Ok...so, i took a break from studying this past weekend, to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

John Steele, our realtor (now lifelong-friend) had offered us the chance to vacation at his cabin in the woods of Michigan over the summer, but we never really gotten the chance to get away. This past weekend, however, he was headed up with his oldest daughter and grandson, and "needed a hand with winterizing the cabin and boathouse" before the lake froze over. Knowing this was one of the last times the offer was going to be extended before the snow started and ruined our chances of going, we agreed, and headed out friday afternoon after class.

A loooooong (7hr) car ride north, through the state of Wisconsin and into upper Michigan, and we'd finally made it to Steele Camp. It was after midnight, and the temperature was in the upper 20's. By the light of a flashlight, we were given a quick tour of the main cabin, and of the little house just down the hill at the edge of the lake,--our quarters for the weekend--the "boathouse." After rolling out the sleeping bags and climbing in, breath freezing in the air, we were fast asleep from exhaustion.

The next morning, we were awoken by the sound of birds...and the ringing of the bell from the main cabin, indicating it was time for breakfast. Since the boathouse had no heat, even the beauty of the sun rising above the lake from the screened-in porch didn't hold our attention for too long, and we hurried up into the warmth.


Now, to explain John...well...he and his family are really hippies. Good people. Everything they have, they share, and everyone is full of the most astounding stories. I adore their family, i really do. Besides them just being fascinating people, well...they makes mine look so normal... John and his wife Peggy have 14 kids...give or take. Four of them are biological, and the others are all foster kids they've adopted, most of whom have special needs on varying levels. The cabin is a place where ALL of them come together to get away, hang out together, bring friends, and just BE. And it is a beautiful disaster of a place. You never know what you're going to find stashed in nooks and crannys, from various works of art/craft, field guides, old newspapers... and it all has history they're more than excited to share. Parts of the cabin are original and rugged (John's grandfather was a master carpenter), and others are a hodge-podge of add-ons from subsequent generations, and family members with more "novice" carpentry skills, but the overall affect is cozy and inviting. There's no running water, though there is a sink, an old gas stove for cooking, and the lighting is either by firelight, kerosene lamp or old propane overhead lights in the main room. Quaint, indeed.

John and his oldest daughter and (only) grandson were there with us, and they already had the "Ben Franklin", the old wood stove that was the only source of heat, fired up, and breakfast ready when we arrived. Even some strong coffee was available, which is always welcomed in my world.
The rest of the day was full of adventures, from a nature hike on the property and surrounding nature reserve, to the hilarity of watching Richard and John brave the frigid lake water to bring up the pier. We saw and did so much in that one short Saturday that it's impossible to write about it all... i'll just have to let the pictures tell the story... (to be added individually at a later time. Blogspot is not cooperating tonight...)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41337&id=100000030597771&l=9d8ed786fc


That evening, there were S'mores, adult beverages, and lots more stories, jokes and games as the sun went down, and we settled in beside the fire... we talked late into the night before retiring to the boathouse and our warm sleeping bags once again.

Sunday brought the drizzle of rain, but once we'd enjoyed a lazy morning, the guys headed out to gather more wood and restock the pile for the next round of travelers to the cabin while the girls (and a 3yr old) cleaned and straightened, and readied the place for our departure. After lunch, a lot of "thank you's" and a few more pictures, we headed back home, just the two of us. We parted ways with the Steeles' at the top of the long, winding driveway, and drove a different way back to Waukegan than the way we'd come up, enjoying the ride and each other's company, and taking turns driving as we headed back to Waukegan.

It was an amazing adventure, and one i refuse to regret, even as my next exam looms in the distance and tries to make me feel guilty for abandoning studying for a few days... but so be it. It was worth it. What i did learn more than makes up for a letter grade. :)