Sometimes we are asked about our cabin. People wonder different things about it. We try to explain that it's off the grid and rather unfinished. We realize in those moments that we don't have ready pictures either, though we have ten plus years of pictures, actually.
So I'll attempt to do a little show and tell for you who read here and for our own quick reference for those who ask.
Our cabin sits about three miles inland as the crow flies from the Splitrock lighthouse. From route 61 in Beaver Bay it's about nine miles. And then there is a mile of sometimes almost impassable road/trail that allows us access the cabin with our four wheel drive vehicle. Although we did take the car all the way back last time we were up but perhaps it wasn't the best way.
On a clear night the big Dipper hangs right over the little creek swamp at the foot of our cabin lawn. So do the northern lights if you're lucky and observant. And in July the fireflies light up the lawn and the swamp frogs sing to us sitting in the alcove with the windows open, the screens holding out the mosquitoes.
On a chilly fall evening we make a snapping fire of dry spruce and scrap lumber in the stove and feel cozy and comfy inside.
Yes it's two full stories and has 24 windows. Kind of like an oversized gazebo. It's built on railroad tie pilings. Many people have differing opinions about the wisdom of that and admittedly there will need to be an upgrade. We didn't build it. We didn't own it then.
Because it's in the woods away from any kind of electric lighting, we get to see these sights at night on the way to the outhouse. It's surreal. It almost makes the outhouse okay, honestly.
Remember, I mentioned the road? This is the good part. Those meadows beside the road are alive with wild flowers, nesting sandhill cranes and other birds.
I planted buckwheat in the garden there several years ago. So it keeps coming back and let's me take this special perspective of the cabin.
This is an old rail road grade back in the woods that we walk on to climb up the hill to the top of Buck Mt, where on a clear day we can see lake Superior three miles away. Elv keeps it mowed in summer.
We like to go to the shore. There are state parks and myriads of trails and bridges and walkways all along the shore. Here we are high up above the water so a lot of shoreline can be seen.
Almost every summer, Clark's go up with us for a few days. The kids tent and we basically do a lot of nothing pressing and plenty of eating and hiking.
Our children like to go up with us sometimes when we go. Elv has the off grid electrical and water systems created to his understanding and everyone just likes letting him man that stuff.
I planted foxglove in the garden in 2019. It bloomed for me for one year and then disappeared. Typical of zone 2 to kill nice perennials.
This is upstairs in the cabin. A good place to read and dream and scribble. Elv's mother's library is right across the room.
Besides two bedrooms and the front room I just showed you; Elv has this little study. This room is situated on the corner, top story, overlooking the front lawn and swamp. He feels like this place is his tower room.
Our stoves reside back to back sharing the chimney. It works well, although we know it's not recommended, but they both draw well and if they smoke it's because some dummy didn't operate the damper correctly. That would be me.
Here's the dear old water wagon. And I should have a picture of Elvs little utility room where the reservoir and the battery bank and the water heater all live and make our cabin life amazing with lights and running water and shower. And drains. I suppose there might be a picture of that somewhere but apparently not in this post.
This is taken sitting in the alcove looking across to the dining room. Yes, I sanded and stained and varnished the plywood subfloor and it has become our beloved wood floor.
Elv, off to mow the trails.
One of the beautiful things that we enjoy when we're there in summer is the abundance and variety of wild flowers everywhere.
While looking for photos for this post I found all the pictures from 2020 when we lived at the cabin full time for eight months. We loved it. We hope we can do that again someday.
Lately the spruce bud worm has killed off many of the spruce trees in the area. This creates a potential fire hazard. The trees are being blown over by any little wind these days. Hopefully they will rot quickly. The younger trees are shooting up to replace them already, thankfully.
We're happy to share our cabin, but the reality checks are there: Poor road, and it's off grid which includes the outhouse, which some folks consider a dilemma. We have every other convenience. The booster quit working the other year so there's only basic texting possible. That's one of the good parts.
For us it's an ongoing adventure and a place to vacation. If we're there on Sunday, a short hike uphill gets us within range of tuning into church.
Also we have neighbors there from whom we bought the property. If it weren't for them this cabin wouldn't be ours. So let's give due credit. We are richly blessed.
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