Free Spirit Spheres

Free Spirit Spheres
Monday April 20-21

My time spent on Vancouver Island has been an adventure filled with new and exciting experiences, beautiful scenery, and the opportunity to spend time with family. I’m so glad that we decided to spend the extra 300 something dollars and make a stop in Nanaimo. I’d have to say staying in the Free Spirit Spheres was one of the coolest things I have ever done. For those of you who we didn’t get the chance to tell about spheres, I will do my best to give you an explanation but please check out the pictures on picasa. They will do a better job!

Rosey and Tom are the owners/creators of the spheres. Tom has a background in engineering and building ships. During a state of dreamlike meditation he had visions repeatedly of spheres hanging from trees. He was inspired by the idea of circular space without four walls that have a beginning and an end. He wanted something with smoother lines and a softer, more comfortable feel. So, he went to work in his shop and created the first sphere named Eve. This is where Katina and Sebastian spent the night. The second sphere, and only other one available to rent, is named Eryn. This is where Nate and I stayed. Eryn is a foot and a half bigger than Eve, but feels much more spacious. After the first one they were on a roll. They are equipped with a bed, storage, booth like table, and ours had a loft, microwave, and fridge. There was a bathhouse with two very nice bathrooms with showers, a kitchenette, and a sauna (which we took advantage of). The spheres were sort of Swiss Family Robinson-esque hanging in the trees. There are steps swirling around the tree leading up to each sphere supported by a series of ropes and cables. Eryn swayed in the wind and with movement, even scratching my leg. For 2 days after I felt occasional moments of unsteadiness like after getting off of a boat.

When we arrived we went into the home where Rosey and Tom live at 420 Horne Lake Road very anxiously anticipating the first glimpse we might catch of the spheres. We signed waivers and visited with Rosey and Tom for a few minutes. They immediately made us feel welcome. Tom was working in his shop to build a sort of giant portable stand out of trees to hang a sphere on at conventions or showings. After Rosey gave us a tour of Eve and Eryn she brought us each a welcome basket with muffins, yogurt, fresh fruit and champagne to toast our upcoming trip. We settled in, grabbed a beer (Okanogan Pale Ale) and went to check out the action in the workshop. Rosey, Nate and I chatted about Australia as she had spent some time living, working, and traveling there. We watched “crazy Tom Chudleigh” shimmy up a crane completely unsupported to hammer in some bolts. It was quite fascinating to watch him work. He asked for Nate to step in and help him try to put weight on the crowbar to correctly position one of the giant logs. Nate had been watching just waiting for an opportunity to jump right in. I think he enjoyed it.

I can understand why they chose to call them “Free Spirit” Spheres. You are in nature, surrounded by beautiful things, away from the hustle and bustle with nothing but time to relax and enjoy one another’s company. Nate and I had an excellent night’s sleep in our Sphere. We were awakened to the sound of roosters, a horse underneath us, and the sunlight shining through the trees. There was a French press to make coffee, which we enjoyed during our last moments in the Sphere. Sebastian had to get back for a French exam so we said goodbye to Eve and Eryn, thanked Rosey and Tom for their hospitality, and made our way back to civilization.