Spending The Night In A Yurt

A friend invited me this past weekend to spend the night "roughing it" at the Torreya National Park in Bristol, near Tallahassee, Florida. Stress just melts away when in the midst of tall pine trees, brush, the sound of grasshoppers, and the smell of clean air (where I live there is a paper mill and a chemical plant and, believe me, they make themselves known; one is often reminded that they are present and industrious).

This was my first introduction to a yurt. What is a yurt? Well, a yurt is a temporary round dwelling, originally known in places such as Mongolia. They are sort-of-like tents, but a bit more sophisticated, rugged, and a bit more permanent. They are definitely more durable.....and they are delightful to sleep in. I fell in love with the one I slept in at the Torreya National Park. Actually, it is the only one they have, and I'm sure people just fight over renting it for a weekend. The very top of the yurt has a clear skylight, where at night you can see the stars! Ooo- la-la! That 's romantic! During the daytime, it (the skylight) serves to heat up the dwelling as in passive solar heat, as well as give the enclosure enough light. This particular yurt can sleep five, and I don't mean in sleeping bags. There was a regular-sized queen bed in there (complete with end tables, lamp and dresser) and also one of those metal double-decker futon beds. It was set up on top of a wooden deck, so the floor was made out of wooden planks. It is made by Pacific Yurts, Inc. Frankly, I'd love to have one in my backyard! It would make a wonderful art studio, a dance studio (a larger one), a music studio, or just a plain old "secret" or "private" hangout. I want one, I want one!

I thought to myself, that this just has to be the perfect emergency/rescue abode for a family that has undergone displacement, such as in the horrible Katrina disaster, or for victims of a flood, or for victims of forest fires, where several houses burn down to the ground, or for earthquake victims. Why hasn't anybody thought of that? They are definitely cost-effective, as the price is only about $4,000-$5,000 per unit of the same size that I slept in. It seems to me that the one I was in was either the 12 foot one or the 14 foot one. It was the size of a good sized room. This particular one did not have a bathroom or kitchen in it but I know they make them with bathrooms and kitchens. If you are a city dweller, then you will appreciate this way of camping out or "roughing it." It is much better than staying in a tent, especially if you are well along in years. This one was complete with an air-conditioner, and several electrical outlets.

Torreya National Park is not the only National Park with a yurt. There are others. You just have to search. I definitely recommend it.