| Whether you're eager to experience outdoor life as | | | | Rustic experience |
| the nomadic tribes of Central Asia did centuries ago, | | | | Adventurous yurt enthusiasts book backcountry yurt |
| or you just want to spend a weekend away, yurts | | | | rentals, walking miles to reach their front door with |
| are the perfect home away from home for reluctant | | | | only their clothes and food in their packs. Winter |
| campers. You can find them in parks and ski resorts | | | | camping is also a popular excursion, whether in a |
| across Canada and the U.S., with many concentrated | | | | national park, backcountry trail or on the slopes of a |
| in Oregon, Hawaii and British Columbia. Popularity of | | | | ski hill. And if you want to trek the Grand Canyon but |
| these ingenious cabins has skyrocketed so much that | | | | don't want to tote your supplies all the way from |
| some require bookings a year in advance. | | | | New England, yurts offer the perfect solution. |
| So what is a yurt? Basically, it's a wood framed tent | | | | For those of you who enjoy the experience of hiking |
| that's covered with durable canvas. Lattice often | | | | through the wilderness, you'll be able to pack a lot |
| surrounds the inside wall for stability. Yurts are very | | | | lighter and enjoy your trip without the sore back. |
| strong and weather-tight, so you won't have to | | | | Since sleeping and cooking supplies will be there |
| worry about waking up to a snow-hill in your | | | | waiting, you don't need to lug them around. Some |
| bedroom. And it doesn't matter what kind of | | | | allow several modes of access, including biking trails |
| vacation you enjoy, unless of course you like to | | | | and driving, great for groups who like to stay |
| literally sleep under the stars - the luxury level can | | | | together but have different ideas about how to get |
| vary widely. Some yurts are basic cabins with bunk | | | | there. |
| beds and a small heater; others are lavishly decorated | | | | The best thing about yurts - aside from their |
| with every creature comfort you could desire, | | | | comfort, the beauty of your surroundings and getting |
| including full furnishings, kitchen, bathroom and TV. | | | | away from it all, they're pretty cheap to rent. Some |
| Many have skylights so you can feel a part of nature | | | | are as low as $30 a night; of course the price rises if |
| without battling the weather and insects that come | | | | you want more amenities. Now, that's sweet, right? |
| with it. | | | | |