Quoting the famous tagline of Pete Nelson, founder of Nelson Treehouse and famed television personality of Treehouse Masters, "to the trees!" is a fitting introduction for this blog post. Our inaugural visit to the Pacific Northwest, was designed around TreeHouse Point, a quaint bed and breakfast with a bird's eye view!
Nestled in a beautiful forest along the Raging River, located between Preston and Fall City, sits the rustic treetop lodging of TreeHouse Point. Seven iconic tree houses are situated across the property with a central Lodge and two cedar-lined bathhouses.
“Darkness blankets the forest... I peer out the window of the Temple of the Blue Moon as the world blinks to life."
TreeHouse Point is a short 30 minute drive outside of Seattle. Grab a few snacks, maybe a bottle of wine, from Pike Place Market, rent a car, and head out of Seattle on the scenic highway toward Preston and Fall City, Washington.
#RoamLikeAPro: When traveling to popular destinations, research one-of-a-kind experiences nearby. Follow our lead, add a day trip or book a short stay to an off the beaten path destination. You'll be glad that you did!
Secluded Splendor
We arrived early at TreeHouse Point, the staff were busily cleaning and resetting the rooms from the previous visitors and weren't quite ready for us. So, we continued down the road and stumbled across Snoqualmie, an old railroad town, for a late lunch and a chance to browse around at the local shops and storefronts. From the fast-paced, crowded streets of Seattle, this sleepy rural town reminded us of the comforts of home; small, quaint, quiet. Snoqualmie offered sweeping views of mountains, lush forests, and a breathtaking waterfall.
When we returned to TreeHouse Point at about 30 minutes past 3:00 pm to learn that we would be the only guests on the property for the night. Just the two of us... four acres of dense forest... surrounded by a raging river in the Pacific Northwest... maybe we'd catch sight of a sasquatch! We were excited and a little disappointed. You see, it is generally frowned upon to ask the staff for a tour of the treehouses. Instead, guests are encouraged to connect with other guests to seek out individual tours of each space - a great way to encourage guest interaction. Yet, in our case, there were no other guests to consult.
I asked and they obliged.
The famed Nelson Treehouse crew were also onsite, busy with treehouse repairs and upgrades while in the off-season. I recognized three of the men from Treehouse Masters, a television show on Animal Planet. We waved as we passed, but didn't interrupt their work. We toured all seven tree houses on the property, each one different than the rest. A couple had multiple stories, some had composting toilets, and others had additional bunks for a family stay. We had selected to stay in the Temple of the Blue Moon, one of the original treehouses, and the only one with a suspension bridge.
Later, while in the Lodge, we had a conversation with Charles Spitzak, one of the famed Nelson Treehouse crew, and snapped the photo, above.
Standing alone on the gravel path, halfway between the bathhouse and treehouse, only a few soft lights illuminating path, Treehouse Point was dark, pitch-black. The towering trees with tangled moss-covered branches blocked out much of the night sky eliminating even the slightest starlight from above. One doesn't realize how common light is under the night sky, until you are void of it. I paused to let the cool December breeze brush through my hair; breathing deeply in through my nose, I listened to the sounds of the forest - the roar of the river in the distance, the rustle of leaves and ferns near the path, and the calm stillness all around.
#RoamLikeAPro: Be present and keenly aware of rare opportunities. Allow yourself time to take in the moment and remember the experience.
Waking Up In the Trees
Darkness blankets the forest, the soft churning of the river two stories beneath the treehouse can be heard as we remain tucked snuggly into a queen-sized bed. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I peer out the window of the Temple of the Blue Moon as the world blinks to life. The sun crests the horizon cutting through the branches revealing the frost covering the ground. A surreal experience... waking up in the trees.
Before heading to the Lodge for breakfast, we went for a stroll down to the banks of Raging River following the gravel path and steps carved into the hillside. The inviting nature trail had a sense of whimsy with the wavy moss-covered branches and large ferns that decorated the ground. We joked that we would find a fairy village hidden within the foliage.
Chilled from our morning stroll, we arrived at the Lodge just in time for breakfast.
Decked out in holiday décor, the Lodge featured a large handcrafted banquet table with seats for 12. Plush furniture, a reading nook, and stone fireplace filled the remaining space. We met Bird, the chef; Sarah, the general manager; and Alex, the caretaker.
One of the simple pleasure of visiting bed and breakfasts, like this one, is to connect and learn from fellow travelers over a delicious meal. Being the only guests on the property, we invited the staff to join us, instead. Again, they obliged.
We sat at the table, enjoyed a delicious breakfast and shared stories for over an hour. Author's note: Bird's lemon curd is a MUST with your morning yogurt or follow my lead and enjoy it all on it's own! We talked about us, sharing some of our favorite travel experiences from the trip. They shared their stories about working for Treehouse Point. Deveny went back to the river to take some photos, while I was invited by Bird to step into the Lodge kitchen (an exclusive opportunity not offered to most guests) and make some of my signature caramel. I later learned that my caramel was featured at the table during the Nelson Treehouse holiday party, what an honor!
After our morning reminiscing with the staff, we headed out for some more hiking. Almost mid-day, the sun had melted the frost from the trees and sufficiently warmed the air for a pleasant hike. This was our first experience in "forest bathing" a term coined by the Japanese as a means to immerse oneself in nature, breathing in the fresh air, and being present in the natural environment.
We finished our day with a couples massage package at the luxurious Salish Lodge & Spa perched above the picturesque Snoqualmie Falls. We arrived early to enjoy the thermal spa area, relaxing in the sauna, steam room, and large jacuzzi tub. Our 90-minute hot stone couples massage was one of the best spa experiences that I've ever had. A large stone fireplace, with crackling fire, was the backdrop to the room. Two massage tables were placed parallel in the space and a large rainfall shower in the corner. The hot stones melted away the tension from our earlier hike leaving a feeling of complete relaxation.
#RoamLikeAPro: Indulge when possible. This luxurious spa package came with a price, but was one of, if not thee best, spa experience we've ever had.
We finished our final night of vacation with dinner at a local restaurant. When we returned to the Treehouse Point Lodge after dinner, the staff had built a cozy fire and had placed a s'mores kit on the large farmhouse table. We enjoyed our final evening relaxing on the comfortable furniture while roasting marshmallows and eating s'mores in the warmth of the lodge.
Fond Farewells
Our short, two-night stay helped us unplug from the hectic world around us. We met new friends, shared stories, and practiced the art of forest bathing. We saw some amazing views, experienced total darkness, and allowed ourselves to be present in the moment.
Travel Date: December 2018
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