We have been up here on our property just over two years now, we celebrated our two year move at the end of this past May/beginning of June.  When we moved up here we had plans for a low sitting cabin with just a small loft.  We desired our cabin to look like something that had been there a long time, something that if stumbled upon by someone walking through in the woods, it would have the appearance of “just coming out of the ground” or simply put, just belonging there.

Having realized quickly after living in the RV that despite our preference for a particular style of building structure, what we really needed was more room then we planned prior to our move.  Having a limited budget caused us to go with the old rule of thumb, “it is cheaper to build up then out” when it comes to building. So our cabin plans took a different direction and we went with a much taller structure then we had wanted. Because we wanted to actually get the most out of the upper level we pushed the interior walls out as far as possible in the loft area in order to get the most bang for our buck.

Over all we were pleased with the space we gained but not overly pleased with the finished look on the exterior. Though plans of hip roofs will ultimately change this look, for now, the hips roofs are only a dream.

Last spring, being the first spring the cabin had been here and everything having been cut back for the build it looked as dreadful as we had feared….at least compared to the original dream that had lingered in our minds for so many years.  However this spring, as we have become more settled here and the surrounding plant life has filled out from the build, it almost gives the mental pictures that they are embracing the cabin,  and though not the original vision of the cabin, it truly does look at though the cabin belongs here.

Ron and the boys put a simply, woodsy, loving touch to the placep; this past weekend, the beginning of a log fence.

This if the view from our front door looking down our path that leads to the drive.

A view just coming around the last curve of the path to the cabin.

Working as a team as well as working together (the two must go hand in hand).

The old fashion wash tub.

Ron fashioned the cabin door handle from a stick.

This painting below was the original style of cabin we were going for. The painting was done by Ron’s grandmother a long time ago.  It is of Ron’s grandfather’s hunting camp that was here somewhere in the UP though sadly it has been so many years that Ron can not remember exactly where. We have had it hanging in our home for many years, driven by this image to duplicate it in our journey, hence why I mentioned the “hip” roofs.  So though necessity causes original plans to change, it doesn’t mean its “bad”. It may simply may mean it can just  take a while to see its beauty. With that I say “all is still beautiful in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.”

Lea