This afternoon, after picking Laura up from physical therapy where they manipulated her new titanium knee, I told her I wanted to go to the cabin. She has accepted the bond and attraction I have to the woods and encouraged me to go. For January in Ohio, 70 degrees is highly unusual and today's warm breeze as a cold front pushed through was calling me to the porch.
A trip to Kroger's and I replenished the cabin supplies of Merlot, crackers and cheese; all of which accompanied me. With winds gusting 40-50 mph, the bamboo wind chimes spun and clattered loudly but not enough to discourage visits by wild birds to the porch feeders. I took a short walk around the cabin as many branches had recently fallen due to the wind and a large tree had been uprooted just off to the north. I was surprised to find 2 new dandelion blooms erupting through the winter soil thinking Spring had arrived. Just another example of the bizarre winter weather we're now having.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Night Life at the Cabin
Late Saturday evening I made a trip to the farm to walk down trail cameras and change out the digital cards. It was very dark with heavy overcast and not a star or moon in the sky. Visibility was limited to just a few feet and you couldn't even see where stepping. Having grown up on and exploring the farm for over 45 years, I could easily navigate anywhere in the dark so the walk didn't bother me. However, as I made my way back into the woods, the sound of coyotes howling deep in the hollow stopped me in my tracks. I immediately thought, 'maybe I should wait until daylight to change the cards; after all, no sense in breaking up a party.' I turned around and went back to the car.
Tonight, I returned to a wet, foggy night in the forest. While driving en route to the farm, I had to slam on the brakes to allow a small herd of deer cross the township road. It was the perfect evening for deer to be mobile. The big difference was the temperature; it was in the high 30s this evening and the ground had thawed. With the wetness, my steps were muffled so walking up on an unexpected deer out and about was not unexpected. I saw many deer tonight, one of which was captured by my camera near the cabin. Afterwards, I sat on the porch with a small glass of wine and just appreciated the evening.
Tonight, I returned to a wet, foggy night in the forest. While driving en route to the farm, I had to slam on the brakes to allow a small herd of deer cross the township road. It was the perfect evening for deer to be mobile. The big difference was the temperature; it was in the high 30s this evening and the ground had thawed. With the wetness, my steps were muffled so walking up on an unexpected deer out and about was not unexpected. I saw many deer tonight, one of which was captured by my camera near the cabin. Afterwards, I sat on the porch with a small glass of wine and just appreciated the evening.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Ice Storm at ManCamp
In the winter of 1965, we had our first opportunity to sleep in the farm house at Fosson Family Trails. My bedroom was upstairs which was unheated. I can remember on some nights waking up and finding ice in my glass of water on the night stand beside the bed. Mom piled so many quilts and blankets on our beds that you either stayed warm or you suffocated under the load. It's life experiences like this that I attribute my love of the cold and why I enjoy mornings like this at the cabin. This morning, with camera in hand, I took pictures as I enjoyed the aftermath of a late night ice storm that came through.
The mini-project of installing a wall heater is now fully complete and it is working great. The cabin was 45 degrees this morning and did not get below 44 during the night; an excellent sleeping temperature.
The mini-project of installing a wall heater is now fully complete and it is working great. The cabin was 45 degrees this morning and did not get below 44 during the night; an excellent sleeping temperature.
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| The pines are weighted down |
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| The porch view is a sea of ice crystals |
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| Took this picture looking out the living room window |
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| This is the side yard as seen from the fireplace windows |
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| The small 20000 btu wall heater has an automatic blower and built in thermostat. Does a great job when the fireplace or Beulah are inactive. |
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| A 100 lb tank of LP installed behind the cabin |
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Flooded Hollow
Tuesday's heavy rain flooded the hollow and saturated all paths to the cabin to the point that only the 4WD tractor was up to making the trip back into the woods. A pair of knee high gumboots would be needed for the walk; something I didn't have readily available. It's amazing how much water comes off the watershed above the farm after such a rain event. The drive was enjoyable none the less as there was an invigorating Spring-like atmosphere; even though it is just mid-January. Once at the cabin, there was such a contrast in weather conditions as time progressed. What started as a very loud, hard rain on the metal roof, soon gave way to strong wind, clearing skies and almost 60 degree temperatures. The change was perfect for sitting on the porch with a glass of wine while listening to the overburdened creek rage below. It also brought a variety of wild birds out to feast on the re-filled feeders, to my enjoyment.
