Free range horses

Sunday, my sister Sandy claimed she passed horse manure on our farm pasture while hiking to the cabin for a visit. This would be an unlikely event as we haven't had horses on the farm in more than a decade. I accused her of not knowing the difference between deer and horse droppings; a remark she failed to appreciate.

Over the months I've worked on the cabin I've had many encounters with wildlife and animals that just seem to wander onto the farm from the surrounding forest. A flock of turkeys, a pack of coyotes, a herd of deer, even a dozen goats have come face to face with me; always when I'm without a camera. I never considered her observation as evidence of yet another unannounced visit. So today, it should not come as a surprise to walk up on 2 horses happily grazing on the pasture as I proceeded to the cabin. I have no idea where they came from or who owns them. They disappeared back into the forest a short time later.

Today I continue installing the wood flooring and have completed about a fourth so far. Without the aid of a nail driver, a specialty tool for installing wood flooring, each board must be pre-drilled and nailed down using a hammer and nail set punch. Have completed the flooring under the front windows and am now installing in front of the fireplace.

"free range" horses show up on the farm

Welcome to April

What a beautiful Spring day it was today; April has arrived and life is springing up all around the cabin.

This morning, my Aunt Helen and Uncle Earl visited from Carter County, Ky. My cousin, Marsha McDowell from Ashland, Ky came with them, too. Also my sister Sandy, her husband Mike and friend Bill Johnson came up to the cabin to check on construction progress. They got to see the flooring as it was being installed.

Working on opening a vista view of the meadow below the cabin to watch deer

The bathroom door is now finished. A tribute tapestry to the 'gangsta' raccoons
that hang out around the cabin

Another Spring view of the cabin

Flooring now being installed.

Love hickory's variety and appearance

Hickory Flooring

After a trip to Kroger's Friday night for some essentials, I failed to beat the rain but I did get to the cabin before a storm arrived. Getting back to ManCamp during a down pour is an adventure even with 4 wheel drive; not uncommon sliding sideways due to the saturated ground. Arrived on the porch just in time to watch a spectacular lightning show above the western hills. Fortunately, most of it was going horizontal and not striking the ground. After the wind subsided and the heavy rain gave way to a steady shower, it evolved into a sleepy, rainy night on the porch under the solar lanterns while listening to classic blues on NPR's 'World Cafe' radio broadcast on 104.1.

Having learned from the last cold night, a warm comforter was now on the loft bed which made turning in for the night very relaxing. The rain on the roof brought sleep quickly and apparently kept the nocturnal critters away as I slept straight through until 6 am.

A fire in Beulah in the early morning with a pot of coffee percolating is so fitting for the cabin environment. Lighting was provided by the kerosene lamps as it was too peaceful to start the generator. I had brought juice, egg beaters and diced ham so a hot breakfast of scrambled eggs with ham was a perfect fit for the morning. Sitting on the porch, a cup of hot coffee warming my hands, the start of a new day was filled with a new wildlife encounter. A flock of wild turkeys came right up to the porch posts just below where I was sitting to gather corn and seeds scattered by the squirrels and birds; they had no idea I was even there just 8 feet away. One was so large, I could just imagine it on a banquet platter for a Sunday dinner.

After breakfast I drove to Waverly and picked up Robbie to help with today's activities. While I installed the new flooring, Robbie completed multiple tasks that I had been putting off. He installed the last handle on a kitchen cabinet, the bi-fold doors in the bathroom, re-located the carbon monoxide detector, replaced brass hinges with black hinges on the bathroom door, cut baseboard trim, and trimmed the bathroom ceiling. The flooring is going down slow as I have not been able to rent a nailer yet. Each board has to be pre-drilled and nailed down while setting each nail by hand. About 7 courses completed and 1 of 8 boxes emptied. This project is much more fun than the ceiling and easier to complete though. The floor should be completed within a couple of weeks working part time on it.

Flooring has arrived!

After a not so pleasant time at work, the week ended on a high note as Menard's notified me that the flooring for the cabin came in. In haste to pick it up, I drove the Liberty without considering how long the boxes would be. Who would have thought they would package the flooring in boxes 7 feet long? A trip back to Waverly for Dudley (the old Ranger PU), I returned to "Door 9" for my special order. By the time I arrived at the farm it was dark but this didn't stop me from grabbing the tractor and making a couple of trips back the hollow and up into the woods to off load it in the kitchen.

