Rebirth, Repair, then Rebuild! |
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Envision Breitenbush with us |
Join us as we head into the next phase of rebuilding and reopening Breitenbush. In this newsletter, we share our general rebuild plans and hoped-for reopen timeline. You will have an opportunity to share your opinions, and we’re listening. |
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When Do We Plan to Reopen? |
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Reopening - The Dream
By Gael Nagle, Breitenbush Staff Member for 20 years
There are two huge things I’ve noticed since we set the goal of a May 28 Memorial Day camping reopening.
What a lot of work!
And, oh my, time is flying by!
We are still optimistic for a late spring reopening for campers, but here in the last months of winter, there is no doubt that it is daunting. We need to make the grounds safe for people, for you, our guests. We still need to remove a tremendous amount of ash and debris from 60 burned-down buildings, as well as many trees killed in the fire. We need to build tent platforms and bathroom/shower facilities. We have decided to increase the number of hot spring bathing options.
Fortunately, we have hired a new Facilities Director. We are very excited to introduce Keith LaChappelle who has already moved in and started work. He will be managing the rebuilding of infrastructure and cabins for guests, all of which burned down in last September’s fire. Keith’s work, like all our work, will be critical for our success.
And so much of this is dependent upon the weather. As I write this article, snow is falling and when snow gets deep enough, it becomes the main job of all the people on the ground, thus delaying any work towards our long-term goals. I’ve been living at Breitenbush for 20 years and I remember one year we had snow covering the community garden in June! We don’t know how we’ll make it, but we are self-reliant people and we always manage.
So we work with each other, the weather and the land, and we hope for the best — to open with a variety of camping options and a wonderful array of bathing opportunities, all in a changed but welcoming landscape.
I look forward to seeing you this summer.
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Our Soft Reopening Includes Soft Lodging |
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Everything else burned down! So the only overnight accommodations available this year will be our tents, your tents or your personal vehicles. For the first time, Breitenbush will be providing ‘glamping’ opportunities! We’ve never had this before, but it sounds fun. Or bring your own tent. And, of course, day use. We’re excited about it! |
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How would you like to stay at Breitenbush for the Soft Reopen?
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The Miracle of Soaking in Hot Springs or Pristine River |
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None of our hot springs, tubs or pools were affected by the fire. We are so grateful for that blessing. We also plan on adding more single bathing options as we prepare to reopen. |
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While All This Reopening Is Taking Place |
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There will be rebuilding going on in other areas of the property. Part of our staff will be working on new guest accommodations. Because we have many visitors who come alone, we are creating Hermitage buildings with single occupancy rooms to accommodate the solo traveler. We will also be building multi-guest cabins, each with its own bathroom and shower. We’re making a start on all these projects this year and hope to finish in 2022. |
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Starting a Nursery for Breitenbush |
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Meet Our New Facilities Director |
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We have hired Keith LaChappelle as our new Facilities Director. Keith has great depth of knowledge in the management of multiple construction projects, and equally has great heart, which can be seen in the history of his work in the world. For instance, Keith founded a non-profit organization, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, for abused or exploited chimpanzees traumatized as experimental lab animals, or in zoos. Not only did he start the organization and raise the money to fund it and buy the land for it (90 acres), he then managed the project of building the complex that facilitates that organization. Keith has also served as a volunteer in many socially conscious organizations including food banks and homeless shelters.
Because of the complexities we face in planning, engineering, rebuilding and reopening at Breitenbush, having a Facilities Director working with us full-time will be crucial to our success and we are very pleased that Keith joins us at this critical time in Breitenbush’s evolution.
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Breitenbush
for Marian
enter the crescent moon, lopsided grin
against a swirl of silver stars, Devil’s
Peak a shard of melting ice. The river spins
its stories, boulders black and blue and white, spills
secrets from its rushing heart: how we shared
our lives, laughed at fears, welcomed tears and soaked
away our sorrows. In Buddha’s Hut we bared
our souls, spoke love and prayers and hope
for lives well lived while yours was waning like
the moon. Days rushed by, a river of grief
flooding us with loss. Your life once bright
as a shooting star reminds us how brief
time lasts. Like rapids passing beneath
a bridge, life doesn’t slow ‘til the end’s reached.
Shirlee Jellum
(Shirlee is friend and guest of many years here at Breitenbush)
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This image from Feb 2021 may not look like it, but it is symbolic of the change in front of us. Hard times always lead to a beautiful Spring and Summer at Breitenbush. |
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Thank You For Your Continuing Support! |
With winter here, we have shifted away from immediate repairs into maintenance, as well as strategy and planning for our next phases. We are a small group of workers entirely devoted to managing the springs and this little off-the-grid human habitation zone.
The love and support from people who care about this place are what keep us going. Donations that have come in thus far have been critical in our initial response. They will continue to be as we go forward and until we are able to begin serving guests on the land again.
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Let's stay connected!
We will continue to share the evolution of our rebuild
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PO Box 245
Idanha, OR, 97350
office@breitenbush.com
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Donations to support the rebuild effort are greatly appreciated and can be made here: |
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