When my teen nieces and I checked into Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge in White Salmon, Washington, we lingered in the lobby, a sprawling low-slung living room with modern furniture, cozy conversation corners, sleek shelves stocked with games and books and wide windows looking out onto the rolling meadow and mountainous skyline in the distance.
The campus is dotted with 55 tidy tents, custom-designed by Under Canvas for their 14 outposts across the country.
These glamping resorts are miles above your childhood scouting experience. Each tent has an en suite bathroom, reading lamps, a wood stove for heat (and fire fun), cool, contemporary furniture and soft, high-thread-count bedding. The teens immediately sprawled out on the sofa bed (“whoa, this is so comfy”) and pulled out their devices. Guess what? No wifi! While I’d mentioned this in describing our two-day trip, the lack of bars seemed to pull the rug out from under them.
I suggested a walk to explore. They decided to read. An hour later, we gathered on the porch (Under Canvas platform tents have elevated porches outfitted with rustic chairs and a table) and looked out over the valley toward Mount Hood. Situated between Oregon and Washington, the Columbia River Gorge is attracting wine enthusiasts, hikers, paddlers, stargazers and explorers. The Under Canvas property is a half hour north of the river, under an unforgettable night sky and close to waterfalls and roaring rivers for white water rafting excursions. Families, honeymooners and retirees come to stay to relive fond camping memories and build new ones. There’s a dining room that serves hearty and heartfelt dishes, with coffee, tea, water and healthy snacks available throughout the day. Food in the tents is discouraged since wildlife abounds, and each is outfitted with a Yeti cooler to keep snacks and drinks safe from bugs and paws (we saw none).
Dinner is a social affair (or find your own corner) with gas bonfires, s’mores, card games and conversations across the outdoor patio. The nieces played an epic game of cornhole with a view at sunset. They had fun poking around the board game table and competing for the most picture-perfect s'more.
Large telescopes sit on the edge of the patio, pointed towards tiny moving shapes on the mountain sides. Goats? Hikers?
Later, we get an eyeful of stars, a galaxy inviting admiration. We were glad to comply.
Walking back to the tent on the barely-lit trail, we took our time. We reminisced about the rafting trip earlier in the day. Veronica was the daring one, remaining in the boat for the last big waterfall drop and jumping off a cliff into the icy river with the guide and a few other intrepid paddlers in our group. Dana practiced her flute in the tent, the notes floating across the meadow. Before bed, I sat on the porch one last time. Without the blue glare of televisions and screens, I could see more clearly. Feel more clearly. Love more clearly.
After lights out, I listened to my nieces sigh, slowly sinking into slumber. I felt grounded and so very fortunate to be under canvas with the girls I adore.
Large telescopes sit on the edge of the patio, pointed towards tiny moving shapes on the mountain sides. Goats? Hikers?