Length of stay: 1 day
Visited: December 2020
We’ve been feeling kind of blah lately. Maybe it was because of the weather, lack of sunlight, the never-ending pandemic, or the fact that we completed the 52 Hike Challenge about a month ago, and weren’t sure what to do with all this free time. So we decided to head up to the cabin for the weekend.
Day 1: Getting to Work
We drove up Saturday morning. It felt weird to not stop and go for a hike along the way. But not to worry, we’d be getting our steps in soon enough. One of the downsides to visiting the cabin in the winter is that we often have to park our car at the top of the road since it’s not maintained. While there was no snow in Toronto, there was a light layer of it along with some ice near North Frontenac where the cabin is situated. The forecast was calling for more snow overnight, so we didn’t want to risk driving in only to get stuck on the drive out.
It’s not a long walk to the cabin, just under a kilometre, but we do have to carry in all our supplies, including water. After our first trip, K stayed behind to get a fire going in the wood stove and heat up some water for tea. I made two more trips back and forth to carry the rest of our stuff in. I needed the exercise.
It usually takes a few hours for the cabin to warm-up. In the meantime I searched through the forest for smaller pieces of dry wood and used the hand saw to cut it up. This stuff is really great for getting the fire going and is nice to have an ample supply of when visiting during the winter months.
We were planning to return to the cabin in a couple of weeks to celebrate New Year’s, so I moved a bunch of wood from the outhouse inside the cabin to make it easier for next time.
After sufficiently working up a sweat, I headed back inside to settle in and finally get some rest and relaxation. We spent the remainder of the afternoon reading by the wood stove and playing board games.
Day 2: Enjoying the Snow
It snowed throughout the night and we woke up to a fresh layer of snow on the ground. There’s always something so magical after a fresh snowfall. I was eager to get outside and enjoy it.
We spent the morning cleaning up around the cabin. After eating a late breakfast we headed out. While it was a short visit, I’m glad we were able to get away. It’ll be nice to return in a couple of weeks and stay for a bit longer.
L
Congratulations on completing the 52 Week Hike challenge, that’s something to celebrate! With so many amazing trails in your part of the world, you could most likely challenge yourself to another 52 weeks. And yes, you are right, there’s certain magic in freshly fallen snow – it makes the world very still and pleasingly silent. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva
Thanks, it was definitely the most ambitious challenge that we’ve undertaken to date. At the beginning of the year when we first signed up, we thought there was no way that we could complete the challenge. But then COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and all these public health and travel restrictions were put into place. So we had much more free time on our hands to hike. It was fun exploring more of the trails in our own backyard and it gave us something to look forward to every weekend. Who knows, maybe we’ll complete the challenge again this year. Thanks for reading.
Your cabin looks so cosy, hope you manage to get back there soon.
Thanks, it feels even cozier this time of the year when it’s snowing outside and you have a fire burning in the wood stove. We’re hoping to return in a few weeks. Hopefully there will be enough snow that we can go snowshoeing. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I love reading about your cabin life and how you get it ready for a visit or a future visit. It seems so wonderfully intimate! It must be nice to wake up and immerse yourself immediately in all that nature.
It’s too bad the cabin doesn’t have electricity or access to the internet otherwise we’d probably spend more time up there. But maybe it’s good to keep the cabin separate from work life. I feel fortunate that we’ve had the cabin to escape to during the pandemic. It’s always nice to get a change of scenery, focus on the simple things in life and just enjoy being surrounded by nature.
It sounds a wonderfully simple escape from the pandemic and daily grind! And warmer days are ahead.
You bet. I made a couple of campsite reservations earlier this week, which is pretty exciting. It was surprising that many of the sites have already been booked for the end of June. Looks like camping is going to be pretty popular this summer.
The 52 Hike Challenge was a real accomplishment during the pandemic. So nice that you have a cabin where you can go even if only for a day to get a break from the monotony. We are really feeling the cabin fever this year and this coupled with our recent string of bad luck is making us even more anxious for a carefree adventure. Stay well and thanks for sharing. Allan
Turns out 2020 was a great year to sign up for and complete the 52 Hike Challenge. It certainly gave us motivation to get out and enjoy the fresh air and something to look forward to every weekend. And I hear yah, the pandemic fatigue has really gotten to us the past couple of months. We try to still go outside every weekend for a hike, but I’m just feeling a bit down and unmotivated. We’ll just have to take things a shingle day at a time (ha).
I love reading your post and it so challenging during this time of pandemic. Like the cabin life in the woods!
The pandemic has really made us slow down and try to spend more time outdoors and appreciate the simple things in life. We’ve been fortunate that we have the cabin to escape to whenever we need a change of pace and scenery. Thanks for reading and commenting.
My pleasure!
Congrats guys. A really idyllic little wintry spot. If I could find a place like this on the outskirts of Belgrade (with wifi ha ha!) I’d transport myself there in a second.
It’s too bad our cabin doesn’t have wifi …or running water and electricity. That is why we only stay for a few days at a time. There have been a lot of people fleeing the city and moving out to the suburbs or to cottage country here in Ontario. There aren’t too many perks to city life anymore now that we’re all working from home and most non-essential stores are closed.
