It’s a difficult time of year to leave the cabin. We left in the wild throes of fall, when the trees were electrified with the colder air. It was sunny and fifty degrees and the leaves were at their peak brightness.
The moose, knowing that hunting season was over, came to the edge of our path and stared up at us, taunting us. I wondered if he knew we would be leaving any day, closing up the cabin and heading into the city.
None of us wanted to leave. Our little water spirit smiled as the glow of the autumn light hit her face. Kris listened obsessively to the marine weather report, ready for the fall surf sessions. I sometimes got up twice a night just to look at the stars that we hadn’t seen in so long.
The leaves started to let go. Wind climbed over the metal roof. Barely perceptible ice crystals crunched under our feet on morning treks to the outhouse.
Everything gets just a little more beautiful and a little more difficult this time of year. Our little one needs boots, a coat, and a hat at least before we can go outside.The woodstove needs more tending. More wood needs to be chopped. The water lines need to be drained every night, which means we need to haul more water. The lantern needs to be lit and refueled. Showers are cold in the Cook Inlet wind.
As the snow threatened, we knew that we needed to leave before the first big dump, or our car would be stuck, even with the four-wheel-drive.
Plus, we had projects waiting for us in Anchorage.
The Tiny Ticky Tacky life is an amalgamation of places and homes, which is where the Ticky Tacky part of our name comes from. From May to October, we live in our tiny off-the-grid cabin and in the winters, we are remodeling the in-law’s split level home to have a little apartment for us.
So, we have just begun the very seeds of the remodel. I will tell you, just clearing space in the basement has been an adventure so far. Hopefully, there will be time this winter to write about it and I am really looking forward to posting some before and after pictures.
Stay tuned for: Dispatches from the Basement!
I love hearing your marking of the seasons. Here in Scotland we are also beginning to batten down hatches for winter – but at least the midgies are away! Good luck with the basement, and look forward to hearing more.
Nicely written. I feel you sadness at your removal for winter. Bring on Spring.