After finishing the dry wall in the bathroom and putting a primer coat of paint on, its ready to paint, too. Looks like there is plenty to work on this weekend.

UPS has been making frequent stops so new items have arrived that I'm anxious to install in the cabin also.

Returned to the 'city house' to say howdy to Laura and the dogs. Looks like a storm moving in tonight which is perfect loft sleeping weather under the sky light so I'll be heading back out to the cabin. Might have to stop by Kroger's on the way first to stock up on essential provisions for a late evening in the woods.

Sundays are for God, family, and a cabin in the woods Part II

Recently on a warm Sunday afternoon, my wife and daughter visited the cabin to assess progress. Before long, my sister Sandy, her husband Mike, son Nathan and grandchildren Saydi and Nolan came out, too. Sundays are good for relaxing with family. They all seemed to enjoy their cabin visit.

Mike taking his grandson Nolan for a walk around the cabin.

My nephew Nathan inspecting the kitchen

Natalie checking out the 'potty'.

Natalie admiring the living room view.

Nathan and Nolan enjoying the wind chimes

A young man and his son

The chipmunks entertain porch spectators.

The Childers preparing to head back off the hill.

Saying goodbyes before the long walk back down the trail.

My daughter Natalie, sister Sandy and wife Laura
enjoying the porch.

Mike with his granddaughter Saydi

Nathan checking out the view from the loft bed

Nathan stoking the fire in Beulah.

Ninja Squirrel returns for another season at the cabin

My first and only face to face encounter with the infamous Ninja Squirrel at ManCamp was on August 30, 2011, (refer to the post for details). After multiple attempts to catch a glimpse of him always ending in failure, he was caught in the act of raiding the porch feeders that hot summer evening. Since that chance meeting, I could only speculate that he was still around as there had been no more sightings. There was circumstantial evidence always present where something was consuming or hording 25# of bird seed and 25# of critter food each week. Blame was being cast on the little chipmunks, the flocks of wild birds and even a morbidly obese raccoon that loves to tear down the suet feeders and waddle off with them into the forest. Yet, deep down there was the knowledge that Ninja was still around. So Saturday afternoon, shock and surprise were the results of meeting him once again.

After spending the morning working on a few little cabin projects, I took my friend Robbie back home before returning alone. With the farm lanes still deep in mud, I chose to walk back to the site. Approaching the cabin while still 30-40 yards from the porch, 2 gray squirrels robbing porch feeders spotted me and scampered off into the woods. I never dreamed they had been in the company of the king of squirrels: Ninja. As I walked up onto the porch, less than 16 feet away and wrapped completely around a feeder was the greatest of flying rodents. His thick, full coat was as red as a fox and when he made eye contact with me he froze as if trying to decide to run or attack. I too froze in my steps, wondering what I'd do if attacked by the grandest of squirrels and wishing I had brought a camera. Thankfully, after deciding to do battle another day, Ninja jumped onto the porch and made a quick get away off the north end. I was once again amazed at the size of this freak of nature. He is truly bigger than most cats and could do harm to Kuma d.o.g. if cornered. Just knowing he lives and remains a ManCamp resident makes looking forward to Spring and Summer again that much more enjoyable.

Much later, I spent Saturday night trying to sleep in the cabin loft. The bed was very comfortable and the cabin was extremely quiet with the windows and doors all closed. The sound of the school house clock on the wall was the only thing that broke the silence while drifting off to sleep. With only sheets available, I was trying to conserve the heat as the night's temperature was to fall into the fifties. I slept very well for about 3 hours but then all of the nocturnal critters began roaming around outside the cabin. Jumping on the porch from the feeders, climbing the porch posts, even getting on the roof. There were squirrels, possums, and raccoons and by all indications, a skunk. One thing for sure, its hard to sleep when there's a Saturday night party going on right outside. Awake, I enjoyed the night sky and all the stars that were shining bright through the skylight above my head.

One of Robbie's jobs was to mount this directional arrow for those seeking the
Outhouse. We don't have an outhouse but they don't know that...

Robbie does a good job hanging things on walls.
This welcome sign looks right at home beside the front
door.

With a level in hand, Robbie was on a roll. He mounted this coat rack too.

I'm already upgrading some cabin stuff. I liked this
outside light much better than the original stained glass
lantern.

The first lamp for the living room once the flooring is down
and furniture is installed.

