Sort of Legal

I’m a sucker for unique lodging.  I cannot resist the pull of a hotel, AirBnB, or vacation rental listing that doesn’t look like your typical hotel. Sometimes my impulses lead me to experiences that are more “interesting,” than fun, like Arcosanti in Arizona, but more often than not, I have great experiences, like at the bicycle lodge in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

So, when I came across a listing for a yurt in Athol, Idaho, that the owners affectionately dubbed “The Yurtle,” you better believe I booked it immediately!  A certain giddiness washed over me as it was a perfect first booking for my upcoming multi-month road trip.

And then, as I approached the end of my 200+ mile drive from Bellevue Washington to Athol, Idaho, with my packing tape window following the Washington State window smashing, I started to get nervous.  I started to wonder whether I was moving into the quaint countryside that I had hoped to find or the rural I’ve seen in a few times in my life where locals aren’t too keen on people who “aren’t from around here.”  Fortunately, it was the former.  

As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I was greeted by a friendly AirBnB host who exuded kindness and just a hint of a regional accent.  I am not kidding when I say 90% of the stress that I had developed during a hectic start to my road trip over the instantly dissipated. The remaining 10% dissipated when I saw the inside of the Yurtle and the bathroom.

The Athol, Idaho Yurtle Space

The Yurtle is just plain adorable, complete with string lights, a handmade wood sign, and a wood burning stove.  It’s like a studio apartment – in fact, bigger than all of the studio apartments I’ve lived in.  

• 

• 

• 

There’s a kitchen area with burner, sink, mini-refrigerator, and kitchen table. There’s a hang-out area with a futon, light, small bookshelf, guest book, and Dr. Suess’s Yertle the Turtle, which was the inspiration for the Yurtle’s name.  There’s a bedroom area with a bed, nightstand, and battery powered lantern (great touch for evening trips to the bathroom).

Outside is a large yard, separate from the main house with a table and chairs and fire area.

• 

• 

The bathroom, likewise, has everything you need, and a heater!  It was nicer than a lot of bathrooms in hotels I’ve stayed in.

• 

• 

Things to do Near The Yurtle/Athol, Idaho

When I was checking in to The Yurtle, the host joked that her husband had asked, “What is she going to do here?  Write a book?”implying that there wasn’t much going on in the area. While writing a book would make my dad’s dreams come true, there was too much to do for me to have time for that. 

• 

• 

Athol, Idaho is certainly a small town, the most recent census (2010) put it’s population at just under 700 people, but there’s plenty to do within a 30-minute drive or less, especially if you like the outdoors.  The following are a few of the stand-outs:

• Relax at the Yurtle, my personal favorite activity.  (0-minute drive)
• Check out Coeur D’Alene, Idaho(Apx 30-minute drive)
• Visit Sandpoint, Idaho, a Sunset Magazine, “Best Small Town”(Apx 30-minute drive)
• Hike, trail-run, swim, float, boat, and learn some US military history at Farragut State Park(Apx 7-minute drive)
• Have a screaming good time at Silverwood Theme Park(Apx 10-minute drive)
• Have an in-house roasted cup of coffee at Carrywood Coffee Company (Apx 7-minute drive)

I spent 4 nights / 5 days in Athol and as I was leaving wished I had booked a week.

Book a Stay at The Yurtle

Interested in Staying at The Yurtle?  Here are the links you need to learn more and book:

Yurtle Facebook Page
Yurtle Instagram Page (@the_yurtle)
Yurtle AirBnB Booking Page

Just make sure to leave a week open for me next summer. Thanks! J

Find Other Interesting Accommodations

Interested in finding interesting accommodations?  Ask your friends, check out some of my other lodging posts, or spend some time browsing AirBnB, HomeAway, VRBO, or TripAdvisor(with a little patience, you’ll be surprised what you can find).