we began our hike out.
But about 100 yards out the wind picked right up and it was NASTY!
There were lots of gray clouds and with the new snow covering the greasy mud and crusty snow from the day before the walking was treacherous.
Think walking on marbles in slick shoes.
You can't really tell from these pictures
but the wind was probably between 35 and 45 mph.
Like I said - NASTY.
Both Bob and Doris took a spill and I had many close escapes.
That mile and a half seemed a LOT longer under those conditions.
We did make it.
As you can see I'm thrilled.
Here's the snow when we came home.
Yeah.
Backpacking - springtime in Idaho.
Good times indeed.
Who needs a wimpy cruise when you can pit yourself against nature eh?
Thanks goodness for warm hats and hot showers.
Good times.
This is a yurt.
This particular yurt is "only" a 1 1/2 mile uphill hike, whose trail head starts just above our house.Chuck made reservations several months ago to use this yurt last Friday evening.
Apparently visiting a yurt was on his bucket list...
not really on mine.
We set off after work at around 5:30pm. It was blustery, bitter cold weather.
I HATE the first part of any hike whether it's a mile or 10. I can never seem to get my breathing right and gasp like a leaky bagpipe. This outing was no exception.
The forecast was for 70% chance of precipitation.As you can see was getting pretty gray by the time we arrived.
We talked our death march buddies, Bob and Doris, into going with us.
They are much better sports than I am.
They're also a lot taller.
Sole, their dog probably put in 3 times the distance we did going back and forth from Chuck in the lead to me, huffin and a puffin in the rear.
Here is the restroom facility with it's 360 degree view.
Quite breezy if you know what I mean.
Once we arrived Chuck got right to work making a fire.
One thing about a yurt is -
The walls are made of canvas stretched and wrapped around wooden supports.
Doesn't really hold the heat.
You could stand almost on top of the stove and not burn yourself.
(And believe me I tried.)
This particular stove didn't put out a great deal of warmth.
But, it did warm up - after several hours.
Doris had made some tasty shrimp jambalaya for dinner that "hit the spot"
(Chuck's highest praise) It really warmed us up.
Also, the little blanket and the double layer sleeping bag we brought DID keep me warm that night. Doris didn't fare so well and didn't sleep much.
It was REALLY hard to drag myself out of the warmth of that bag to use the "facilities" the next morning. (Sunrise on Saturday.)
Chuck warmed up the breakfast burritos he had made on the stove 
And we prepared to head out. 
In the 6 inches of new fluffy snow that had fallen during the night.
It seemed fairly calm at the yurt as we began our hike out.
But about 100 yards out the wind picked right up and it was NASTY!
There were lots of gray clouds and with the new snow covering the greasy mud and crusty snow from the day before the walking was treacherous.Think walking on marbles in slick shoes.
You can't really tell from these picturesbut the wind was probably between 35 and 45 mph.
Like I said - NASTY.
Both Bob and Doris took a spill and I had many close escapes.
That mile and a half seemed a LOT longer under those conditions.
We did make it.
As you can see I'm thrilled.
Here's the snow when we came home.Yeah.
Backpacking - springtime in Idaho.
Good times indeed.
Who needs a wimpy cruise when you can pit yourself against nature eh?Thanks goodness for warm hats and hot showers.
Good times.
6 comments:
That yurt business looks like something I could live without. Now, if it was warm when you arrived, then I might do it, but sitting in the cold is miserable. You're braver than I!
Bri
Oooh Crazy-YOU CRACK ME UP! I do have to say that you are a VERY good sport about the whole thing, all things considered. Next time in your vacation negotiation- I recommend reversing the trips-luxurious yurt trip followed by the strenuous cruise!
This appears to be some sort of penance.
Too much indulgence and relaxation on your cruise? No problem!
Penance by Yurt.
One night, 4 people 40mile an hour winds. You'll think twice before you enjoy yourself so much on vacation again.
I'm with Alli, only I say cruise only, skip the yurt.
In defense of real yurt using cultures the entire inside of the yurt is covered in hides so the cold wouldn't be quite so daunting. (I think your bathroom facilities were superior to theirs though.. so maybe a draw?)
Wow! You are a true trooper and an exceptional wife!
Ok, I would definately choose the cruise over this one. Check one off the bucket list and hope that a trip to Greece is next.
Wow!! That is all I can say.
I spent time in a yurt for a family reunion once. Coarse it was summer and not winter. Not the same I guess....
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