Having other obligations, my stay was short but I did have enough time to measure and hang the new wall heater in the main room. Hanging it was the goal since this was the most difficult part of this mini-project. Drilling through walls and running the gas line to the outside tank would be easy and wouldn't require much effort. With Ohio's winter weather and the short term forecast, its anybody's guess when this supplemental heat source will be needed to keep the cabin above freezing during times when Beulah is dormant.
Having other obligations, my stay was short but I did have enough time to measure and hang the new wall heater in the main room. Hanging it was the goal since this was the most difficult part of this mini-project. Drilling through walls and running the gas line to the outside tank would be easy and wouldn't require much effort. With Ohio's winter weather and the short term forecast, its anybody's guess when this supplemental heat source will be needed to keep the cabin above freezing during times when Beulah is dormant.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Cabin Windows
The ManCamp weather station said it got down to 11 degrees last night yet the portable LP heater set on low kept the cabin above 40. For me, this is a good temperature to work in; being one of those sweat hogs that breaks sweat even when its zero out. My friend and helper, Robbie, once asked me, "why are you sweating? we haven't done anything yet." My response was, "well, I'm breathing - that's something." At least when its 40, I only soak my shirt and not my pants, too. I love cold weather and really appreciate it when winter settles in since I run hot all the time. Never could figure if that was healthy or not or just genetics as I recall dad having the same issue; he lived to be 84.
Satisfaction from building a small cabin comes from knowing how each little incremental step can later be identified as progress toward completion. Today included some of those little steps that still made a difference. The cabin has changed from where it was yesterday and even I can say it was for the better. Once again the UPS truck stopped by the house yesterday and dropped off a cabin package. It wasn't very big but it contained an order placed on line about 4-5 days ago with Cabela's.
Its been over 6 months since Laura visit the cabin project. Her last visit was to help determine what colors to use for the wall in the main room, the kitchen wall above the breakfast bar and the bathroom walls that were not paneled. I remember her saying there was way too much brown and that the cabin needed color. It was hard for me to find fault with a brown cabin; after all, wood is brown and everything from the ceiling to the floor was wood. Since I'm color blind, her assistance in picking out the colors was a big help and one that others will appreciate more than me. On the other hand, I tried to consider her comment when placing the order for window valances with Cabela's. I was so anxious to open the box to proudly show her that some of us are trainable. I had picked out valances for the main room windows with confidence they were rust or red and would look good with the red wall painted with the color she'd selected. As the first set was pulled out of the box, she burst my bubble as she says - BROWN!! "You have way too much BROWN in your cabin, you need some COLOR!" Well, so much for a color blind Appalachian trying to pick out fabric on a computer. What I clearly thought was going to please her simply re-enforced her conviction that the cabin needs a color make over.
My plans of having a deep, brown or saddle leather sofa probably won't be received well either. Should better start looking for something aztec now since one more brown piece will be one too many; especially after installing the (brown) wood floor.
Other than needing ironed, I'm still pleased with the window valances. This is just one more check mark in the completed column for cabin progress.
Satisfaction from building a small cabin comes from knowing how each little incremental step can later be identified as progress toward completion. Today included some of those little steps that still made a difference. The cabin has changed from where it was yesterday and even I can say it was for the better. Once again the UPS truck stopped by the house yesterday and dropped off a cabin package. It wasn't very big but it contained an order placed on line about 4-5 days ago with Cabela's.
Its been over 6 months since Laura visit the cabin project. Her last visit was to help determine what colors to use for the wall in the main room, the kitchen wall above the breakfast bar and the bathroom walls that were not paneled. I remember her saying there was way too much brown and that the cabin needed color. It was hard for me to find fault with a brown cabin; after all, wood is brown and everything from the ceiling to the floor was wood. Since I'm color blind, her assistance in picking out the colors was a big help and one that others will appreciate more than me. On the other hand, I tried to consider her comment when placing the order for window valances with Cabela's. I was so anxious to open the box to proudly show her that some of us are trainable. I had picked out valances for the main room windows with confidence they were rust or red and would look good with the red wall painted with the color she'd selected. As the first set was pulled out of the box, she burst my bubble as she says - BROWN!! "You have way too much BROWN in your cabin, you need some COLOR!" Well, so much for a color blind Appalachian trying to pick out fabric on a computer. What I clearly thought was going to please her simply re-enforced her conviction that the cabin needs a color make over.
