山 アッシュランドホームステッドの人里離れた森の大きな家、アッシュランドから15分.

Hi, I'm Micheline. At present, I spend my time caring for this piece of mountain land and its three homes that my two sons and extended family love so well.
I love long backpacking trips, hiking, skiing, reading, friends and a good conversation. I've been co-director of Stillpoint Foundation (with Gia-fu Feng), cultural anthropologist, teacher/assoc. professor, and landscaper/horticulturalist.
I look forward to getting to know you!

Our parents bought this Oregon property in 1981. They wanted to return to their home state for retirement, having grown up in Portland and being descendants of generations of our family making their homes and founding towns in Oregon. We are hoping that by sharing two of the homes on the property as vacation and retreat rentals, we will be able to keep this family homestead for more generations to come.

This home was designed by my parents, Dan and Jen Wessler, and built by Steve Snure and crew in 1985. The log house was built by myself and my now ex-husband Christian Burchard. The pond house was built by my sister and her husband. The homestead quickly became a gathering place for many friends and family throughout the years.

In truth, the land is far more important than the homes we built on it. It is part of the Klamath Knot, which is the only place in North America where four mountain ranges converge and one of the few places on the continent with such immense biological diversity. It is a crossing place not only of mountains and plants and trees, but also for many birds and animals. In spring the forest is a cacophony of bird songs from thousands of birds happy to return. Many Native American tribes used this crossing place on their way to and from the healing waters of the upper Rogue Valley. White settlers followed their trail as they too crossed over this pass, until it became a stage road, then an automobile road. The remnant of this road is our driveway. On the path to the southern viewpoint, one can see the shell of a very old automobile and the remains of the four-seater outhouse, the roundabout and spring that were part of the stopover here at the top of the pass.

So now, we continue to take care of this small piece of land, help the forest be healthy, and it gives us a beautiful place to live and share.

Walk right down the grassy path a few minutes and be on a beautiful section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Perfect for hiking and trail running (and skiing and snowshoeing in winter), it rises gradually through forest and meadow to the top of a ridge with views of the western mountain ranges, and eventually to Pilot Rock. And it's right outside the front door!

Because we are right on the summit, on the western side of the land one can find great places to watch the sun go down behind the Marble Mountains and the Trinity Alps. One can sit on the deck, work on your laptop and watch the birds. Or sit in the sun room looking out through the trees, with a cup of tea and a good book. (Perhaps even better, soak in the two person ofuro hot tub and watch the moon and stars). It is as if one were in a glass enclosed tree house in the middle of a forest of huge old trees. Or sleep on the futon there and watch the night sky, be wakened by the sun. Walk out along our road to watch the sun setting behind the distant mountain ranges.
Come home from a day out on the snow and hop into a hot cedar sauna. Listen to the low roar of the fire. Run out to cool down in the snow on the sauna house deck, moonlight making it sparkle.

We are lucky to have very good water coming from our well. Nothing is above us, so the water comes up pure and delicious tasting. If you fill the ofuro hot tub, the water will be a very light blue, like spring water.

A short 20 minute drive brings one to the top of Mt. Ashland, great hiking, skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking as well. In spring and summer there is an explosion of wildflowers. Another short drive in to town brings all the choices of entertainment, great restaurants, music and theatre. Gather with family and friends for a special time together, spending time in the outdoors and enjoying what Ashland has to offer. Or completely take a break from town and city life and immerse yourself in nature for awhile.