The cabin conundrum
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 08:41AM 
It's a bit of a paradox. While many Minnesotans complain about "cabin fever" (even before the pandemic), many of us yearn for an actual cabin to call our own. Just a small rustic place on a clear quiet lake with loons. A short dock and little boat. A small swimming beach. A fireplace. A refuge for weekends or weeks. The gatherings at which might become a cherished family tradition.
And all within easy driving distance of Minneapolis/St. Paul. (Good luck with that one!)
With planned trips out of state (and out of the country) postponed do to travel restrictions and common health sense, I have been doing quite a bit of in-state travel this summer. A hiking trip to the North Shore with a stay at an AirBnB in Grand Marais, a lovely week with my daughter's family in a small resort near Walker, and biking/hiking trip to the Iron Range have all aggravated my itch for a cabin "up north." I gaze longingly as I pass the realtor signs in driveways, pick up brochures at real estate offices, and scan the want ads in the paper in each area. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune each Sunday runs a loving tribute to an individual cabin in the region.
As a Minnesota transplant, there is no family cabin to use or inherit, so any cabin purchase would need to come out of retirement savings. And there lies the dilemma. The expense of a cabin - purchase, upkeep, taxes, insurance, etc. would come from funds I now use for other types of recreation - international hiking/biking trips, Road Scholar tours, snow bird months spent in a warm climate, theater tickets, etc. All activities I would miss very much should I not be able to afford them.
Would buying a cabin basically be a commitment to a stay there being the only form of recreation one might have? Would it get boring? (I don't fish or hunt.) How much different is sitting my own backyard now, overlooking a small pond and reading a book, from sitting on the porch of a cabin, looking out over a lake and reading a book?
My buddy and I have this conversation on nearly every one of our weekly hikes, and seem to get no closer to seriously searching for our respective cabins. Perhaps at a time when age denies me the ability to hike and bike and travel to exotic locales it may make more sense to buy a permanent vacation.
In the meantime, I will just dream on...
Cabin owners? Your thoughts would be appreciated!
Reader Comments (2)
The picture is very tempting. We have thought about it, but just do not want the responsibility. Instead, we have our yearly getaway. Often twice a year. We stay at a wilderness resort in the Adirondack Mountains. Bob can fish and photograph. I can read And enjoy the beauty. We both can kayak and hike. We don’t even have to deal with our own kayaks. Kayaks, canoes and rowboats are all provided so as to avoid invasive species coming in on boats with the guests. There are only approximately 50 guests total. The cabins are spread out and not visible to neighbors. There are 12,000 acres not open to the public and the price includes 3 meals a day. Not to mention a stunningly beautiful lake. We have the benefits of a secluded cabin and a restful atmosphere without any of the work. Perfect! Elk Lake. North Hudson NY. Sadly, it is closed this year because of COVID. The only drawback.
Jacquie,
Sounds perfect. I'm thinking that renting is the way to go... Thanks for the comment!
Doug