For many adults, the word “treehouse“ conjures feelings and images of a carefree childhood. As kids, we loved having our very own private fort, where we can play games, lose ourselves in books, and build friendships. With its vertical positioning, a treehouse offers refuge from the grown-up world. Its relationship with nature and safe, enclosing walls make it the perfect environment for exploration and imagination.
If you share such fond associations and an urge to forgo your adult responsibilities for a while, consider planning a trip to Southern Oregon. Three miles north of California near the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest, Out ‘n’ About Treesort features 12 unique treehouses which you can rent for the night.
You have an array of housing options for your vacation. From the cozy 100-square-foot Serendiptree, furnished with just the essentials, to the fully decked-out 400-square-foot Majestree, each treehouse has its own character and benefits. Choose an acceptable height for your abode as well. With a lower treehouse, you could stay 12 feet off the ground and close to the communal kitchen and fire pit. Or venture up into the beautiful canopy and cross multiple suspension bridges to find your treehouse perched 47 feet off the ground. Gaze down at the horse stable and the zip-lining course from your windows.
As a joint birthday celebration, my partner and I recently visited Out ‘n’ About, and we fell in love with the magical setting. It felt like a summer camp for adults. Many hiking and exploration opportunities reside close by, such as the Oregon Caves National Monument, but if you wished, you needn’t leave the property. Entertain yourself for hours with the multiple swings (including the formidable, swear-inducing Tarzan swing), frisbee golf, volleyball, natural pool, soccer, arts and crafts, and more. If rain dictates it or you’d rather stay cozy, nestle into your treehouse reading books, playing cards, and sipping warm beverages. The staff brags that you have dozens of “activitrees” to choose from.
With the wonderful setting in mind, I’d like to introduce our favorite Out ‘n’ About resident. A friendly, well-fed black cat named Treelo oversees some of the property operations — primarily mice and lap control. She welcomes anyone relaxing in the lodge with chirps and infinity leg circles. She may flop onto her back for you and dough her polydactyl front paws in the air. I remember my aunt had a serving dish that proclaimed, “cat hair makes food taste better;” however, for some reason Treelo is not allowed in the kitchen. The feline will peer in the open door between 8 and 10 AM though to make sure the complimentary breakfast is satisfactory for guests.
Confident of her surroundings, Treelo doesn’t hesitate to climb to the higher canopy treehouses. One afternoon we decided to have lunch at an elevated picnic table near the highest treehouse, the Majestree. As we ascended, we gawked as she scaled the two flights of iron steps behind us. One of the owner’s little dogs, Toto (a double for the Wizard of Oz terrier) trotted up as well. While we enjoyed our veggie wraps, Treelo meandered out onto a suspension bridge. She found a sunny spot, as cats often do, and stretched out in the warmth. Toto, meanwhile, stared at our lunches longingly. We relented and gave him a few cheese samples. He was not satiated and begged for more. After we cut Toto off, he followed Treelo out onto the bridge. With his owner nowhere in sight, we surmised he was lonely and wanted to make a friend. Treelo glared disapprovingly at Toto. The dog whined, but stayed a safe 5 feet away. He didn’t dare inch closer. We admired Treelo for bravely standing her ground, all while lounging on a bridge 30 feet in the air.
At Out ‘n’ About, life unfortunately isn’t just napping in the warm sun for Treelo. Because of a tendency to sleep on the freshly-washed guest towels, she is sometimes kicked out of the main lodge at night. We thought it a travesty. If you are in one of the lower treehouses near the lodge, you may be able to coax her into your treehouse to snuggle up and get warm, as we did. She does not like to be picked up, but she will purr and gratefully accept your pets. She loved my fluffy green sleeping bag. If I hadn’t placed a blanket under her, she would have ripped it to shreds as she doughed with her sharp claws.
We had an amazing time at Out ‘n’ About and look forward to revisiting at some point. If you’re able, I hope you will also plan a trip to this treesort in Cave Junction, Oregon. Not only can you rekindle your love of treehouses, but you will be welcomed by an exceptional black kitty.
Pack your kitty treats. Treelo awaits you.
