Cabin Life
Monday, August 4th, 2008
Most people think that living in Minnesota is nine months of unbearable cold and three months of unbearable hot, humid weather. Add to that statement brisk, clear fall days and cool, wet spring afternoons and that more accurately describes Minnesota weather. But this does not mean that the weather is bad, it is the extremes in weather that make each season uniquely its own for enjoyment.
While I do enjoy each season in its own right, what I want to talk about is summer. Minnesotans love the summer. It is inevitable that if it is a nice day, most Minnesotans will be outside enjoying life…exercising, lounging around, doing water sports, you name it. But one of the favorite weekend activities for Minnesotans is going north to a cabin for a weekend getaway.
We were recently talking to some friends from Atlanta, describing this “going north” concept and they said, “isn’t Minnesota north enough already?” I had never thought of it like that before. And yes, that is true that Minnesota is pretty far north, but if you journey just a bit farther you will find a cabin subculture where Minnesotans go to play.
This past weekend was the scene for an annual cabin party event with good friends. Each year 15-20 friends gather at a cabin just outside Alexandria for good times. We eat, drink, ski, tube, play games, laugh…I won’t go any further in describing the weekend than that. (Although there are many a good story to be told). We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, marriages (Way to go Luke and Georgann for spending the first part of your honeymoon with us this year!), and friendship. It’s a tradition that has lasted 10 years and will hopefully last for a long time to come.
So when you think of Minnesota weather, don’t just picture the cold, winter days. Think of all the Minnesotans up north on a lake in the summer, drinking a cold beer and hanging out with good friends.
