Rediscovering Oregon: Out & About Treesort

All Oregonians are tree-hugging hippies, right? Not entirely.

Still… this family loves us some towering conifers, especially after living away from them for five years. Naturally, we were over the moon to recently spend a night sleeping like squirrels 35 ft. above the terra firma in a treehouse Bed & Breakfast rivalling that of the Swiss Family Robinson.

In actuality, the Out & About Treesort compound of 16 treehouse units more closely resembles an Ewok village— and my geeky family couldn’t have been more giddy to take up habitation. It’d been on our Oregon bucket list about a decade, so we were especially delighted to finally make the southernly trek for a much-needed getaway.

Shirking my debilitating fear of heights, I booked us the Forestree unit– the tallest treehouse available during our stay (the majestree is the taller at 47′ up, but was already occupied) that would accommodate our family of five. Inside was a queen bed, twin bunks, and an additional twin bed/couch, plus indoor plumbing to prevent campers from taking a tumble traversing the ropes for any middle of the night potty breaks. Shorter treehouses are also available for less adventurous folk.

In addition to the labyrinth of catwalks, suspension bridges, and spiral staircases interconnecting the treehouse village, the community also boasts an ingeniously devised creek-fed swimming pool, disc golf and zipline courses, rope swings, and a herd of friendly horsies eager to carry campers on trail-rides. Their home-cooked breakfast was nourishing, showers hot, and game closet well supplied.

Even with all the fun to be had exploring, climbing, and swinging, one of our favorite activities was simply hoisting gear up to our cozy perch with the provided pulley.

So if your family fantasizes of living like the Ewoks on Endor, the woodland elves of Middle Earth, the Swiss Family Robinson, or even Indiana Jones– book your next getaway here. You’ll be reluctant to return to reality.