I loved going to our cabin in the winter. You almost feel like a pioneer!! Your’s looks like a great place to escape the busyness of the city.
I love visiting the cabin in the winter too. It’s generally more work as we have to hike in with all our supplies, but it’s so peaceful and quiet. And we don’t have to worry about any pesky bugs. We’ve certainly gotten a lot of use out of it during the pandemic. It sure beats living in the city these days.
You did it! Congrats on finishing your 52 Week Hike Challenge! Glad you were able to enjoy the snow at your cabin. It makes everything beautiful 😊
Thanks!! It’s been quite the ambitious challenge, but it’s been nice to have a goal to work towards, especially during the pandemic when it’s not as if we have much else going on. It was nice to head to the cabin for the weekend and spend some time outdoors, something we haven’t really done since completing the 52 Hike Challenge. There is generally a lot more snow at the cabin than here in Toronto, so we got to enjoy it while we can!
That’s so lovely! I haven’t been to Toronto, but it sounds like a large city that you sometimes need to get away from
There are always pros and cons to living in a big city like Toronto. There have definitely been more cons lately due to the pandemic. It’s nice that we have the cabin to escape to and just be completely surrounded by nature.
You guys sure had a good time L — the cabin, your captures and the snow❣️
For sure. It’s always nice to get away and have a change of scenery, especially these days when we don’t leave our apartment much. It’s especially beautiful up at the cabin in the winter after a fresh snowfall.
Hope you get to go to the cabin more regularly L!
Given that we’re still under lockdown we probably will be spending more time at the cabin this winter. There’s usually more snow there, so it’ll be nice go snowshoeing. Take care.
Your cabin in the woods always makes me dream, life in the city has its good sides but it is great to be able to be out in nature from time to time.
Agreed, it’s nice to have a mix between city and rural living. And it’s always nice to spend time in nature, it helps keep me grounded. The longer the pandemic drags out, the more I’ve been leaning towards moving away from Toronto and being closer to more green spaces and conservation areas.
Congratulations! 👍🏽
Thanks! It’s been fun participating in the 52 Hike Challenge and exploring more of the trails in my own backyard. It’s been nice to have something to look forward to during the pandemic. And it sure kept us busy.
Congratulations! Well done. 🙂
Your cabin must be a terrific spot to just unwind and find some serenity. I loved your description of reading and playing board games next to the fire.
It really is. It’s especially peaceful and quiet during the winter. It’s a lot more work to get there and we usually have to get up a few times in the middle of the night to feed the fire, but it’s generally well worth the effort. It’s the perfect place to just relax, read a book or play board games.
Lovely place! Your cabin looks like the perfect place to be in such turbulent times!
For sure. I feel fortunate that we have the cabin to escape to, especially this year because of the pandemic. It’s been tough living and working in an apartment where every day pretty much feels the same. So it’s been nice to be able to get a change of scenery and see and do something different.
What a wonderful place to escape to. Nothing like a cozy wood stove and pretty winter scenery. Hope you’re feeling less blah (I think most of us can relate).
Before the pandemic we typically visited the cabin 2 to 3 times a year. Last year we went up 10 times. It’s been great to have somewhere to escape too and shake things up. Otherwise it just feels a bit like Groundhog Day and the days just blend together. The days at least are starting to get longer.
Wow ! Congratulations 👏 52 weeks of hiking.
Thanks!! 2020 was a great year to go hiking, especially since that was one of the few activities we could (safely) do during the pandemic. It was nice to have something to work towards and look forward to on the weekends.
What a great way to spend the weekend. I love a good wood fire, and there is nothing better than a finely stacked pile of wood. Well done you!
It’s always nice spending time at the cabin and just focus on the simple things in life. I find gathering and cutting wood very therapeutic. Of course it’s also great to enjoy the fruits of my labour and get a nice fire burning in the wood stove.
Wood stoves are ideal. Can you boil water or cook on yours?
We replaced the wood stove a few years ago with one that is more efficient and has a glass door, which makes for a great light source. Also, who doesn’t enjoy watching the fire!? We haven’t really tried to boil water on it, but we do use the wood stove to warm things up or roast veggies on.
Such a great way to get away from the busy life of a city. Sometimes a simple life brings more joy, although the benefits of the civilization get priority LOL That’s an amazing area, we always take Hwy 7 when going to Ottawa.
One of the benefits of the pandemic is that it’s really made us slow down and try to appreciate and enjoy the simple things in life. It’s been great spending so much time up at the cabin and just getting away from the world around us. You’re absolutely right, the benefits of civilization get priority! Since there is no running water, we usually only visit for a few days.
I love this scenery and the little cabin. But I think I’ve streamed too many crime movies. That little cabin actually looks pretty spooky! And I’m not sure I could ever get to sleep there!!! It’s probably just me.
I know what you mean. It’s nice being secluded out in the middle of nowhere, but sometimes it can feel a bit eerie. I’m always paranoid about leaving the door unlocked during the night. I don’t think I could ever stay up here by myself. Safety in numbers.
Firewood warms you three times: cutting it, stacking it, burning it. 🙂
Oh, I love that saying. It’s so true and all very satisfying. It’s always nice to enjoy the fruits of your labour.