40
may 18.2001
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Women in the Woods
S o a k in g u p so m e f u n w it h t h e d y k e s
by
N
a t a l ie
S h
a p ir o
E
“We have people send back pages on what
very August, 120 lesbians descend on a
they can and can’t eat,” Jordan laughs. “One
remote hot springs in western Oregon.
woman seemed to be only able to eat lettuce
This phenomenon is the annual Women
and plain rice.”
in the Woods gathering at Breitenbush
The solution is self-service food bars with
Hot Springs near Detroit.
potatoes, burritos and salads. Jordan’s girlfriend,
W1W was started in 1984 by a Portland
Keri Salim, owner of the North Portland
woman inspired by the annual Radical Faeries
restaurant Chez What, plans the vegetarian
gatherings. Except for a five-year hiatus
menu. “Every year we fine-tune it some more,”
because of monetary problems, the camping
Jordan promises.
event has occurred yearly with enthusiastic
So far the only complaints about sleeping
attendance.
accommodations concern snoring. Several
The mission of WIW is to provide les
camping options are available: spaces for
bian-focused events for women-bom women.
women’s own tents, pre-pitched tents and
Its goals are to provide a safe, nurturing
1930s-era cabins and rooms in the lodge that
environment for supporting lesbian culture
and to bring together women of diverse
are wheelchair-accessible. On that note, Jor
races, ages, cultures and economic and edu
dan explained a downside of the event: None
of the hot tubs are wheelchair-accessible.
cational backgrounds.
Breitenbush is the ideal location to
The demographics of WIW participants
achieve these goals, Jesse Jor
dan explains. She is a member
of the WIW organizing team,
whose official name is Sensual
Women Attaining Teamwork,
or SWAT
“Breitenbush is a magical
place,” Jordan says. “It’s a
beautiful old-growth forest
with hiking trails, and the
whole place is at a hot
springs.”
The healing hot springs
themselves are a reason to
visit Breitenbush. “After a
couple days, you are cleaned
up of any toxins,” Jordan
attests.
Women also experience a
community that is completely
self-reliant. “They generate
their own power from the
river, have an organic garden
and produce geothermal heat,”
Jordan says of the 40 people
who operate Breitenbush.
Besides soaking in hot
The SWAT team at play
springs and hiking, what is
there to do during the four-day gathering?
have changed though the years. Past gatherings
Expect an unstructured experience, the SWAT
saw a higher number of older women, but that
team says. This is a welcome relief from the
has reversed.
average woman’s hectic, structured life.
Sometimes the age gap is evident. “We had a
Events unfold with varying degrees of
game show where the older ones wrote the ques
spontaneity. “We don’t plan the workshops—
tions,” Jordan says. “The younger ones didn’t
they just happen,” Jordan says.
know the answers. So this year the younger ones
One year, a woman wanted to talk about
will help write the questions.”
sex. “80 women showed up!” Jordan says.
WIW also is evolving beyond the annual
Workshops and discussion groups are cre
event. At last year’s gathering, a participant
ated by the participants. For example, if
noticed many “gray-haired beauties.” She
someone wants to talk about relationships,
organized a workshop called “Age vs. Sage” for
she simply writes down a time and place on a
women older than 50, and younger women also
schedule in the lodge, and most likely women
were interested in attending to see what was
will show up.
ahead for them. This group has continued to
The key to WIW is to relax and be spon
meet throughout the fall and winter.
taneous. “You can do anything! You can be
Another new idea is slated for next year.
alone, socialize, do workshops, art,” Jordan
“This will be a bridge between the Radical
says. “Last year was so funny— we had a Tal-
Faeries and the WIW events and will attempt to
ent/No Talent Night.” And they even played
create a space for everyone,” Jordan says. JP1
Who Wants to Be a Lesbian Millionaire.
With all the fun, WIW still has its prob
This summ er’s WOMEN IN THE W OODS takes place
lems. The biggest is food. Several campers
Aug. 23 to 26. Registration is $ 2 5 0 for four days
complained last year when bell peppers inad
and three nights or $185 for three days and two
vertently ended up in the food. (Sounds
nights. Special accommodations can be arranged if
harmless!)
planned early. For more information and to obtain a
Getting 120 dykes to agree on the menu is
registration form , call 503-284-0722 or e-mail
next to impossible. Participants send in
womenmthewoods@hotmail. com .
details on any special dietary needs along
with their registration form.
NATALIE S hapiro is a Portland free-lance writer.
PHOTO BY LINDA KLIEWER
LUMBERJACKIE
CHANNELING BILLY HOLIDAY IN
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