As much as I like the cedar bird feeders, they don't hold up
to the raccoons very well. Hopefully this metal one will last.

Robbie's final project Saturday morning was assembling the fixtures for the bathroom
sink and vanity. The wall paint came in so that will be the focus this week to finish
the bathroom before the wood flooring comes in next week.

Unexpected visit

Hiking to the cabin around the pond I came across a very large snapping turtle. His head was as big as my fist and I knew if he could get a hold of a finger or hand, he could do serious damage. I left him alone as he continued moving toward the pond. Once at the cabin, I settled into the porch chair and just absorbed the sounds and visuals of nature on this unseasonably warm 1st day of Spring. The thermometer said it was 88 degrees but then, the afternoon sun was beating down on the porch as it faces west.

I finally got motivated and opened a fresh can of wood stain to apply a final coat on the bathroom wood paneling, door and trim. While staining and listening to NPR radio 104.1, my youngest son Nic showed up. He had brought a machete and had been clearing brush on the pond levee prior to hiking back to the cabin. Before I knew it, Nic had climbed up on the loft and curled up on the bed to try out the new sheets and pillows. After the sun had gone down and the solar lights had came on, Nic finally woke up from his nap. He complimented the accommodations and really enjoyed the peaceful rest he was able to get.

Tomorrow I will begin sealing the bathroom wood paneling and doors.

Porch ready for Spring

After stacking fire wood on the porch that was never needed, this evening's chore was to split and restack Beulah stove wood for cooking and split and move fireplace wood under the porch. Once completed, I swept and mopped the porch and moved the charwood cooler outside to be closer to the action.

The closet door has been stained and sealed and ready to hang. Plan to put 1 more coat of stain on the bathroom paneling and door frames before sealing. Still need to sand the 2 drywalled walls and paint. A trip to Menard's is coming up to get the bathroom vanity.

I have Ninja Squirrel's cousin living above the porch ceiling. How convenient for him to drop down on a bird feeder and rob the seeds.

I stayed well past dark just so I could see all the solar lights kick on. So very peaceful.

Weekend dedicated to the cabin

The cabin weekend started early Friday in Kroger's where a number of items were carted out to the Jeep for the trek back to the woods. Adult beverages, ice, snacks and food for the cabinets and pantry made the trip. A trip to Walmart and another load consisting of pillows, sheets, bird feed, squirrel food, bird feeders, and solar spot lights made the trip, too.

Saturday, after measuring the living room area it was time to commit and order the finished flooring. Both Lowe's and Menard's had finished hickory flooring which is the final choice. Finally settled with Menard's and placed an order. This was a big commitment that will last a lifetime. With a 50 year warranty (whatever that means since Menard's won't be around in 50 years), the 3" wide, random length finished hickory will certainly give the cabin character and warmth. Should be in by April 1st and then the fun begins. While there, a couple of solar lanterns for the porch made it to the cart. After Menard's, stopped in Water beds and Stuff and picked up a new lamp. It is a fake sycamore tree with a couple of black bears climbing its branches. It caught my eye a year ago and their price of $75 was half what it was selling for on the Internet. Also picked up a free standing cup rack that is deer antlers. After Menard's a stop in Hobby Lobby where a cast iron key rack made its way to the Jeep and is now mounted beside the door. A trip to Lowe's and 60 solar lanterns to hang from the porch made the trip south.

Sunday started with a trip to the Southbound Flea Market. Lots of new vendors and mostly junk. Did come away with some items for the kitchen. Once at the cabin I refilled the feeders as not only is Ninja Squirrel back but all the chipmunks are out of hibernation and hungry. The wild birds are also going crazy at each of the feeders, too. I sharpened the chain saw and cut some Beulah fuel as work on the vista continues for a porch view to the meadow below is opened. Before leaving, solar lights were installed on the porch and in the woods to illuminate the pines after dark.

The porch after sun down. Off the grid but fully illuminated by solar lights.

Nic home for Spring break enjoying the cabin lighting.

60 solar LED lights and a few solar lanterns.

Solar spot lights illuminate the forest pines.

The pines set the mood in the darkness.

Back to Staining

Such a beautiful day in the woods! After realizing the cabin wasn't going to finish itself, I got up and went to Menard's to be the first in the door this morning. I picked up a set of 24" bifold doors for the utility room inside the bathroom. Although I had purchased and painted solid doors already, they just didn't seem right painted instead of stained. After applying 2 coats of stain, the cabin has reinspired me with Spring and Summer activities knocking on the door. We really had no winter so its time to get it ready for some cabin time, warm mornings and evenings. With warm weather comes the feathered friends showing up on the porch.

