"Up North is a State of Mind"

Fifty-plus years ago Terry’s grandparents purchased land on a beautiful lake “up north”. Over the years they built a little cabin (no electricity, no plumbing) that their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and now great-great grandchildren enjoy each summer.  You would think that after decades of visiting the same place “up north” it would get routine, mundane or evening boring.  Not true!  Every time we travel “up north” the anticipation of a week in the Northwoods is almost more than we can handle and the let down we feel when we leave has never declined over the years. 

This week was an “up north” week.  Things have changed a bit in 50 years – we now have our own cabin with electricity and plumbing, but the “little cabin” is still there, across the lake, begging for us to visit – even in the winter.  So, part of the routine for our visits always includes a visit to the “little cabin”.  In the summer we row across the lake - and in the winter we walk (trudge) on the frozen water.  

This year our “Mary-thon” workout took us trudging across the frozen lake in the snow and I’d like to take you on a virtual tour of our outdoor fitness center.  Keep in mind that in years past our “up north” visits were only during the warm summer months.  A winter with no heat, no electricity and no water – in other words “extreme camping” – was never on our “to do” list so we limited our visits to June, July and August.  Experiencing the snowy and icy Northwoods is relatively new to us - but fun and exciting, nonetheless.  So – here’s how we fufilled our “Mary-thon” commitment this week:

Standing on the lake, ready to start hiking across.  Much of the snow melted or blew off...leaving a 29 acre ice skating rink!

It was a little "blustery" so the hood came up as the jogging began.  That didn't last long...it got hot real quick once I got moving!

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!

The raft is floating in 12 feet of water...ready for a swim?  

This is the "bath rock" where we left our towels and toiletries and the lake was our bath tub.  I never really got into "lake bathing"...so Terry built me a portable tent-outdoor shower instead!  Loved it!

The Lake is called "Cherry Lake".  This is the "Cherry Pit".  For 30 years we've been passing the time holding our noses and reading the quote inside the door that says:  "A Royal Flush" is better than a "Full House"!  

Cabin Sweet Cabin!  How do you like Terry's hat?  A true Northwoodsman!

Looks like I'm carrying wood to fuel the fire.  I'm not...just pretending!

Time for some strength training - jogging up and down the hill from the lake to the little cabin.  It was snow and ice packed - which made it a bit of a challenge. Still a great way to work out!

Yep - we pumped water.  If that wasn't hard enough - carrying two buckets of water up the hill and back to the cabin was quite a workout as well.  Fortunately - as soon as our kids were old enough to pump and haul water - they did the pumping and the hauling!  

In the summer - we paddle.  In the winter - we sit and snuggle.  

No fresh fish this time...too hard to crack the ice...too cold to fish.                                       (Personally I'd rather sew than fish anyway.)

Time to finish up my workout and jog back to the "big cabin". 

Catching a few "rays" on the raft before going inside.  

As we leave the Northwoods, I find that when I go for an outside run, or workout in front of a window, or even just hold on to an image or two of the trees and the lake and the sky and the cabin and especially the natural beauty of the outdoors...I can be back "up north" - because "Up North is a State of Mind" - and I LOVE being there!

Hope you find your "up north" as you exercise this week.  

Keep Moving Forward!

Mary