Highwater Farm is beautifully located on rolling farm land in close proximity to hiking adventures, the Puget Sound, and backroad towns with pubs full of local characters. In-between their most prolific seasons, Danielle and Jeff planted kale and weeded around tender onions while sharing woes of the hottest summer on record. They've teamed up with WSU to host native bees, allowing their land to grow wildly with thistle and clover as a welcome to their new inhabitants. I traveled to the farm to camp with my dear friend, Anja, who brought her guitar and delicious coffee to share. We were shown many options for camping and opted for the secluded space amidst the tall grass, near rows of beets and shading trees. As their first-ever campers, we stomped down a path and space that made our tented temporary home feel cozy and extra inviting. Although we had to continually bathe in mosquito repellant, we enjoyed the space we created with chairs and a portable table. To escape the fatigue of a long drive, we drove a few minutes away to Clear Lake where we took a dip and grabbed a frosty pint at the local dive. Upon our return for dinner, Anja created a table space out of hay bales and a board where we cooked up smoked gouda burgers and sipped on Petite Syrah. As the stars appeared, so did the bats, and Anja played her melodic originals, welcoming Danielle and Jeff to our created space. Despite the chill of the burn ban, we enjoyed each other's company for quite sometime before retiring to our cove in the trees. The dewy morning felt refreshing to our sun soaked skin and we made coffee with views of eagles and morning doves. A far away train passed through the valley with reminders of a working farm and determined farmers raising children and honoring the land. The neighboring donkey humorously declares he's there, startling us every time with his hilarious bleat. Although the toilet wasn't in perfect working order amidst a space in transition, it was a welcomed amenity. There's an adorable camper under a willow tree that would be ideal for glamping, adding to the charm of a rustic farm. With so much potential for a perfect stay, Danielle and Jeff are wonderful hosts full of stories and a deeply appreciated dry sense of humor.