My plans of having a deep, brown or saddle leather sofa probably won't be received well either. Should better start looking for something aztec now since one more brown piece will be one too many; especially after installing the (brown) wood floor.
Other than needing ironed, I'm still pleased with the window valances. This is just one more check mark in the completed column for cabin progress.
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| Need a little ironing for those brown valances |
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| Relocated the oil lamp to avoid a fire |
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| The world always looks better through the cabin windows |
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| Corner windows on north east corner of cabin |
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| Whats not to like about brown curtains in a cabin? |
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| Much better picture of the kitchen valance |
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| window above kitchen sink |
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Winter morning
Walking to the cabin at sunrise this morning, my mind took me back to 1966 when my best friend Mark Bayes and I made that same trek back the hollow on a similar January morning with Daisy BB guns we had just received on Christmas. A couple of 10 year old boys going 'anything' hunting was pretty common yet uneventful but seems like only yesterday as I once again focused attention on that unchanged view of Scioto Trails ahead. The now frozen mud in the tractor's ruts crackled loudly with each step of the way after a bitterly cold night. Mark has since died and yet the memory and sound of his laughter on that cold morning years ago is just as clear now as it was then. In many ways, it was sad without him and his loyal friendship at my side yet I was comforted knowing he was still with me in spirit. Even then, we both recognized the shortness of life itself and how all that we enjoyed was a Blessing and could be gone in an instant.
New window dressing for the cabin has came in so this visit was to put new kitchen valances up. Some may question if the cabin is truly a 'man camp' with such cosmetic additions that serve little value other than to make the cabin more hospitable. Personally, I like them and since its my cabin, we make the rules. It won't be long before the living room window valances also arrive from Cabela's so I've got another walk to look forward to.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I realized what a great winter view was available when the blinds were raised. One of the rewards of planning ahead with the end in mind.
New window dressing for the cabin has came in so this visit was to put new kitchen valances up. Some may question if the cabin is truly a 'man camp' with such cosmetic additions that serve little value other than to make the cabin more hospitable. Personally, I like them and since its my cabin, we make the rules. It won't be long before the living room window valances also arrive from Cabela's so I've got another walk to look forward to.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I realized what a great winter view was available when the blinds were raised. One of the rewards of planning ahead with the end in mind.
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| A change of season and the cabin prepares for the cold of winter |
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| The road to the cabin with a dusting of snow |
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| New kitchen window valance installed |
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| The kitchen window looks like ice blocks with the snow on the ground behind the cabin |
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| Winter views are so very special in the morning |
Friday, January 13, 2012
A Blustery Cabin Day
Wind constantly whipping the porch chimes, 2 inches of snow in the woods, a bitter 18 degree temperature and snow squalls makes for a great cabin day. The wild birds, squirrels and hardiest of chipmunks are eager for handouts when winter arrives. With the ground finally frozen, there was no reason to leave Kuma d.o.g. behind on a trip to ManCamp. She has had a severe case of cabin fever the past 2 weeks; no pun intended. On a day like today, a middle aged Labrador is pretty happy zig zagging in the woods while bobbing her nose in the snow and leaves.
Before going, I made a trip to Tractor Supply and picked up supplies to install a 20,000 btu wall mounted vent-free furnace. Although the fireplace and Beulah do a wonderful job heating the cabin, there needs to be a heat source to keep the place above freezing when not there to constantly stoke the fires. A small wall mount furnace located in the lower left corner of the red wall will provide enough thermostatically controlled heat to keep the place from being so hard to warm up when it gets really cold out. It will also make those long winter naps more bearable when awakening after banked fires in Beulah and the fireplace have lost their battle to keep coals hot. It was 23 degrees inside when we arrived and when its that cold it takes too much effort to bring the cabin temperature up each visit. Besides, there is no reason to freeze the toilet and kitchen supplies. I will install at least 1 and possibly 2 100 lb tanks of LP behind the cabin to supply the heater. The LP is needed for the water heater anyway so it makes sense with it getting so cold out now. There is no way a vendor could drive a propane delivery truck to the cabin anyway so the 100 lb bottles are just the right size to haul to a filling station when empty. I'm sure someone will thank me someday for making this decision. Nobody likes to be cold and a cabin in the winter can try your patience when waiting on things to warm back up. Clearly, the wall furnace is not essential but a convenience that will be appreciated many times in days ahead. A small LP portable heater that I picked up from Lowe's was perfect during the early days of construction. It utilizes a 25 lb LP tank just like a gas grill and provides sufficient heat to warm the entire cabin. It is radiant heat though so unless you're right in front of it, you only feel warm when the overall room temperature rises.
