Friday, January 21, 2005

my retreat, closer to reality

There's my dream cabin, the one I want back on "the point" in our pasture, overlooking the Missouri River bottom.  Unfortunately, it costs more than I want to invest in a camping spot ($6,000).  Every time I head out toward the barn, my eyes have been drawn to a shed that used to be my mom's.  When she passed away, Cliff moved it near his shop, and now uses it for storing all sorts of things that might clutter up his shop. 

There it is, next to our old garage.  (That roof in the background belongs to the mobile home where my mom used to live, and where our renters now live... some day I'll do an entry about them.)  Those strings are hanging in the doorway because Cliff kept bumping his head on the doorway, and they serve to remind him to duck.  This little shed is 11X14... the perfect size for my getaway place!  Cliff and I have discussed what it would take to get it "just right":  a window on each side, a stove pipe for a small wood stove; and perferably a smaller door.  Cliff is thinking perhaps he'd leave the existing door, plan on leaving it closed, and just put a walk-in door with screen in the other end.  Thanks to our son-in-law, we have some sheets of metal that could be put on the outside of the building to spruce it up somewhat.

You see, I love camping out.  Cliff enjoys staying at home.  As I draw closer to retirement, I'm more aware of the costs of traveling.  I doubt that many people can see the fun in spending a night in a converted storage shed with no electricity.  But it sounds like great fun to me!  All I'd need is a good book, my guitar and my dog, and I'd be communing with nature right in my own back yard.  Cliff and I are discussing the possibility of an outhouse:  not for myself, because I do fine without one; but in case my granddaughters wanted to spend time there with me, they haven't been raised as "hillbilly" as their grandma was.  Cliff mentioned that we could set the camper up back there for a family campout, sometimes.

I'm so glad I never grew up!  And I realize how blessed I am to have a husband who caters to my wild ideas.  We've both seen so many of our wishes come to pass, it's really hard to believe.   Cliff and I have told one another often, over the years, "If it all ended today, it's been a great life."  But thus far, it keeps going on, each day as wonderful as the one before.  I think we need a sign for our place that reads, "Woodhaven Acres, Where Dreams Come True".  Except Cliff hates to mow around signs, so I guess I'll just post the sign in my mind... or perhaps frame the words and hang them on my cabin wall!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the cabin! The camper sounds like a good idea too.

Anonymous said...

I don't for see your prissy grand daughter (Amber) sleeping in the shed, or using an out house.  Lucky for you, you have Natalie and Monica who would enjoy that.

Anonymous said...

Can I come and stay in your shed?

Anonymous said...

When my grandparents were preparing to retire and move to the country from the Philly area, they bought some property in upper state PA. They got an old chicken coop from the farmer that they bought the property from and turned it into their sleeping quarters to use on the weekends while they built their house. When we stayed summers with them, my brother and I slept in a tent. When they finally retired and moved up there, the house wasn't done yet since my grandfather was doing the building himself. So to make things a bit more convenient, they bought one of those metal sheds and made it into a kitchen. They did have electricity in both though. They just had lines ran from the main power line to their property. Staying with them every summer are some of my fondest memories, even if we were kind of roughing it. Oh, and we did have to use an outhouse. We took sponge baths too! You should go for your dream. It sounds wonderful.

:-) ---Robbie

Anonymous said...

It's only $6,000 for a cool little cabin like the first photo?? Where?!! I'd love to put one of those out in the yard to use as a play house for Tyler. LOL It would be great for storage too. Hmm... I like your storage shed conversion ideas too. It doesn't sound too hard to do. Just moving the shed out to the spot where you want it...that sounds tricky.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a heck of a good idea. Why not do it? No matter what the cost, it's cheaper than any "vacation" spot. You and Cliff seem to havi it right. Great! rich

Anonymous said...

Hi there.  It is so good to visit your journal again.  I'm going to set alerts b/c I am not getting around to visiting my favorite journals on the weekends anymore.  Now I won't miss them.
I always love your journal b/c you are so full of life and have such a fun loving personality - at least it seems like it with your words.  
Now I LOVE a good campout if it involves a good cookout!  I don't like the bugs or the threat of bears.
Sonya

Anonymous said...

I'm all for it.  Ya gotta have the porch, though.  Can a porch be added?  When it was the cabin, I was picturing you on that little porch, drinking coffee, looking out over the river bottoms.  Gotta have a porch.  (sheesh, I sound like Rainman.)

Anonymous said...

Man...I wish I could adopt your attitude about life!  On my death bed I want my last words to be "What a great ride!"   Russ

Anonymous said...

You seem to be a person who likes her own company. I like that. I don't know why anyone would ever get bored. Paula