Teamwork in the Valley: How One Couple Turned a Big Dream Into Reality
A couple that builds together…
Michelle and Blake Buster have one rule: only one person can have a hard day at a time. It’s simple, maybe even a little funny, but it’s the kind of quiet wisdom that has carried them through cross-country moves, ambitious side hustles, and now the adventure of building an off-grid yurt Airbnb together.
Their story isn’t flashy or overnight. They started small — renting out a spare room in Texas, tinkering with backyard projects, renovating campers — and each step taught them something new. When it came time to buy land in the Wenatchee Valley, they chose the more challenging path: off-grid living. It meant setbacks, patience, and plenty of trial and error, but also the reward of doing things the right way.
Spend a few minutes with them and you see it: Michelle’s spark balanced by Blake’s steadiness, his calm met by her persistence, both of them laughing easily even as they talk about hard work. They are partners in every sense of the word, playing the long game with patience and grit. And their newly built yurt is more than a getaway — it’s proof of what can grow when love and consistency build something side by side.
The spark: From Texas Airbnb to Yurt dreams
Michelle and Blake know the value of starting small — and that’s how their Airbnb hosting journey began. They cut their teeth with hosting (and saved some money for their wedding) by renting out their spare room in their Texas home. They’ve since traveled all over the country, taking detailed notes on what works and doesn’t when staying in other Airbnbs.
Their visit to a similar yurt near Glacier National Park is what solidified their vision of being the owners and hosts of one of our area’s most unique stays.
The Busters stayed in touch with their Glacier yurt host and used his expertise as a jumping-off point to realize their own hosting dreams.
Like most of their big projects, though, the yurt didn’t happen overnight. Patience and persistence would become their biggest tools. Before the yurt could come to fruition, Michelle and Blake had even more waiting to do.
Choosing off-grid life in the Wenatchee Valley
The Busters’ yurt sits on the edge of their off-grid ten-acre lot at the end of Watchman Lane, and getting this location was a dream in and of itself.
Before purchasing the land, Blake had written an incredibly detailed list (down to the type of tree) for the kind of land they wanted to buy. When they toured the property, they instantly fell in love. The home was recently renovated, and just up the road was the perfect spot for their yurt (and a really cool rock — but you’ll see it when you get there).
They wrote a “love letter” to the sellers, detailing their plans and excitement for the potential they could squeeze out of those ten acres. And after a little more waiting, the land was theirs.
It was time to get to work — and work it was.
“We wanted a sustainable lifestyle. But it’s not sustainable at all. Everyone thinks that living off-grid is all nature-powered, and to an extent, it is, but you need machines and power to live here.” Michelle and Blake didn’t come into the situation with lofty expectations, but they quickly realized how much work their new lifestyle demanded.
Their first weeks and months were fraught with solar power fiascos and more daily chores than they’d ever faced before. But instead of breaking them, the challenges pulled them closer. Together, they learned how to problem-solve without giving up. “Looking out the back porch and seeing the animals makes it all worth it,” Blake says.
“We’re living other people’s dreams,” says Michelle, “This is special and unique, and we’re always thankful at the end of the day.”
If you asked the Busters about living off-grid, they’d caution you heavily against romanticizing it, which is hard to do when all that nature surrounds you, but as long as you have all of the things you need to get started before you purchase the land and have realistic expectations, living off-grid can be an incredibly rewarding way of life.
And it’s a way of life Michelle and Blake want to share with others.
True to their style, the yurt became another test of teamwork. Just like off-grid life, it demanded patience, creativity, and the willingness to do things the hard way — but the right way.
Building the yurt: Hard work, done the right way
Why a yurt? “Because they’re cool,” Blake says in his matter-of-fact manner. And they really are cool. The unique shape, the open-air feel, all contribute to the out-in-nature vibe (but you’re still only 20 mins from Costco).
The Busters ordered a yurt kit to create the shell, and they were able to customize important details like placing a large picture window in the perfect spot to give their guests stunning views of the Valley.
Together (and after hours of studying other yurt designs), they came up with the best floor plan to maximize space and create a welcoming environment. Blake’s practicality paired perfectly with Michelle’s eye for design, and each decision reflected the balance they bring to every project.
To round out the design, they collected local art, opted for soft, natural colors, and brought everything they love about nature into every detail of the yurt, down to the pine tree cabinet pulls.
Michelle and Blake poured their heart, souls, and complementary strengths into building and designing this alpine oasis, and it shows. The result is more than a structure — it’s a reflection of who they are together.
Inside the yurt: A Wenatchee Airbnb retreat
If you think staying at the Busters’ yurt is a big tent in the middle of the woods, you’re wrong. This yurt is the quintessential glamping experience. There’s a generously sized full bathroom, a king bed, a stocked kitchenette, and high-speed internet available.
“This is not primitive living. This is luxury. All the amenities of a modern home are here. We want people to feel like they can rest, unplug, and enjoy nature.”
Michelle also notes that “…there are tons of health benefits of being out here.” And she’s right. You’ve likely heard that practices like grounding and forest bathing are good for mental and emotional health, but did you know that they can do things like lower cortisol, improve blood pressure, impact blood sugar levels, and even boost your immune system?
A stay at the Busters’ yurt might literally be what the doctor ordered.
And just minutes away from their property are some of the best recreation spots in our Valley: Squilchuck State Park, Beehive Reservoir, Devil’s Gulch, Mission Ridge, and more.
Perhaps more impressive than the luxury Airbnb they’ve built is Michelle and Blake’s experience as business partners.
The rhythm of their partnership
Michelle and Blake are no strangers to teamwork. Together they’ve flipped campers, started side hustles, and renovated backyards. And now, after years of learning together, failing together, and dreaming together, their ultimate dream of building and sharing a yurt has finally become a reality.
Through it all, Michelle says that “our strengths complement each other, and we learn from each other.” That steady rhythm — balancing strengths, learning side by side, and giving each other space for hard days — has been the quiet force behind every project they’ve taken on.
Michelle can now confidently use any power tool or machine, and Blake is so proud of how much she’s learned and how far she’s come.
It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, though. Things break, repairs become rescue missions, and all the things we take for granted down here require four or five extra steps up there. But their rule of “only one person can have a hard day” works for them, keeps them balanced, and refocuses even the hardest moments on their mutual goals.
Why their story matters
For the Busters, building the yurt is really just a means to an end, and that end is to share their love for nature, connection, and rest with those around them. Staying at the yurt is more than a getaway; it’s stepping into a wonderful love story and sharing the fruits of some incredible labor.
Ultimately, Michelle and Blake hope their story inspires others to chase their own dreams, buy the land they’ve been dreaming about, take risks, learn new skills, not be afraid to fail, and work hard alongside their partner.
The Busters are living the dream — are you?
Ready to get away?
We get it, Momma. It’s not always easy to leave your littles, even for a date night, but the yurt is only a short drive outside of town, so getting back to your babies is easy if the need arises.
It’s time to unwind and unplug — and you don’t have to go far to do it.
Michelle and Blake are now accepting reservations on Airbnb from April 1st to October 31st. Click here to find the listing and make a reservation.
Know before you go
A quick heads up, mama — this yurt comes with a bit of adventure before you even check in. The road is steep and bumpy, so you’ll need a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle to make it up. Guests are responsible for their own cars, so consider it part of the off-grid charm (and a good excuse to borrow your friend’s truck if you don’t have one).
