Canvas cabins

There are those of us who love camping: still nights under a thin layer of canvas, feeling almost at one with nature beneath twinkling stars.

There are also those who hate camping: crawling into tents, sleeping on lumpy sleeping bags almost at one with nature beneath twinkling stars.

It was no wonder then that when I decided to take a trip to Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes on San Juan Island, I thought of my friend Tonya.

I love to camp. She hates it. I wanted to see if a more luxurious type of tent, in the form of Lakedale’s new custom built canvas cabins, might melt that cold, eye-rolling, anti-camping attitude.

Knowing that the canvas cabins were equipped with full-size beds, soft sheets, warm quilts, and tables and chairs for us to play an evening game of Scrabble, I figured this home-away-from-home would suit my friend to a T.

Still, I didn’t tell her exactly where we were going until we got on the ferry from Anacortes.

The mention of the word resort brought a sparkle to Tonya’s eyes. When I ‘fessed up about the canvas cabins … well, as they say, slowly she turned. There was the glare I’d hoped to avoid.

We drove off the ferry and fewer than five miles from Friday Harbor to Lakedale Resort, where we were greeted by friendly faces. We checked in at the 82-acre resort’s grocery store where all campers and RVers go to garner a spot.

Helpful staff handed us two lamps, both battery operated, and told us where to pick up the kindling we would need to make s’mores. They marked a map and we drove to the spot where the canvas cabins sit perched above Lakedale’s Neva Lake.

Tonya still wasn’t quite her usual joyous self as we climbed a small incline to get to the tent.

However, when she saw what treasures the 225-square-foot accommodation held, there was a definite nod of approval.

There is no crouching down in these tents. Canvas doors and windows can be unzipped, buckled and rolled. The bed, with a dark wicker headboard, and the double futon were comfortable. Brushed cotton sheets and feather quilts. Ahhhhhhh.

Not only were there real fluffy towels in a Pier One-ish basket but there was an oval mirror hanging on the canvas wall at perfect height for noncamper makeup application.

A bedside table, clock and the table and chairs all fitted nicely in the canvas cabin. The fire pit and two chairs for relaxing out front were great extras.

Those staying at the cabins need either to take their own food or drive into Friday Harbor and dine at one of the quaint town’s many restaurants. Lakedale Resort has a lodge but no eating facilities. The grocery store has a nice mix of food for campers who don’t want to stray too far from the grounds.

After returning from dinner we made our way from our tent to the bathrooms, a few minutes’ walk from our abode. During the night this was a little disorienting and one of the lamps or a flashlight will be your best friend.

Like any other tent, the walls of the canvas cabins are thin enough that you can hear your neighbors. And they can hear you. The walls are thick enough to fend off rain and wind.

Like most other campgrounds, the toilets and showers – they take quarters – are shared with those who are camping or staying in their RVs.

There is kayaking, hiking on the many trails at Lakedale, or barbecuing while playing horseshoes or volleyball. Paddle or row rental boats and fish on the lakes. Bait, poles and licenses are included in the canvas cabin deluxe package.

For someone who doesn’t care for camping, Tonya had a good time. The tents and their location meant a great night’s sleep in a snug bed off the ground.

If plugging in your hairdryer is an absolute must, try the resort’s cabins or the lodge, where rooms are spacious, impeccably decorated and perched on the side of a lake.

But if you want to take camping up a notch, try the canvas cabins where comfort meets a starry night.

Christina Harper is a Snohomish County freelance writer. She can be reached at harper@heraldnet.com.