Update from Idyllwild Woods (finally!)

Hello friends!

It's been a while since our last update, and we've been hard at work here at Idyllwild Woods.

So much has happened, and we're thrilled to share the highlights with you.

Thank you for your patience and support as we build this dream retreat center. Here are some of the most exciting moments from our journey so far.

The Journey So Far

Over the past few months, life at Idyllwild Woods has been a whirlwind of activity, progress, and unexpected surprises. When we first arrived, we started by building a cozy front porch and outdoor kitchen, where we enjoyed our first meal under the stars with friends. (Well, after having a car-b-q as our farm truck blew up… that was not the way we’d planned to introduce ourselves to our neighbors!)

Our days quickly filled with essential projects, like controlling erosion on the driveway slope with clover and grass and tackling a massive timber and brush pile left from the driveway excavation.

As spring blossomed, I turned my attention to our garden. We built terraces with straw bales and planted a variety of vegetables, including onions, tomatoes, and pumpkins. The arrival of a gifted tractor was a game-changer, making tasks like clearing wood piles and tending the garden much easier. With the help of friends and family, we made significant progress on our garden and terraces, creating a beautiful and productive space.

One of the highlights of our journey was meeting our neighbors, both human and animal. Wild turkeys roamed the pastures, and we spotted a majestic blue heron and an otter in the creek in a spot we fondly named Otter Beach. We also enjoyed visits to some local farmers who shared their knowledge of goat and sheep keeping, preparing us for future additions to our homestead.

Despite the challenges, such as dealing with heavy rains and standing water, we found joy in the little things. Sunsets at Idyllwild Woods never ceased to amaze us, and we often spend evenings by the creek, cooling off and unwinding from the day's work. Our pets have adapted wonderfully.

Our biggest milestones included setting up a rainwater catchment system, installing a neolithic French drain to prevent flooding, and starting construction on the Otter Beach gazebo. We've also been busy preparing for winter by chopping and stacking firewood and planning the first guest cottage on the ridge.

As we move forward, we're excited about the future of Idyllwild Woods. We're finalizing plans for guest cottages and geodesic domes, expanding our garden, and continuing to build a beautiful, welcoming space for our guests.

In fact…

We’ve chosen the build site for the first dome, and think we might be able to host our first guests in it in November! (There’s also going to be the spot on Otter Creek for those who’d like to camp in style.)

Some folks have asked about how they can be part of the project to support it - and I’ve got an idea that I’ll share next time.

More than anything…

I just want to THANK YOU for being here, for taking an interest in Idyllwild Woods, and for all the encouragement as we do this thing!

Whenever I’m bone tired, dripping sweat, or feeling overwhelmed, I just think about YOU and the joy it’s going to be to share this place with you - especially around a campfire.

Now that we’ve got electricity - and a Starlink system is on the way so we’ll have internet soon - you’ll hear more frequent updates!

You can also follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see more daily mini updates.

xoxo

Sue