Those of us who live in the Midwest know what it’s like to live through a cold winter. There are some days when we can experience all four seasons within hours. But winter tends to be dreary and cold with lots of ice and the occasional dumping of 6-8 inches of snow. Temperatures can range from zero to 50° F.
But a few months ago, I found out first-hand that what we deal with in Ohio is a piece of cake compared to the weather folks in northern Minnesota experience.
In late February and early March, I visited my middle son, Philip, near Isabella, Minnesota. He’s working at a sled dog kennel where he gives sled rides to tourists while they still have snow.
When my son’s boss injured his hand at the same time there was a three-day event happening, I decided to offer my help. I spent the week in an electricity-free cabin heated by a wood stove. And I worked hard the entire time I was there. Well, hard for a 60-year-old out-of-shape woman from Ohio trying to survive routine -30° F weather and having 18-inches of new snow dumped on the three feet already there.
Despite all of this, it was one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.
Northern Minnesota Is In Another Universe
In Ohio, when I “go to town,” it takes about five minutes. At the kennel, a “quick trip” to the nearest grocery store can take 30 to 45 minutes – one way. The nearest fire station is more than an hour away. And the nearest hospital is in Duluth, about two hours south.
The days were long and full of activity.
I was there primarily to feed the workers and clean up the mess when everyone was done.
My adventure started on a Sunday afternoon. I am not the most graceful person, especially in snow. If someone had recorded my actions, I’m sure the recording would have gone viral. Just getting from the parking area to the cabin was like walking through an obstacle course.
Floundering In the Snow
About 10 feet in front of the cabin, a drift had formed. Philip created a path through the drift that consisted of about an eight-inch-wide trail of packed snow. I had my purse, computer bag and travel bag slung over both shoulders.
With every step, I lost my balance and slid down into the three feet of unpacked snow on either side of the path. That may not have been the most hilarious thing, but I started laughing when I tried to get back up. And I just couldn’t.
I had nothing to brace my arms against and kept sliding into the drift.
When I finally made it to the cabin side of the drift, I wasn’t out of the woods by a long shot. Now I had to get the cabin door open.
The handle broke quite a while ago, so the outside handle hung from some hardware by a string and featured a flat piece of metal that needed to be inserted into the slot on the inside handle.
I was still laughing from my snowdrift adventure, so my first few tries were half-hearted. But then the wind started to blow harder, and I just wanted to get inside the building. After about 30 or 40 tries, I finally hit the jackpot and the door swung open. This activity would become the death of me. I had to go through the same procedure every time I tried to open the cabin door.
And all the snow that was crushed into my packs, coat, and pants, not to mention the clods on my boots, deposited itself on the floor of the cabin. Crap! (Actually, I said something else, but I want this column to be PG)
No Bigger Than My Office
As I looked around the cabin, I took in what would be my accommodation for the next 10 days. There was in front of me a desk with an oil lamp, a bunk bed, a nightstand with a candle, a dresser with another oil lamp, a lawn chair, the stove, a box of kindling, and another box about three-feet square holding about four logs of wood. All the windows were covered with cardboard. The cabin’s interior was smaller than my office back home. This was going to be cozy.
My first thought was, Where am I going to put my stuff? I looked at the bunk bed, realized Philip slept on the bottom, and had a new question to answer. I didn’t see a ladder anywhere. How am I going to get into the top bunk?
I decided to worry about that when I was ready to go to bed. I checked the stove and put another log on the fire. I knew one of the jobs this week would be to get more firewood. I did my part during the week collecting tubs full of firewood and dragging it to the cabin. That would have been another viral video. Thank goodness no one was around with a cellphone to record my antics.
That night, I breathed easy when Philip said he’d sleep on the top bunk. Watching him climb up the side of the bed made me realize I never would have made it. He stepped on the bottom bunk mattress and hopped up to pull himself up to the top bunk. I would have ended up in a heap on the floor.
What’s the Temperature?
Regulating the temperature in this little cabin was a nightmare. Some nights it was so hot we’d have to crack the door. Other nights, it was so cold I couldn’t find enough blankets. Even with the kennel’s token cat curled up beside me, I would wake up in the middle of the night and try to roll myself in any material I could find, including my dirty clothes.
Those cold nights were usually my fault. Philip was working hard getting ready for this group that was going to visit, so a few nights I went to sleep before he got back. Since fire tending isn’t a typical part of my bedtime routine, I’d fall asleep without a second thought about it. And I’d forget to tend to the fire.
So, once my son got back to the cabin at 1 or 2 in the morning, he’d have to restart the fire. Later during my stay, we realized the stove pipe was getting clogged. Philip had to climb onto the cabin’s roof and open the pipe up so the smoke could escape the building.
Staying Out of the Outhouse?
Originally, I decided I would hold any bathroom activities until we got to the main house every morning and not use the outhouse that was at the end of another narrow trail of packed snow about 10 yards away from the cabin’s front door. Think of a stereotypical outhouse–about the size of a phone booth, with a door that didn’t latch, toilet paper balanced on an interior 2×4 that made up the house’s frame, a toilet seat propped over a hole in a bench that straddled a pit.
Those mornings when I knew I wouldn’t make it to the main house in time, I had to do my tightrope, balancing act. And again, I slipped off the packed area and became mired in the loose snow. Typically, I’d start to laugh – again, and found myself trying to Kegel as I’d never Kegeled before. Thank goodness the frigid temperatures had a positive effect on my need to pee and I made it to the toilet seat in time.
Later, I found out the other guy who worked at the kennel with Philip had never used the outhouse. What a wimp. 🙂
Not In My Comfort Zone
My week-long adventure in Minnesota was a lesson in perseverance and positive mindset. I was happy to get home, but I missed the little cabin and its funky doorknob (which I mastered by the time I left). I missed the snow, and the views and Philip, of course.
I can’t remember another time when I had been so challenged, and still had a blast.
I’ve talked to Philip many times since I got home. He’s taken the cardboard off the windows and the packed snow paths are pretty much gone. He’s had some run-ins with wolves, but he’s getting ready for a spring and summer of fishing and camping trips for more tourists.
I am so proud of how Philip has embraced Minnesota, the dogs, and the role he has taken on as scheduler, cashier, and webmaster.
I find it amazing how a change in scenery and activity can have such a positive effect on someone … well, me. Maybe physically getting out of my comfort zone is the key to my happiness and satisfaction. Try it sometime.
Until next time,
Susie from Stix-N-Stonez
2 thoughts on “Experiencing the Cabin Near the Woods”
Hi Susie, Another great story!! Phil is a great person and a GOD send for the owner and my long time friend, Chuck! Not everyone can adapt and then have fun in northern Minnesota. I can see now where Philip gets his attitude and perseverance from! Thanks for helping them! 👏👏🙏🏻
I love it, Susie! You really had me picturing every single move with your descriptive details. The Kegels made me laugh out loud! Fantastic job! So glad you enjoyed it, but I don’t think I’ll be visiting any time soon, thanks. 😜🥶❄️⛄️
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