Coyote Spirit Festival 2013

I made the trip through the Oregon Outback to Paisley, Oregon a couple of weeks ago to attend the Coyote Spirit Festival @ Summer Lake Hot Springs. It’s a place that I’ve visited many times before – usually on my way to or from the Great Nevada Arts Festival. It’s out in the middle of nowhere – the views are spectacular – and the quiet is soothing and delicious. Over the years I’ve gotten to know the various caretakers of the sacred land – and now am friends with the owner, Duane Graham. Duane’s the friendly guy who welcomes you when you hop out after your long drive.

So, this year, I rented a car, picked up a guy who’d just flown in from Hawaii, and cruised East on 84, south on 197, further south through Bend on 97, and then East on 31 for 5 and a half hours and landed in the evening. I somehow missed Cassandra Robertson and Wynter Byrnes’s set but got to hear a lot of fantastic music for the rest of the weekend. My personal highlight was the man who played something very sitarish/dulcimerish on Sunday morning to himself (Sharinam) – but the music traveled everywhere – it was so soothing… Also, the music in the bathhouse – crystal bowls were placed in the water and people didged, as well – very magical!

There were food vendors – my favorites were the raw/vegan folks – I had some raw oatmeal for breakfast on Saturday which was delicious. Also, the thin-crust pizza makers forced me to give up on my wheat-free ways on Saturday night, briefly.  And, Terry’s Trading Post was fun and magical. I hope to bump into Terry at another festival this Summer – what a character – he had a little of everything – and saved my passenger’s ass by handing over blankets and pillows to him as he’d arrived from Hawaii sans gear.

Summer Lake Hot Springs is like no place I’ve ever visited on Earth. The waters are healing and plentiful and hot! The views are spectacular. The price is right – very inexpensive to camp there and easy to get a good night’s sleep as it’s extremely quiet, generally 🙂  Go Go Go 🙂

I hope to return to the Coyote Spirit Festival again next year and perhaps bring a posse. The festival had a lot of folks from Bend, there, which was great – nice to meet interesting people from other parts of the state – who knew Bend had so many cool people?  And, lucky me, I’ll probably be down soon on my way to the playa.  If you ever get a chance to visit Summer Lake Hot Springs – go – take some time – soak in the amazing waters, enjoy the magical views – enjoy the birdlife and great hospitality.  And, bring a hat – it can get chilly at night!   For more photos from the festival visit SLHS on FB.