Nestled on the Washington-Oregon border just east of Portland lies the Columbia River Gorge, a remarkable collection of carved basalt cliffs, evergreen trees and dramatic views of the Columbia River. It is hard to leave this place of amazing nature once you have visited it, even if you live nearby, as I do. I love to spend living alone in the area where I can enjoy a quiet, restful retreat without having to drive too far from my hometown of Hood River, Oregon.
On my last visit, I stayed in a modern cabin at Tenzen Springs & Cabins, just an hour from Portland in a town called Stevenson, Washington. While there are a few different cabins to choose from, they are all run by the same host on Airbnbthe main reason i chose the one i did is for the kitchenette, mini fridge, cookware and stove top. Others have a microwave, which is convenient if you don’t plan to cook, but I really wanted to immerse myself in the property without having to go out for food, so I opted for a full kitchen.
My scenic drive to Tenzen followed the Columbia River on Highway 14 and gave me a glimpse of the beautiful waterway that would be my home for the night. After climbing a windy road to the top of a hill, I was greeted by a welcoming sign and gate announcing my arrival at the property. Self check-in was easy thanks to the provided gate code and door code for my new home, cabin five. There was also a parking space right next to the cabin which made unloading quick and easy.
Inside, the home was a beautiful blend of traditional Scandinavian design and an authentic Japanese bathhouse. The luxurious king size bed was perched on a wooden platform with skylights above and large panoramic windows overlooking the surrounding trees, giving the impression that you are truly surrounded by nature. To preserve the off-grid aspect of the property, there were no televisions in place—instead, the space was stocked with cozy essentials like area guidebooks, coloring books, and games.
There are six cabins on the 100-acre grounds that make up Tenzen Springs & Cabins, with a few more in the works. But it really doesn’t feel crowded here. The entire site is child- and animal-free, which definitely affects the noise and activity level. After only 20 minutes in place, I began to feel a sense of peace and calm. I went to the edge of the bluff and took in breathtaking view of the river as the sun began to set. As I made my way back to the cabin, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of deer in the distance, happily prancing through the tall grass.
