Gassing Up

Kuma d.o.g. was so disappointed as I turned my back on her and headed out the door to get in the truck to head for the cabin. Although there is still plenty of snow cover on the ground, my mission was to go to the barn yard and obtain another 100 lb LP cylinder to haul to the cabin before the feeding cylinder goes empty. Under the snow, layers of mud exists and I couldn't chance letting a fat Labrador run free in such muck; especially since I was driving Maximus, Nic's truck. I've done this once and the lesson I learned is still very vivid in my mind. Cleaning out the cab of the truck is not only time consuming, its just a nasty job after a wet, muddy dog has been playing in the creek and mud.

The trail to the cabin is still heavily snow covered so a truck bed full of cut firewood was needed to gain traction even with good tires and 4-wheel drive ascending the hills. Adding a full 100 lb cylinder of cabin fuel would only help the cause.

After spinning and sliding, the trip was a success. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get as close as needed so the last few yards involved carrying and then dragging the cylinder to the manifold. There was a time pride would drive me to carry the load but as we age, we become more innovative and prefer easier solutions. Today, I found dragging the cylinder was the answer for avoiding back strain or a hernia.

As LP feeds, the level is obvious even in winter as the cylinder will ice over below the liquid level. It was clear delivery was none too soon, especially since temperatures were to drop lower into the teens. The hooked up tank had less than 4" remaining, perhaps enough for a couple of days.

With a back up cylinder ready and waiting, the cabin is now ready for whatever mother nature chooses to unleash, at least for a few weeks.

First Snow of Winter

Planning for a weekend cabin retreat began Friday morning while listening to the weather forecast on the radio. Ohio weather is so unpredictable and few urban areas can predict what will happen in southern Ohio when they forecast weather events. However, Cincinnati meterologist do the best job of predicting what may effect our area so when I heard a prediction of 4-6" of snow east of Cincinnati with a high probability it would hit after dark and last through Saturday mid-day, the level of confidence was high we would get our first significant snow fall of the season.

Immediately after work I took a chainsaw and dropped 3 large locust trees to cut into firewood. Green locust burns slow and hot and it splits easily with a maul. After filling the pickup and delivering it to the cabin, I was able to split enough to fill the porch before dark in preparation of what might arrive.

A trip to the store for bird seed, squirrel food and a stop by the house to pick up Kuma d.o.g. and we were both ready for whatever mother nature could offer. Arriving at the cabin, we found the LP heater had the inside a comfortable 55 degrees even as the night air was heavy with cold moisture as it prepared to release a winter covering. As I filled the feeders, a full moon breaking through cloud cover provided the light for easily navigating between trees and feeders. Our little fur covered friends would appreciate the treat should the snow arrive.

Once a hot fire was built, Kuma settled on a couch cushion with one of her Christmas presents; a rawhide chew bone while I relaxed in the recliner with the remotes and glass of wine. With a library of movies, I chose an old holiday favorite, Gremlins, to watch before bedtime.

Awaking before sunrise and peering outside provided a glimpse of what I've anxiously awaited for months. A heavy wet snow had arrived in the middle of the night and blanketed the forest creating a beautiful winter wonderland. Although the opportunity to sleep in was available, I simply couldn't pass up watching winter's beauty from the cabin windows. After stoking the fires, putting on a pot of coffee and preparing breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, both my big brown dog and I relaxed to enjoy our day stranded and snowed in.

A cast iron kettle of  soup beans seasoned with jowl and homemade corn bread provided a late lunch shared with my companion. Most of the day was wasted napping in the recliner as Sixth Sense and Home Alone failed to hold my attention with such a warm fire at my side.

The morning view provides a first glimpse of winter's arrival.

Front window provides a clear view of the deer lick below
the cabin.

Christmas' tree framed by windows
and a forest covered in snow

Thankful I worked through the pain of age to cut, split and stack firewood
the evening before.

Winter's cabin

Fat and happy Kuma d.o.g.

