Thankfully, the tipi came with setup instructions, because while both of us have a good deal of outdoor experience, we have very little with tipis. This is truly an experiment for us, but something we're committed to making work. To be honest, we only have our romantic ideas about how this is all going to go. I do know that we're going to have to be pretty dynamic and that a good deal of trial and error will be necessary before we're totally comfortable, but that's what makes it feel adventurous. We won't be making an attempt to really live in it until June, so that will give us the next two months to learn the ins and outs of the structure. Already, we have been hit with some pretty awful weather since the tipi went up over the weekend. After two days of soaking, steady rain, it is a bit wet inside and it's clear that dampness could become an issue. The canvas itself proved to be water tight, and I've dug a small drainage ditch around the outside of the tipi. However, because of a slight slope to the ground, the water running off of the canvas is slowly working its way across the ground inside, making a muddy mess by the door. I think we can take care of this by putting a layer of cedar chips down as a floor (which will also help to keep the insects out), followed by a few tarps and then some old rugs that we have. This should keep out any water from underneath...we'll have to see. It seems to be a well tested strategy, based on what I've been able to find. We've been getting a lot of great information from a book that Erin's father gave us, The Indian Tipi by Reginald and Gladys Laubin--great resource. Interesting coincidence that I've only recently been made aware of--I work with a woman named Sally Laubin, and the authors of this book are her aunt and uncle!