Our journey began nearly 16 years ago when we purchased remote lake shore property in northern MN. We wanted a quiet, remote, pristine getaway and we found what we were looking for right in the middle of Superior National Forest. We purchased a 20 acre parcel on the south side of an environmental, spring fed, designated trout lake. (Motors are not allowed on environmental lakes).
The property is not for the timid. Our driveway is just short of a mile long. We have enjoyed a small shelter on the property with wood heat, no electricity, and no water for the past 16 years. When there is no snow we drive into our shelter. During the winter we strap on snow shoes and pull a pulk sled with our gear. Fall is beautiful but true solitude is found in the dead of winter when the snow is piled high and the surrounding forest falls quiet.
The forest around us has towering old growth white pines, red pine, white cedar, spruce, balsam, birch, and poplar. We planted another 1200 white and red pine plus a wildlife mix but Mother Nature thrives without our assistance.
We've decided it's time for us to build our small cabin. The goal is to have some contractor help along the way for major tasks such as excavation and foundation work but from there we "hope" to build the cabin ourselves with help from friends and family. We are not experienced contractors but we do have previous building knowledge from building decks, garages, and finishing multiple homes. Essentially we know which end of the hammer to use, and to date, nothing we have built has ever fallen down (that we are aware of).
We have our contractors for excavation and ICF foundation work. We have our Land Use Permit. We have 3 bids for material. Final cabin plans are cooling from the printer ...
READY, SET, ... RAIN!
We've had so much rain the last 3 weeks that our start date is pushing out towards the end of June.
Stay tuned as we share updates along our journey.
La Shaque Winter 2015 & Dock spring photo
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