Dear John,
With a project such as Harbin’s – completely rebuilding after a disaster – it’s natural to be focused on the physical dimension. Clearing fire debris, restoring the land and forests, planning and building all the infrastructure, and getting the pools restored and re-opened... This has been management’s focus ever since the fire. And reporting on that progress, including some of the frustrations, has been our focus in these newsletters. But Harbin is, of course, about much more than how the retaining walls are shaped and where the buildings go. Harbin is about people.
How do we relax and connect, and get to know ourselves better? How do we show and share support and appreciation for each other, and for our world? How do we love, and express that love every day with the people in our lives? Even more than the depth of our waters, it is the depth of our human connections – both casual and intimate – that weave the fabric of meaning in our lives. We are proud and humbled by Harbin’s long history as a nexus of loving connection for so many people. And it is our intention to be that place soon again, for old friends and new, long into the future.
Until then, please enjoy this latest newsletter, including: recent rebuilding news, the seedling report, a shoutout for Harbin’s artists, and current photos of our progress. |
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Rebuilding Update
Among the most positive news this month, is that we have applied for permits to install a temporary Events Trailer in the former resident parking lot. If approved by the County, this open-floor-plan structure will enable us to offer yoga and other classes as soon as we reopen. To read more about this and other recent rebuilding developments, please click here. |
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Planted and Growing
As anticipated and described in last month’s newsletter (click here to review the details), we have successfully completed the planting of another 9,400 tree seedlings – without using the toxic chemicals common to most large-scale reforestation. You’ll find these precious trees taking root creekside throughout Harbin’s riparian areas, and flanking our most recently cut hillside access and hiking trails. |
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Harbin’s Artists at Work
Planning infrastructure and pouring concrete are crucial to our rebuild, but not nearly the full story. Making the whole place look and feel like Harbin is a whole other process – one that will be ongoing and evolving through all our coming years of construction. If you’ve been following these newsletters, though, you’ve already seen some glimpses of our artists’ and artisans’ recent work: the window above the hot pool; lighting details in the sauna; the header on the bridge over the creek by the meadow; design studies for the inflow pipe at the cold plunge...
In next month’s newsletter, we’ll introduce three long-time Harbin residents. They each worked for decades to help craft the feeling and beauty of the Harbin you remember; now, they’re busy bringing their love to the new Harbin Hot Springs. See our newsletter next month for a closer look; and in the mean time, please enjoy these photos of our current progress. |
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| And for this month, that’s our news – except to share that the feeling at Harbin, right now, is hopeful. Spring is here, and the weather is warming. We’ve had some rain, and it's phenomenally green. The broad strokes of Phase 1 of our rebuild are nearly complete, and we’re turning our attention increasingly to operational systems, staffing, artistry, and the myriad details of this Herculean undertaking of re-opening Harbin for soaking and sun. Thank you for reading and staying interested – we look forward to being back in touch next month and telling you more. |
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