Road to ManCamp a bit treacherous

The warmth inside awaits

Window view of winter's arrival

Merrry Christmas

Sharing the cabin with the big elf

This time of year I find myself so busy, both with work and personal life, that opportunities to spend time at the cabin are infrequent. Kuma d.o.g. has cabin fever and wants (demands) attention and time in the woods. Fortunately, my sons are both interested in spending time there and have taken advantage of my absence.

With Christmas just 5 days away, I feel privileged that Santa has stopped in for a rest at the cabin while out and about visiting children in southern Ohio. On one evening this week, while resting his bones in front of the fire, a group of very young children with their adult supervision went on a Santa Hunt to see if he was in the woods. To their amazement, they found Santa at my cabin where they shared their wish list and discussed their year in review.

A young 3 year old sits with Santa discussing her Christmas wish list and life experiences.

Soggy Weekend in the Woods

There is nothing pleasant about a cold rain that lasts for an entire weekend except when listening to it on a cabin roof. With temperatures in the 50s during the day and 40s during the night there was little need for a stoked fire to keep the place warm. In order to keep coals hot, I continuously kept a small log in the hearth which was more than enough to keep things comfortable; at least for a cabin. The smell of cherry wood burning is quite pleasant to the senses.

Kuma d.o.g. stayed close as much as she could throughout our visit. I don't really appreciate it when she goes out on a walk-about only to return with mud on her pads that she quickly tracks across the floor. A beautiful wood floor isn't so nice once a big Labrador walks all around with wet paws.

The trail was so wet and muddy from all the rain that an alternate route had to be cut to avoid the slop in the deep ruts from earlier visits. If this rain pattern continues, larger tires will be needed if I expect to continue making the trip in the Liberty.

With Kuma holding down one end of the sofa as she desperately worked on a rawhide bone, I stretched out on the other while watching an old movie, True Lies, in the light of candles and Christmas lights. Of course, I never finished the movie as the sound of the rain was so hypnotic that I fell asleep before it was half over.

As in years past, I hope for a winter with blankets of deep snow. Hopefully, sometime soon, perhaps before Christmas one will arrive. Until then, we will just continue holding out and listening to the rain.

Dark, Wet, December Hike

Just after 6 this evening, with Kuma d.o.g. at my side, I drove to the forest near ManCamp and parked the Jeep a distance from the cabin; just under a half mile.

Under a heavy overcast sky with thick fog all around, darkness had already arrived on this 2^nd day of December. A light rain greeted us as we exited the comfort of our ride and began a hike in a northern direction absent a light of any kind.

At the tree line of a pasture, sounds of bloated rain drops falling freely off wet branches above made unquestionable splats on the bed of saturated leaves covering the ground below.

As we proceeded deeper into the black of the woods, a peaceful feeling enveloped me. With nobody around and nothing to fear, the forest harbors no evil but man himself. Even at risk of encountering a pack of coyotes, a random bobcat or a rare black bear wandering inside, it fails to raise the slightest concern. Truly at peace in nature’s surroundings, I could easily find comfort stretched out on the wet forest floor if it wasn’t for a better choice awaiting us.

We arrived at the cabin in total darkness just as the black clouds released a volley of showers that roared on the metal roof above.

As I lay horizontal in the fully extended recliner under the warmth of a throw, Kuma took advantage of the vacant couch where she drifted off into an evening nap.

Once again, a week ends on a peaceful, positive note where no negativity is allowed and cabin time begins.

Night visitors

The call came in just before 9 pm. Two Jims, Jim Sevens and Jim Snodgrass had their wives, Kathy and Wendy, en route to ManCamp. Under the cover of darkness, they would drive the back roads to confuse and disorient them to protect and preserve the privacy of the cabin's location. Arriving within walking distance, with flashlights in hand they began the trek on the trail into the woods before the moon ascended and illuminated its surroundings.

Opening the door, I met the four of them climbing the porch steps with gifts in hand; fuel for the generator and a bottle of wine for the house.

Inside, we visited and talked about Santa's recent visit and the beauty of the cabin surroundings. After a short photo session in front of the fire, they departed into the night.

They are now each better off having enjoyed a few minutes of their lives on cabin time.

Jim and Kathy Snodgrass

Jim and Wendy Sevens

Kathy and Wendy with me.