Cabin Living

This was my driveway last winter, turning back into the woods.

I lived in the Bear's Den cabin.

No electric.  

No running water.

Only an outhouse.

And I loved it.

Rustic.

But tonight...as I sit 40 miles north,

 in my comfy heated domain (my Mother's home), 

I am once again homesick.

The snow has officially arrived.  

Sure, it snowed earlier this fall. 

But tonight has the feel of a storm.

Snow is falling.

Winds are slamming the sliding glass doors. 

Although oddly, I feel no change in my circumstances.  

I have bare feet.  No cold here.

If I were back at the cabin, 

on my land, 

I would feel connected to the storm.  

A part of it.

Here, I am only a spectator.  

And that saddens me.  

But tomorrow I will visit, Lord willing.  

And once again be a participant.  

With socks on...and warm boots.

Until tomorrow, Lord willing.  Hope to see you here.

Sherry

City Chick...a-Dee

I never realized I would have a hard sell in the city.  

Last winter, nestled deep in the woods, my birds appreciated me.  

Upon walking in, they would greet me with songs and calls.  

Then, without an invitation, they would land on my head.

I would tell them to wait...but I always had a smile while doing so.

They were my buddies...one of my simple daily joys.

And now, as winter is approaching, it has been decided I will stay in the city, assisting family.

In the city on the bay.

But there's a slight problem.

Although the deer in the city are tame(ish).

The Chickadee's...not so much.

So starts the hard sell.  

I've been trying to win them over for the last couple months.  

I hope they become like my other feathered friends, who live deep in the woods.  

I would venture out of the cabin in the morning and upon my head they would perch.  

One time I drove 1/2 mile away and got out of the truck, and upon my head they landed.  

Sometimes they would sit on the wiper blade, waiting for me to exit the truck, peeking in.

But the city ones?  So far, I've only had one land on my hand.

Now if only I could get the turkey's to show up also.  

Life in the city would get a little better. 

Until tomorrow, Lord willing...

Sherry

P.S.  I hope my feathered friends in the woods, 40 miles south, will not think I abandoned them this winter.  Who knows, perhaps they will find me if they fly north.  I can only dream.  

Winter is in Full Swing

Today has been very special.

First, our dogsledding tours began today.

Click here...to see.

Second, we have overnight guests staying at our Bear's Den cabin.

It's always exciting to read their journal entries upon their departure. 

Inspiration comes easy without electricity and running water.

Poets are born.

Photo taken in previous year.

This overnight couple will be our 2nd tour of the week.

The dogs are happy to get the "show on the road".

As are we...

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

1/3 Living - Going Off Grid

It's been brewing for a while.  A change...a desire.

Something needed to be altered.  We needed LESS...

Truth is, God has graced us with so much abundance...
and we are eternally grateful for that fact.

However, for us, less is more.

I knew things would change the day I retired...er, retreated from working a "normal", leave-home type job.

But the change was put off, as we were so busy with dog sled rides...

And then, just surviving winter...

In addition, as the dog sled rides waned, and maple syrup season began, we were busy with other projects, including a nice long stay from a 12-year old boy, who stole the hearts of many, including ours, while here at our place.

 Jordan, peeking into the Trail Cam, upon a nightly visit. 

Simply stated, we put it off.

Then, it was time for Jordan to return home.

And a mere 4 days later, Russ was injured in a fall, where his horse, Raz, rolled on his leg, landing him on crutches.

Now, having lost June, and sliding into July, a change is due.

Truth is, we want to see what it would be like to live without electricity or running water.

At the Bear's Den cabin.  On our "back 10"...

We spent the 4th there all day.  Working, then taking a nice afternoon nap in the heat of the day.  It felt so right.  As Russ dozed off, and Zip sighed by my feet, I laid there in the cool of the cabin, listening to the Hermit Thrush sing his soulful tune just outside the homemade screen door.  I felt a million miles from any one, any place.  Far from the world, but closer than ever to God. 

Yes, it is time for our Independence Day.  We are moving in tomorrow.

We won't be taking much, as we want to truly have what we only need.

It's 8 x 10.  Quiet and secluded.

We're adding a small chicken coop, for breakfast eggs.   We will be utilizing 3 Buff Orphingtons, one of whom just hatched 5 chicks, who are growing like weeds.  We will move the 3 adults and the 5 chicks.  No rooster at this time, even though we have several to choose from.  We'll see what morphs into being with the chicks.  I'm sure there's a rooster or two in the bunch.

We decided to use a dog house, which has never been used as such, for our new coop.  Here it is ... 

Of course fencing to be added to protect the chickens, and this unique house will be put up on stumps.

Now, around back, to the new dog yard area. (Outhouse is to the right.)

This will be the new (dog yard) home of our "Fab Four".  Broccoli, Skunk, Knik, and Malakai.

More on that later.  


NOTE:  We are not downsizing or getting rid of any animals.  Just trying something new.

So, stay tuned, as we take this step and move "out back" for the next year.  We'll be using the dogs and horses more and more for power as we try to get back to an even simpler way of life.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

 

March Mushing Madness

Even though our last official tour ended on Saturday,
we are still "all things dog".

We still have snow.  And we have a kennel full of dogs who love it.

As Iditarod plays out this week,

my mind wanders back to when the current 4-in-a-row Champion was at our place,

back in September of 2008,

during a full moon. 

Mr. Lance Mackey

4-time (back to back) Yukon Quest Champ.  4-time (back to back) Iditarod Champ. 

Making history on the back of a dog sled.

Folks were excited to meet him here, at Russ-Stick Acres.

For me, meeting this legend was a dream come true.

And what a wonderful way to do so, surrounded by like-minded folks.

We had door prizes galore, provided graciously by nearly every mushing-related company.

Many folks, over 100, went home with a prize under their arm.

We had singing. 

Horse-drawn transportation.

And happy participants, despite the rainy weather.

People were excited to meet Lance. 

The legend.

He's such a humble man, and kind to all, young and old. 

He "engages" with you.

Sometimes now, when I walk the property

and visit our Bear's Den cabin where Lance and his wife Tonya stayed,

it's hard to believe they were here for 4 days.

It seems like a dream...

...that he followed the trail to our little place in Michigan.

Lance. 
This video says it all. 
Catch the March Mushing Madness...you may just see history in the making.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

Country Rustic Living

Just a reminder, as we transition into Fall...

We have an interesting adventure for you, should the timing be right:

Click on ADVENTURE.

Sharing our Adventure

We have decided we have something too good to keep to ourselves...

So we are renting out our Bear's Den cabin this fall.

Check it out...

HERE

While you are visiting the link, take the time to click on Heimo and Dick ~ amazing videos...