How’s your summer going?
Mine has been a blend of writing time and family time so far. Nothing too exciting, but you might find one of the things we did interesting.
We went camping in a yurt. 
YURT
yərt/
noun
- A circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey.
For years, my husband has been saying he wants to sleep in a yurt, so I surprised him by making a reservation to stay in one. He was surprised all right. Turns out, he’d been kidding. Such great husband-wife communicators we are! 😉 Oh well. He was game to give it a try anyway. Son #1 is home from college for the summer and working hard for a roofing company and son #2 is working as a cart-guy for Target. So a relaxing weekend in one of Minnesota’s beautiful recreation areas (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) appealed to them as well.
The yurt was much nicer than we imagined and bigger than our old Winnebago, or even a state park camper cabin. It was round with a vented top and windows and could sleep seven. The yurt had bunk beds, a futon (couch or bed), a 
table, and a wood-burning stove, which we used on chilly mornings. It had no plumbing, however, which meant a walk to an outhouse, but at least it was a nice modern one. And the boys even braved a swim in a very cold lake since we were miles from the showers.
We cooked out, played games, rode bikes, sat around the fire, and teased each other as we like to do.
When our sons were young we used to do a lot of camping. But not much at all in the last few years, so the weekend held a nostalgic poignancy for hubby and me. With a nineteen and seventeen year old barreling toward adulthood adventures of their own, who knows how many more family camping trips we’ll have together? I relished every minute.
Ah, family…
Klassen Campers: Then and Now
What family adventures do you have planned for the summer? Hope you end up with some sweet memories to relish, too.
Latest posts by Julie Klassen (see all)
- The Power of Suggestion | Guest Post by T. Elizabeth Renich - May 13, 2025
- How I Picked The Setting For My New Novel - April 22, 2025
- New Books For Your TBR Pile! - April 8, 2025
Julie, how fun!! When I was researching “glamping” for Love Without End, I came across Yurts as one of the many glamping options. Thought it looked like fun. I camped a lot with my daughters when they were young, but I confess that a nice motel is more appealing to me these days. 🙂
I hear you, Robin! My tenting/sleeping on the floor days are over, but there’s still something about the togetherness of camping I love.
Very interesting! Our plans for the summer include hubby finding a job in SC so we can move there to be near son, daughter-in-love and first grand baby. 🙂
Wow–big changes ahead for you, Melissa! Hope the job search goes well and congrats on your first grandchild.
I love the look back to your little men year ago then how grown they are today. I’m in the same life stage – kids are 19, 17, and 15. Where did the time go? We aren’t camping, but we are doing a little nostalgia this summer. With RWA happening in Orlando this year, I decided to use that as an excuse to have another Disney World family vacation. This will be our third trip. I still have a family photo frame in the living room from our last trip about 6-7 years ago. Kids have changed quite a bit since then. Like you, I wonder how many family trips are left before marriage and jobs start to pull us in different directions. I plan to enjoy this Disney adventure to the fullest while I can.
Hope you have a great time in Disney, Karen. Son #1 was just asking if we’ll ever go back there. Can’t wait to see your side-by-side “then and now” photos, too. 🙂
Your camping trip sounds like such fun. We’re traveling to see our daughter and family in California. On the way we plan stops at Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone.
Sounds great, Betty. We love the Black Hills area around Mt. Rushmore. Have a lovely trip!
What a great gift idea!
My hubby is going on a kayak trip in Lake Superior with other grave souls.
My daughter and grandson will drive with me to the Midwest and the family cottage. We hope to see lots of Lake Michigan scenery I haven’t seen in 50+ years. My husband will definitely camp but the girls will not.
Jen, I hope you mean brave souls and not grave souls! 😉 Just kidding. I’m sure everyone will be safe and have a wonderful time. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and time with family.
Yes I noticed the typo after I posted that. Sorry!
My uncle and aunt lived in a yurt for several years. Apparently their worst problem was that their broad-breasted bronze turkeys kept trying to roost on their roof, which was not meant to withstand half a dozen giant birds, and my uncle would have to go running out in the middle of the night to chase them off.
While I would enjoy visiting Minnesota, I would prefer a nice motel or cabin somewhere. I never have enjoyed camping or even glamping, althought I did enjoy the premise in Robin Lee Hatcher’s book. I want comfort and freedom from chores.
What a cool surprise for your hubby/family! I’m glad your boys were able to go along! THANKS for sharing!
Thank you for the idea of a yurt, looks like so much fun. We loved camping when our big kids were little. Now at ages 20, 18, 16 ….it’s so hard with school and jobs. Our youngest son at age 7 didn’t get those same experiences. We are hoping to do more camping this summer with him. He would love the yurt! Maybe when we visit White Bear Lake, MN this summer to see Grandpa and Grandma and we can look up Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Enjoy the summer!