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Summit Prairie Lookout 1st draft
Jun. 4th, 2023 03:59 pmJust sent this to Tyler, it's a bit sappy and generic and 2x as long as is called for, alas. But it's only my first stab at it.
The anticipation of driving up the long winding forest roads from Tiller to Summit Prairie Lookout is rewarded with a breath-taking sudden tower appearance seemingly out of nowhere; a the tall silhouette backlit with warm afternoon sunlight. If you’re as lucky as we were, two friendly faces grin and wave as we exit our car and stretch our legs, looking as delighted as we felt to be there.
After stringing together a series of other Oregon lookouts, Summit Prairie feels luxuriously posh, but also earthy and cozy. The wood of the walls is a singularly golden red color in the sun, radiating the love that was so evidently built into every detail, from the heat and water systems to the supplies and variety of travel books and understated decor, to the little stones in the floorboards.
Our winter visits have been particularly memorable, from the most magical cross-country skiing landscape through quiet logging roads, trees glittering with icicles in the sun, to brushing snow from solar panels in the morning to keep the lights on and the water running (clamoring onto my husband’s shoulders at the water pump at one point for better reach) to the satisfaction of dipping into a hot, relaxing soaking tub under the stars after chopping and hauling firewood and figuring out how to light a deep stove in cold, windy conditions without kippering each other in our attempts (long matches and perfect stacking of kindling are key),soaking in moonlight, and the laughter and icy feet when we finally climb out and close it up and scamper back up to the warmth of the tower, glowing comfortingly above up the hill.
We have been fortunate enough to bring friends to share in this experience whenever we can, deepening our attachment and love for this little magic haven in the forest. Each visit teaches us more about the area, the habits of the cows and the local deer herd, exploring trails for wildflowers and mushrooms, the singular experience of a hot outdoor shower with a snowy backdrop. This lookout facilitated my first trip to Crater Lake, despite being a native Oregonian, as it’s only a 1.5hr drive, and my second winter trip there as well, both unforgettable adventures.
It is always so hard to leave Summit Prairie. To me, it’s a haven of peace and tranquility, a place that uplifts and nourishes our spirits, quiets our thoughts, evokes possibilities and dreams of a gentler existence, and shifts perspective, figuratively and literally, holding us above the clouds and seemingly within reach of all our deepest dreams. Or maybe this is the dream, and we are finally awake within it.
The anticipation of driving up the long winding forest roads from Tiller to Summit Prairie Lookout is rewarded with a breath-taking sudden tower appearance seemingly out of nowhere; a the tall silhouette backlit with warm afternoon sunlight. If you’re as lucky as we were, two friendly faces grin and wave as we exit our car and stretch our legs, looking as delighted as we felt to be there.
After stringing together a series of other Oregon lookouts, Summit Prairie feels luxuriously posh, but also earthy and cozy. The wood of the walls is a singularly golden red color in the sun, radiating the love that was so evidently built into every detail, from the heat and water systems to the supplies and variety of travel books and understated decor, to the little stones in the floorboards.
Our winter visits have been particularly memorable, from the most magical cross-country skiing landscape through quiet logging roads, trees glittering with icicles in the sun, to brushing snow from solar panels in the morning to keep the lights on and the water running (clamoring onto my husband’s shoulders at the water pump at one point for better reach) to the satisfaction of dipping into a hot, relaxing soaking tub under the stars after chopping and hauling firewood and figuring out how to light a deep stove in cold, windy conditions without kippering each other in our attempts (long matches and perfect stacking of kindling are key),soaking in moonlight, and the laughter and icy feet when we finally climb out and close it up and scamper back up to the warmth of the tower, glowing comfortingly above up the hill.
We have been fortunate enough to bring friends to share in this experience whenever we can, deepening our attachment and love for this little magic haven in the forest. Each visit teaches us more about the area, the habits of the cows and the local deer herd, exploring trails for wildflowers and mushrooms, the singular experience of a hot outdoor shower with a snowy backdrop. This lookout facilitated my first trip to Crater Lake, despite being a native Oregonian, as it’s only a 1.5hr drive, and my second winter trip there as well, both unforgettable adventures.
It is always so hard to leave Summit Prairie. To me, it’s a haven of peace and tranquility, a place that uplifts and nourishes our spirits, quiets our thoughts, evokes possibilities and dreams of a gentler existence, and shifts perspective, figuratively and literally, holding us above the clouds and seemingly within reach of all our deepest dreams. Or maybe this is the dream, and we are finally awake within it.
