4/21/11
Sunny, but chilly, today as we get ready to open the cabin. Waukenabo here we come
The ice is going out. 46 degrees, south wind, the pump works. Hello spring we're opening.
4/22/11
It has been a long, cold winter and may be too early to open the cabin but we are heading off on an RV trip and decided to get the cabin open before we leave. Much of Mille Lacs lake was still covered in ice as was Waukenabo. Lots of ducks swimming in the open water near shore, though.
It is amazing to me that it takes so little effort these days to get the cabin functioning after a long winter. I started a fire in the wood stove to get the chill off and Rick got the water running. I loaded food into my really clean fridge and cupboards. In half an hour we were walking around admiring the lake. Both the phone and Internet are working this year. Unfortunately I forgot the Roku box at home so we will be limited to DVDs on the TV.
The weather was sort of overcast but a south wind was blowing out of the woods. The ice pack was about 10 yards off shore. We relaxed in the cabin and started to work on getting the heater going. It is a long run from the tank behind Mark's cabin and always is a long chore. Rick tried off and on for a couple hours before he decided he needs to call the gas company for repairs.
The lake is very high and there is a fair amount of water behind the road. Lots of coots and wood ducks swimming in the open water. The loon is nearby as well making lots of mating calls. It is very quiet up here. It looks like Lisa has not been here all winter. Very strange not to be greeted by Mike and Gabby. I keep waiting for them to appear on the deck.
As usual the peace and quiet of the cabin have relaxed me. It will be a nice break before a busy week with Carter and Bennett and then a busy time on the road in our RV.
the cabin.
The ice is out completely on Lake Waukenabo. Lots of beautiful wood ducks and coots swimming in the really high water. Cool outside this morning but warm and cozy in the cabin with our wood stove keeping us toasty. Spring at the cabin. I am in heaven.
4/23/11
Got the dock in today - first one on the lake. Wonderful campfire and sunset tonight. Beautiful.
4/24/11
Happy Easter from lake Waukenabo. The sun is bright, the loons are calling and the coffee is on. Have a joyous day, everyone.
5/29/11
Peaceful, soul renewing Sunday morning at Waukenabo. I have been coming to this place for 63 years - parents and grandparents are gone, but their spirits are with me here.
5/30/11
This is a day to remember our loved ones who have left us. The cabin always holds memories of my Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. These are such good memories. I hope that I will leave my footprints here too. The spirits of many of cabin friends are with us too - I think so much of Sandy's folks - the Collin's. Her dad died the same week that Max did and we both ended up at the cabin shortly afterward to give ourselves time to reflect.
We are just back from a 3 week RV trip. During that time Rick's cousin Carolyn died in her nursing home. Two days after our return Jenn's father, Bob died. It is good to savor the time that we have together and enjoy our time at the cabin.
Lisa Sweeter is back working on her cabin with some old friends. I still think that I will see her husband Mike throwing the ball for Gabby. Barb and Chris, Sally and Steve, Sandy and Kevin and Renee and Richie are all here this weekend. It is almost like 4th of July. RIchie is weaker than ever, but still with us. Each time we see him is a blessing.
We have been working on many small projects to be ready for summer. Fixing the screening on the deck gates, firing up the Mosquito Magnet, and getting the boat in the water. We went to Grand Rapids and bought materials to finish the ceiling in the bunkhouse. It will be nice to have that finished and usable.
It has been raining and cool, but it is great to be here relaxing. Life has been busy. It is nice to move at a slower pace. The drizzle came, the weekend visitors left. All is quiet at Waukenabo except for the woodpeckers working on Mark's cabin and the loons looking for a mate.
5/31/11
Just pruned the dead wood out of the raspberry bushes. Looking forward to lots of delicious red berries this summer.
6/1/11
I have spent the weekend appreciating the beautiful woodwork my husband Rick has done on our cabin. He is so talented.
6/9/11
It was windy and blue yesterday.My Mom's spirit is very close to me when it is a true "Lake Waukenabo" day with lots of sun and wind. Those are my favorite days here too - the wind blows the mosquitoes into the woods and makes the whole lake sparkle.
6/10/11
This is Grandpa Walter's day. I honor him for having the foresight to buy this land at Lake Waukenabo, for helping to build the cabin I enjoy all summer, for teaching me how to fish, pick berries, and to love the plants, trees, birds, frogs, crickets and all that is part of being a kid at the cabin. You were the best Grandpa!
