When we travel we always like to find a bed and breakfast to stay at, but this last time we were in Maine, we went a little outside and tried a yurt! What could be more fun than some glamping in a yurt. Let’s step back to part of the reason we wanted to explore a yurt style of stay. We have thought about adding some “cabins” to the bed and breakfast line up. With a little twist. We want to allow people to “try before they buy” for example, a yurt, container, or tiny home are just three of the alternative living ideas we have come up with. There are so many people who are trying to be more cost effective with their home purchases that we figured, why not allow people to get a little taste before they make the big purchase.
First up for us to try is a yurt. This yurt is located in Maine, about 35 minutes from where our children go to college. Not to far, but you still needed to plan drive time to where ever you happened to be going. The location of the yurt is a working Maine farm, where you can visit the animals, pick apples and go on hikes around the area. Super cute and fun, if that is what you are looking for. The owner even has a little farm stand where you can purchase bread and farm fresh eggs if you happen to be cooking your meals at the yurt.
This yurt was simple and a great place to sleep and relax after your day of travel. One of my favorite parts of the yurt, was the wood burning stove. Let’s be honest that probably won’t happen here in Texas, since we do not usually get that cold except for a few times per year. Since we happened to be in Maine in October where the high was around 55 degrees, the property owner started the stove for us the day of our arrival. So nice, and we stoked the fire when we returned for the night. That being said, wood burning stoves give off a lot of heat and we probably would have been fine, without stoking the stove upon our return. It was a little warm.
With that lesson learned we did not light the fire our second night and it was much cooler sleeping that way. Now you might be wondering where the toilet goes in a yurt. Well our yurt was a little more rustic, remember glamping, and came with a compostable toilet. Which is not for everyone but I love the idea of this method of waste removal. Essentially, an outhouse is built with a five gallon bucket that you use to do your business and then place a cup or two of sawdust on top. Believe it or not, there was little to no smell and no bugs. Part of that could have been because of the time of year, but you know how flies are, they are around no matter what. Each use of a compostable toilet saves one gallon of water. Plus you have just helped to make compost.
Inside our yurt we had a hand washing station that is similar to the pump ones that are supplied for porta potties but this water all drained out and was not recycled. There was a dresser with a mirror, a 5 gallon water jug for fresh water or to make coffee and tea. As well as a couch with an ottoman and a book shelf with a few essentials such as pans for cooking, coffee and tea. Also of course, a bed for sleeping. The host also provided a picnic table and grill outside, for use, if that was part of your stay.
We really only slept at the yurt and then went off to explore or visit with our kids. I think it would have been fun to explore their area a little more and enjoy the little extras they had on the farm. For sure a little hike, if nothing else. Be adventurous and try something new, a unique stay that puts you out of your comfort zone might just be what you need on your next trip.
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