GLAMP MONROE: FALLING WATER GARDENS

Falling Water Gardens GLAMP MONROE:

BY CHRIS HENDRICKSON

M

eant to offer a striking balance between rustic charm and elegant sophistication, the glamping tents at Falling Water Gardens provide an unparalleled lodging experience that can accommodate a kaleidoscope of different tastes.

“Glamp Monroe” is just one facet of Falling Water Gardens, a lush, 10-acre aquatic nursery located just south of Monroe on S.R. 203. The grounds at Falling Water showcase the commanding pastoral views found prevalently throughout the Tualco Valley, a bucolic area between Monroe and Duvall that marks where the Snoqualmie and Skykomish river valleys meet. It’s a vibrant region boasting a host of agricultural uses, from organic vegetables to dairy farms and everything in between.

Falling Water Gardens is owned and operated by Rick Perry and Ken Hunt, who purchased the retired strawberry farm in 2008 as home base for their award-winning aquatic landscape

design company. Since then, the two have crafted a serene sanctuary,

accented by gently flowing water features, sculpted gardens, yard art,

marginal plants, koi fish ponds, and a variety of farm animals.

Falling Water hosts events and is an emerging wedding venue, which is how the glamping tents sprang into existence. They needed space for the bride and groom to get ready so they built the glamping tents to accommodate that need.

Their goal was to create enchantment, which is exactly what they’ve done.

“Glamping,” a linguistic blend of the words “glamorous” and “camping,” offers all the amenities of a luxury hotel, including comfortable beds, plush furniture and subtle lighting. The tents are available from June through September and are booked through Airbnb.

The Huntsman Tent sleeps two and is decorated in a safari theme, complete with leather furniture, an antler chandelier, carved masks and art from around the world. The Satterley Tent, which

sleeps four, is set to a “Lawrence of Arabia” theme, embracing lavish Victorian details including a crystal chandelier, framed art, and rich, distinguished furniture.

Each tent is equipped with LED candles, an ice bucket, wine glasses, water, coffee maker, microwave, small refrigerator, dishes, silverware, space heaters and more. The shared space between the two glamping tents offers citronella torches, a gas fire pit and a barbecue with utensils.

“It’s all lit at night,” Rick said. “We have well over 250 lights in the garden, so the entire place is lit up. It’s very magical.”

Glamp Monroe offers guests a compelling departure from the generic atmosphere found in typical lodging accommodations, as guests are invited to explore the working farm at their leisure.

In addition to inspirational gardens, play areas, lawn games and personable koi fish, there are chickens, peacocks, a herd of alpacas and a small drove of goats, who earn their keep by eating the weeds down. The alpacas occasionally sport crafty haircuts, so guests may find them resembling zebras, giraffes or poodles. The goats are friendly, outgoing and enjoy greeting visitors, and will offer their heads for scratches and petting.

An Anatolian shepherd named Kopek serves as the chief security officer, a self-appointed role he’s held for over two years. Kopek, which means “dog” in Turkish, is yet another aspect of Falling Water that enhances its allure,

Falling Water Gardens is located at 17516 S.R. 203, Monroe, Washington, 98272. For more information about Falling Water, including scheduled events, please visit the website at: fallingwatergardens.com. Glamping tents must be booked through Airbnb. To book one of the glamping tents, please visit Airbnb at airbnb.com.

adding an intriguing layer onto its overall story. Initially, Kopek belonged to a neighbor, who adopted the dog to help guard a herd of steer. But Kopek felt better suited to care for Falling Water’s small herd of goats, and repeatedly returned there to do his job. Eventually, his owner gave up, and Rick and Ken adopted the shy, gentle giant, who watches over his goats with a quiet diligence that is nearly palpable. And Kopek isn’t the only fourlegged creature to choose Falling Water as his home. Recently, a fluffy white bunny rabbit took up residence, and made fast friends with the rest of the crew.

“The dog adopted us and then a bunny adopted us,” Rick said. “One day we looked out and there was a big white bunny out there and the big white bunny has never left. He hops around with the roosters now, and we had to buy bunny food to feed him.” Falling Water invites guests to stop by and explore the grounds or attend one of its signature events. At the upcoming Mother’s Day weekend event, which takes place Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12, families can meander through the gardens and shop for unique yard art, while enjoying decadent refreshments, raffles, a scavenger hunt, gifts and more. Check the Falling Water Facebook page for additional details! CM

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