Part Two~Cabin Fever!

I know that when Hubby told me about the cabin he mentioned "rustic", and I am certain that I remember hearing the words "no running water" and "dusty" and "outhouse", but for some reason I just wasn't prepared for what all that meant. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT a girly girl. I am NOT a frilly person. I grew up on a farm, and I have been tent camping many, many times in my life, but this was different. I suppose all my experience never took place in the driest, dustiest place on earth. Nor was it 30 degrees in the morning. NOR did I have a 2.5 year old when I did it. COLD, DIRTY, and ADVENTUROUS TODDLER added to NO RUNNING WATER....for some reason just doesn't appeal to me. Call me Crazy!

"Hello Crazy Lady!" See it isn't that hard.

Now I'm not saying we didn't have fun. We certainly did, but I am also not saying that I'll be going back any time soon! I would consider it...if I left the toddler and the sinus infection at home. Yeah....maybe that would make it better. It was beautiful though. That is for certain. I feel really blessed to have experienced it.

Before we arrived at the cabin, we made a stop off at the "Water Hole", and filled a few containers with water. I take it a water hole is, by definition, the largest tire one has ever seen filled with rain water, and ummm who knows what. WE hardly had to scare the cows away from their precious watering hole at all...they seemed so willing to share. Hubby assured me that we would need this water for washing hands, and the pots and pans we use to cook our hot dogs. Yes...it was only the best for us. Soon, I was less worried about what was IN the hot dogs and more about what was ON the Hot Dogs...and umm...our hands. It made me incredibly relieved I remembered to pack several bottles of drinking water. NO amount of boiling would have made me eager to drink this stuff.

"Can I go swimming mom?"

The dog almost jumped in.


With our water loaded up, we headed toward the cabin. One of the first things I noticed was the outhouse.....ummm yeah...what a disappointment. I mean, no crescent mooned door or anything...sigh...looks like a shed, but believe me....it smells like an outhouse. Sugar Bear was fascinated by the outhouse, and it was a full time job making sure she did NOT enter this three seater. It was straight out of "The Three Bears." It had a special hole for the baby bear, the mama bear and the papa bear. I was a little afraid she might fall into the papa bear hole...and seriously people that is a nightmarish thought. I was never so thankful that she is still in diapers, and that mama isn't a night time pee-er. whew....


Next, hubby let us into the cabin. Ummmm you can hardly tell he is the rustic, hunter type, can you? He hides it well.


It really wasn't so bad. It had glass in the windows, a door, and an ancient wood stove. There were four "beds" arranged around the one room. Sugar and I chose the one closest to the door in case of some sort of emergency. Don't ask me what kind, but I certainly felt the need to sleep with my baby right there with me by the door. Hubby chose one in the far corner. The dog was less than pleased to simply have to sleep on the hard wooden floor.


I spent quite a bit of time reading all the fabulous things previous dwellers had written on the walls. There was many accounts of special hunts and their kills. Thrilling, I tell you....THRILLING. I did add a special little mark that indicated Sugar Bear's height at the time of our visit. I am a sentimental mama like that. Oh...and she may not be back there until she is 15, so seeing her growth will be amazing. Somehow I failed to photograph the moment. sigh....


After getting acquainted with the inside of the cabin, we went out exploring. I saw so much beauty. While Sugar amused herself learning to drive her jeep (stay tuned for part THREE), I wandered around and took photos.




It amazed me that the ground consisted of about 2 inches of the finest, dusty silt I have ever seen. It managed to work it's way into everything. What a mess. Sugar ran around tripping on things, doing face plants, and having the time of her life. Runny nose, sticky hands and inches of dusty dirt resulted in one seriously filthy little honey by dark. In this picture I had given her the best dust off and spit shine I could manage.


As the day ended, and the sun started to set, I sat back and relished in sharing the sheer beauty with my family. I hope I was able to capture at least a slice of this with my photos.





Stay tuned for part three, Sugar Bear Drives Everywhere!