Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Book, Music & Lyrics by Min Kahng

Book, Music & Lyrics by Min Kahng

Based on the book by Grace Lin

Based on the book by Grace Lin continued from previous page a life-threatening brain bleed, this pair managed to complete 95% of the house themselves while still working their full time jobs. “We quickly learned that when you successfully live tiny, you have to adapt and create sustainable living spaces, including outside living spaces,” says Jaimie. The addition of a shop and some extra living space meant the tiny house was now open for visitors.

In 2020, however, Jaimie and Dave saw an even more pressing need for sustainability. Coupled with Dave’s health scare, they had taken a heightened interest in the food that we consume and channeled their knowledge and passion into homesteading. “We didn’t even have a single chicken when 2020 started,” says Hinckle. They did, however, become Master Gardeners that year, to learn even more about growing and preserving fruits and vegetables. They had already established greenhouses, orchards and berry patches on the property, and in the summer of 2020, they took their homesteading to the next level, adding 12 chicks to the family. Soon after, dogs joined the property and finally, in the spring of 2021, they rescued a fold of Highland cows, or coos. Wanting to provide a hospitable home for their animal friends to live peacefully, they knew they needed more property, and as luck would have it, their neighbor moved and continued on page 30

Feature: Unique and Unforgettable Getaways in Southwest Washington (cont'd) continued from page 29 sold them seven additional acres which would work out well for their gorgeous new brood. “We didn’t have a mortgage until we rescued the cows, but we are glad they are living their best life,” says Jaimie.

Guests are now able to enjoy a stay in the shipping container and enjoy being surrounded by nature, fresh produce, chickens and of course, the coos. Guests have dubbed this a “magical space,” “so stinkin’ cute,” and a beautiful place full of gorgeous views and friendly animals. This is a one-of-a-kind story and a lovely spot and for anyone craving some solitude, simplicity and some snack-loving Highland coos.

Sleepy Sasquatch Hollow

In an effort to launch into the short-term rental business and also learn how to renovate, Ammon Service purchased a property in terrible shape but with lots of untapped potential. The 1.3 acres in Longview looked like a huge, overgrown undertaking, but underneath the blackberry bushes lay a hidden wonderland. Ammon, his fiancé (now wife) Keziah and Ammon’s brother spent a year and a half uncovering what lay beneath: at least 40 different varieties of fruit trees and flowering trees, oaks, walnut and pines. “Whoever lived here before had obviously planted these trees with care and intention,” says

Service. With enough time and patience, the magic of the property revealed itself, and they used three quarters of an acre of blackberry bushes to create an interactive maze for guests to enjoy.

The brothers, who didn’t know much about renovation at the start of the project, began teaching themselves and documenting their adventures. They eventually decided that this majestic property lent itself nicely to the lore of Sasquatch, and thus a theme was born. The house is filled with tiny homages and décor to celebrate the Pacific Northwest’s mythical legend, but the greatest tribute might be the Sasquatch den in the home’s faux cellar. A one-way mirror and a regular mirror paired together create the illusion of an infinite hole beneath the house, and a button on the wall with Sasquatch’s roar creates a delightful illusion of Sasquatch roaring up from beneath.

Guests have become endeared to the quirky and fun additions to the house, including a coin-in candy machine, a wall featuring board games, and plenty of trails and picnic spaces to discover. Close to Mount St. Helens, the coast, and nearby waterfalls, Service describes the home’s location in Longview as “the perfect landing spot for adventure.” Whether you’re a Bigfoot believer or a Sasquatch skeptic, this dog-friendly home will charm anyone with its delight and whimsy.

Emily Corak has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past three decades. A former educator with the Vancouver School District, Emily is now a freelance writer, photographer, and mom to two young kids with big personalities. She graduated last fall with her MFA in creative writing, and she would gladly spend all of her free time reading and traveling, if it would only pay the bills.

2 TUESDAY

Finding Home: The Immigrant Experience

Through Words and Pictures at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver. Celebrate and develop a better understanding of the immigrant journey with an in-depth discussion about the hopes and hardships of finding home. These powerful, compelling stories might be written for children, but this discussion will be more appropriate for adults and older teens. Refreshments provided. 6 pm

3 Wednesday

Reflecting Rainbows: LGBTQ+ Immigrant Experience (Online through FVRLibraries). Join a discussion of the intersection of immigration and LGBTQ+ issues. Participants will be given short reading/viewing/listening materials to review ahead of the meeting. Attend the Zoom session with the intention of learning and growing in your knowledge and understanding. This program is best suited for adults. LGBTQ+ and allies welcome. All participants agree to contribute to creating a safe space. Register at fvrl.librarymarket. com/reflecting-rainbows-lgbtq-immigrantexperience. 7 pm

4 Thursday

The Historic Music Preservation Project: Preserving Historic Music for Future Generations at Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. As part of CCHM’s Speaker Series, Sammuel Murry-Hawkins discusses The Historic Music Preservation Project, an organization he founded, that is dedicated to the preservation and cataloging of historic popular dance sheet music published between 1880 and 1955. Tickets $3-$5 at cchmuseum.org. 7 pm

Majesty: A Tribute to Queen at Columbia Theatre, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview. Come see one of the UK’s premiere touring Queen tribute bands. If you are looking for a spectacular night of Queen’s greatest hits, Majesty is “Guaranteed to blow your mind!”