What? Can one be social in isolation? We so want to socialize during this time of physical distancing.  

From the poem... 

The Tuft of Flowers
BY ROBERT FROST

I went to turn the grass once after one
Who mowed it in the dew before the sun.

The dew was gone that made his blade so keen
Before I came to view the levelled scene.

I looked for him behind an isle of trees;
I listened for his whetstone on the breeze.

But he had gone his way, the grass all mown,
And I must be, as he had been,—alone,

‘As all must be,’ I said within my heart,
‘Whether they work together or apart.’

But as I said it, swift there passed me by
On noiseless wing a ‘wildered butterfly,

Seeking with memories grown dim o’er night
Some resting flower of yesterday’s delight.

And once I marked his flight go round and round,
As where some flower lay withering on the ground.

And then he flew as far as eye could see,
And then on tremulous wing came back to me.

I thought of questions that have no reply,
And would have turned to toss the grass to dry;

But he turned first, and led my eye to look
At a tall tuft of flowers beside a brook,

A leaping tongue of bloom the scythe had spared
Beside a reedy brook the scythe had bared.

I left my place to know them by their name,
Finding them butterfly weed when I came.

The mower in the dew had loved them thus,
By leaving them to flourish, not for us,

Nor yet to draw one thought of ours to him.
But from sheer morning gladness at the brim.

The butterfly and I had lit upon,
Nevertheless, a message from the dawn,

That made me hear the wakening birds around,
And hear his long scythe whispering to the ground,

And feel a spirit kindred to my own;
So that henceforth I worked no more alone;

But glad with him, I worked as with his aid,
And weary, sought at noon with him the shade;

And dreaming, as it were, held brotherly speech
With one whose thought I had not hoped to reach.

‘Men work together,’ I told him from the heart,
‘Whether they work together or apart.’

Dear Community Member,

A couple of weeks ago, we launched a fundraising campaign to help OLT during this closure necessitated by the Covid-19 virus.  Under usual circumstances, we would be greeting people, taking phone calls, and scheduling your reservations. Alas, as everyone knows, this is not a “normal” spring.  We value our guests and our staff and maintaining everyone’s good health is the priority. The most caring activity we can do now is to keep our physical distance while we continue to monitor the situation. We are looking ahead, evaluating the recommendations of the health professionals, and planning for the time that we can safely reopen the hot springs.  We plan to notify everyone about when you can return, including any revised guidelines that will apply.

Folks could at one time gather around a few hand cranked ice cream makers and enjoy companionship at an Ice Cream Social. This is your invitation to gather around the socially connecting activity of injecting a little monetary “ice cream” to keep OLT healthy.

There are many clamoring for a quick return to our usual world. It may be many months before we can function fearlessly in a way that approaches what we knew just a couple of months ago. Orient Land Trust is dedicated to preserving and protecting the hot springs, the natural resources, and the community. It is a breathing exercise; for years we’ve been breathing out. The gathering, the soaking, the joyful recreation has been rejuvenating. Now it is time for an inhalation; a reflective, quiet, resting time when nature prospers uninterrupted. The campground is quiet and the work has slowed. A few of us work in isolation; our voices are soft, infrequent and the air is still.

We look forward to a return to laughter and interaction. We recognize that this place has become a retreat from a frenetic world that exhausts and tries the human spirit. We know that you all need the comfort this place provides and we want you to know that we need you. Your support and participation is what closes the circle. While we shelter in place, we continue to steward the land and protect the resources. With your continued support, OLT will carry on the work of preserving and protecting this amazing place and the experiences it offers. 

Thank you again for being a vital part of the thoughtful community that demonstrates dedication to the value of looking out for each other. We are encouraged by your generous support. We look forward to the day we will see you all again. 

For those wishing to make a general donation to help our staff and preserve our hot springs and other lands, we thank you immensely. 

Donate Today

We appreciate each and every donation. We cannot thank you often enough. We look forward to thanking you again in person.