Relocating Pines

After a 'super cell' brought tornadoes, high wind, hail and rain yesterday evening to southern Ohio and specifically Pike County, I was anxious to get to the cabin to see how it weathered the storm. As expected, not a bird feeder was out of place. You wouldn't know any violent weather had came through if you weren't told. The cabin is protected by the surrounding hills and is pretty safe from violent storms.
Once inspections were complete, I began looking for something to get into. With Spring just a couple of weeks away, the trees are already budding and things are starting to get green. After noticing all the little pines trying to grow in the winter's clearings, I realized many were taking root at the base of large white oaks. Clearly, they have no chance of long term survival so close to the base of a healthy hardwood. I decided to dig them up and transplant each one into the open areas around the cabin. Some day, the cabin will be surrounded by majestic pines.

Bucket List

If you haven't had an opportunity to relax in a cabin as a steady rain pelts down on a metal roof, you just might want to put this on your 'bucket list'. Such a peaceful sound. If this doesn't relax you, you're too tight.

Wind, snow, blues and fire

Kuma d.o.g. and I hiked to the cabin in the dark through wind and snow. It was rewarding to get behind the door and into the peace and silence of its walls. After lighting some oil lamps, and a fire in the fire place, I wound up the radio and tuned in some blues. Sitting by the fire, a glass of merlot in my hand and my dog at my side made for a relaxing evening. If it gets better than this, I haven't experienced it.

Blues, merlot and a fire.

Loving snow - any snow

My favorite weather event is a snow storm. Riding one out is also my favorite time at the cabin. Unfortunately, southern Ohio doesn't get much snow, let alone an actual snow storm. This winter, we've been lucky to have any days below freezing which means little to no snow. So today I was pleased to awaken and find at least a little snow at the cabin. A toasty fire, a pot of coffee on Beulah and trips out in the cold to fill the feeders makes for a good morning. I know it won't last and most likely will be gone within 48 hours but the little bit we received last night still made me happy. Hopefully before Spring, we will get at least one heavy snow of a foot or more.

Opening the morning blinds revealed the night's deposit.

Cabin friends love when the feeders are refilled. They are getting fat.

Why can't southern Ohio get a real snow event now and then? The winter
of 2012 has been entirely too warm.

Random Thoughts

After dark, Kuma d.o.g. and I walked to ManCamp to fill feeders, check cameras and chill a little on the porch. Returning home, my tongue tried to jump out of my throat. Whatever wild animal left their dung for her to roll in could not be indigenous to southern Ohio! What a nasty surprise. We both had to deal with a cold breeze riding home with the Jeep windows down. 

On a brighter note, the ventless LP heater is still going strong keeping the cabin around 50 when away. Day 20 on the first tank of gas in the 100 pound tank.

log entry

ManCamp log
3-February, 2012 1800 hours
As winter’s sun fades behind western pines, so goes the passing of a difficult week.
Sitting on the porch, a glass of merlot clutched in one hand and Kuma d.o.g. at my side, a flock of geese pass in flight. Drifting to sleep, peace envelops, restoring faith that life is good.

Original cabin sketches

Who would have thought it could be 65 degrees in Ohio on February 1?

I remember -22 degrees on this date once while cold, windy, snowy weather is expected for February in Ohio. I'm sure we'll pay dearly for this weird winter weather pattern with violent Spring storms but we'll take it for now. It certainly made for good porch sitting although an unpleasant noise was interrupting the peace of the woods just above the cabin. In the state forest, heavy timber cutting equipment was select cutting large white oaks on the side of Mt. Pisgah. I guess they no longer use chain saws. It sounded like a dozer with some type of hydraulic device that was simply cutting them off at the ground as a large white oak would fall about every 20-30 minutes.

While going through some files, I found the original sketches from the day we first decided to build a cabin. Sitting with Nic, I took graph paper and sketched the outside views of the cabin. It seems like yesterday that I was asking Nic what he thought and if he concurred with the conceptual design. Once we both agreed, construction began. Now, after completing the build, it was rewarding to find the original sketches to compare to the final product. I've always said its good when a plan comes together. More importantly, having dreams come true is what we all hope to achieve.

Unusual January Weather

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.

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.