6/30/11
Carter and I spent a delightful hour in the lake. Cool and beautiful. I seem to be quite sandy now, however.
7/2/11
Temp 72, humidity 60, lovely breeze from the WNW, clear sky, my family nearby. This is a perfect Waukenabo day. I want to capture it in a hundred jars and save it to open midwinter when I can't remember the perfection of summer at the cabin.
7/6/11
Loons calling but no little boys talking to me. It is a quiet day at the cabin. So nice to be able to share it with my brother and joyce. What a perfect holiday.
7/7/11
Did i do anything today? Oh, that's right, i'm at the cabin. I'm on waukenabo time. Still getting over a bad case of Swimmer's Itch. Poor Carter had it too. Bad Grandma played in the hot shallow water with him and didn't get all the bugs washed off.
7/8/11
We traveled the Great River Road from Palisade to Grand Rapids. Old Man River is still very high. Beautiful Minnesota North country off the beaten path. Another perfect day.
8/13/11
We have Traveled far and wide but nothing is as beautiful as a morning at Lake Waukenabo.
9/1/11
I must remember on those cold winter days how much I hate humidity like today. However, as the sun is getting low and I can see Grandpa and the boys playing in the sand I know that I will miss this time at the cabin. I am so blessed.
9/3/11
Picking late summer raspberries for a raspberry rum cooler. mmmmmmmmmm.
9/24/11
Great last boat ride for the summer and now it is safely in the garage. Where did my summer go?
10/24/11
The cabin is closed for the winter and the RV is winterized, so now we have no worries about frozen pipes. But I feel like Carter who had to be pulled out of the cabin crying -" I don't want to go home I want to stay at the cabin!" I don't want it to be winter.
5/31/11
Just pruned the dead wood out of the raspberry bushes. Looking forward to lots of delicious red berries this summer.
6/1/11
I have spent the weekend appreciating the beautiful woodwork my husband Rick has done on our cabin. He is so talented.
6/9/11
It was windy and blue yesterday.My Mom's spirit is very close to me when it is a true "Lake Waukenabo" day with lots of sun and wind. Those are my favorite days here too - the wind blows the mosquitoes into the woods and makes the whole lake sparkle.
6/10/11
This is Grandpa Walter's day. I honor him for having the foresight to buy this land at Lake Waukenabo, for helping to build the cabin I enjoy all summer, for teaching me how to fish, pick berries, and to love the plants, trees, birds, frogs, crickets and all that is part of being a kid at the cabin. You were the best Grandpa!
6/30/11
Carter and I spent a delightful hour in the lake. Cool and beautiful. I seem to be quite sandy now, however.
7/2/11
Temp 72, humidity 60, lovely breeze from the WNW, clear sky, my family nearby. This is a perfect Waukenabo day. I want to capture it in a hundred jars and save it to open midwinter when I can't remember the perfection of summer at the cabin.
7/6/11
Loons calling but no little boys talking to me. It is a quiet day at the cabin. So nice to be able to share it with my brother and joyce. What a perfect holiday.
7/7/11
Did i do anything today? Oh, that's right, i'm at the cabin. I'm on waukenabo time. Still getting over a bad case of Swimmer's Itch. Poor Carter had it too. Bad Grandma played in the hot shallow water with him and didn't get all the bugs washed off.
7/8/11
We traveled the Great River Road from Palisade to Grand Rapids. Old Man River is still very high. Beautiful Minnesota North country off the beaten path. Another perfect day.
8/13/11
We have Traveled far and wide but nothing is as beautiful as a morning at Lake Waukenabo.
9/1/11
I must remember on those cold winter days how much I hate humidity like today. However, as the sun is getting low and I can see Grandpa and the boys playing in the sand I know that I will miss this time at the cabin. I am so blessed.
9/3/11
Picking late summer raspberries for a raspberry rum cooler. mmmmmmmmmm.
9/24/11
Great last boat ride for the summer and now it is safely in the garage. Where did my summer go?
10/24/11
The cabin is closed for the winter and the RV is winterized, so now we have no worries about frozen pipes. But I feel like Carter who had to be pulled out of the cabin crying -" I don't want to go home I want to stay at the cabin!" I don't want it to be winter.
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