Before going, I made a trip to Tractor Supply and picked up supplies to install a 20,000 btu wall mounted vent-free furnace. Although the fireplace and Beulah do a wonderful job heating the cabin, there needs to be a heat source to keep the place above freezing when not there to constantly stoke the fires. A small wall mount furnace located in the lower left corner of the red wall will provide enough thermostatically controlled heat to keep the place from being so hard to warm up when it gets really cold out. It will also make those long winter naps more bearable when awakening after banked fires in Beulah and the fireplace have lost their battle to keep coals hot. It was 23 degrees inside when we arrived and when its that cold it takes too much effort to bring the cabin temperature up each visit. Besides, there is no reason to freeze the toilet and kitchen supplies. I will install at least 1 and possibly 2 100 lb tanks of LP behind the cabin to supply the heater. The LP is needed for the water heater anyway so it makes sense with it getting so cold out now. There is no way a vendor could drive a propane delivery truck to the cabin anyway so the 100 lb bottles are just the right size to haul to a filling station when empty. I'm sure someone will thank me someday for making this decision. Nobody likes to be cold and a cabin in the winter can try your patience when waiting on things to warm back up. Clearly, the wall furnace is not essential but a convenience that will be appreciated many times in days ahead. A small LP portable heater that I picked up from Lowe's was perfect during the early days of construction. It utilizes a 25 lb LP tank just like a gas grill and provides sufficient heat to warm the entire cabin. It is radiant heat though so unless you're right in front of it, you only feel warm when the overall room temperature rises.
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| Just unpacked it. Wall mount blue flame vent-free heater. |
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| For $99 at Lowe's, you can't beat the portable LP heater. Rated at 18,000 BTU, great for temporary heat. Uses a standard gas grill tank which is self contained in unit. |
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Sleeping Loft Update
Before sunrise Saturday while my bride was in New Albany getting a new knee, I went and grabbed Robbie to help me get the 120+ lb cast iron art work up on the loft and in position. For a couple of over weight fat guys, it was just about all we could handle and were lucky we didn't drop it through the frame on the floor. Almost done with this part of the project. Just need to polyseal the wood work.
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| View from living room area |
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| The cast iron artwork is 29"x68" and weighs 121lb |
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| Sleeping loft view from access ladder. Ready for a bed. |
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| View from kitchen table. Almost ready for tongue and groove flooring. |
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| View from entry door. |
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Bear Metal Art moved to cabin
Today I loaded the black bear metal art on the tractor front end loader and took it to the cabin. I thought it was wrought iron but was wrong; it's cast iron. I was able to get it inside but I just didn't feel comfortable trying to get it up the ladder and onto the loft since it weighs 121 lbs. It will sit at the base of the ladder until reenforcements are summoned.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Winter has arrived at the cabin
With about an inch of snow on the ground, a moon lit night and a 16 degree temperature, its clear that winter has finally arrived at ManCamp. A large fire in the fireplace and Beulah working overtime had the cabin a comfortable 70 degrees at the ground level and much warmer up on the loft. Work details continue to take priority over relaxing and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the forest. With the metal art on order to install inside the deck railing, finishing the staining and sealing is important now and this is my focus area. This evening the 3rd and final coat of stain was applied to the loft railing. Once it drys, a couple of coats of semi-gloss sealant should have everything ready once the artwork arrives.
It is a very clear night sky so the stars are very bright. Southern Ohio provides an opportunity to enjoy all 4 seasons. Looking forward to what winter has to offer. I filled the squirrel and bird feeders to keep my little friends fed during this cold snap.
It is a very clear night sky so the stars are very bright. Southern Ohio provides an opportunity to enjoy all 4 seasons. Looking forward to what winter has to offer. I filled the squirrel and bird feeders to keep my little friends fed during this cold snap.
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