Our small cabin is big on memories

Most people would define a cabin as a small, simple house in a wild, remote place: a retreat away from modern urban life. Fortunately, Lisa and I don’t have to travel hours north of the Twin Cities to arrive at our cabin. Instead, we drive a mere 12 miles north of Waseca on Highway 13. There, on a hill along a quiet residential street in Waterville, is our home away from home on a small piece of shoreline in the southeast corner of Lake Tetonka. As you drive up the half-grass-half-gravel driveway, you pass the storage shed and arrive at the front door. A “Camp Zika” sign hangs on a large, oak stump to the west of the cabin. The large wooden sign features a beautiful, etched walleye in the middle of the print. A tall, magnificent pine stands whispering toward the back; it rivals any pine located in the Brainerd Lakes area. The cabin has withstood two floods, staying dry because it is located on a hill. It has lost a dock, pontoon and lift to a tornado. Winds reaching up to 70 mph have taken several oak trees and a huge cottonwood.

 

Lisa calls our retreat a “baby” cabin–small, inviting, cozy, and full of love. One big room is knotty pine from floor to a pitched ceiling. A wall of windows is located on the north wall, open to a beautiful lake view. The TV, chairs and couch, dining room table, and kitchen are all included in what we call the main room.

 

Lisa’s woodsy touches are on display everywhere in this space. Lampshades featuring moose, bear, and pine trees, along with a hanging light made with branches highlight the room. A round, wooden table features a collection of bears with Papa Bear holding a sign that says “The Zikas.” 

 

Lisa has given me permission to display three mounted trophy fish on the wall along with a mounted wood duck and a ruffed grouse in this space. I also have a collection of old fishing lures in a display case, an old trout creel, and a mallard decoy framed in barnwood: these personal touches give this old camper much pleasure.

 

A small bedroom with a “full” sized bed, a bunkbed, and a dresser and closet comprise the cabin’s sleeping quarters. The knotty pine walls are full of pictures of memories made at the lake. Our daughter-in-law Shannon has taken many beautiful photos: among them are grandchildren visiting Camp Zika during the summer, cardinals and orioles at the feeders, fun in the boats and on the water, and the boys’ first times up on water skis. Two of my favorites are a spectacular sunset behind some fishing boats printed on canvas and a picture of the family at the front of the cabin.

 

The bathroom is spacious, with a shower, washer and dryer, and plenty of cabinet and drawer space.

 

Over the years, scores of friends have visited, bringing food, beverages and many thoughtful cabin decorations and wall hangings. “Gone fishing,” “Hook, line and drinkers,” and “Tetonka Lake Lodge” are classics. On the back outdoor wall of the cabin hangs a thermometer which also illustrates bait lures. A tin sign nearby features the Budweiser clydesdales.

 

The cabin has a wonderful deck just out the back door. Lisa had me make a stand-up shelf…or table…or whatever it should be called…out of pallets which stand vertically and landscaping bricks for the top. I complained as I built it, but visitors love it and admire how creative it is.

 

A table and chairs shaded by a large umbrella are also on the deck, as is a grill.

 

The cabin has a second deck halfway down the stairs leading to the water; that, too, has outdoor furniture for comfortable visits and snacking. A long hedge of dogwoods gives us privacy from the cabins located to our east and west.

 

When we lost our daughter Katie, the cabin became a memorial to her, a place she loved beyond measure. Katie’s friends and our friends gave us many thoughtful mementos: a bench swing for viewing sunsets rocks on the second deck. Several wind chimes blow in the wind making beautiful music in memory of Katie. A big moon accompanied by some stars hangs on a side of the shed. Many, many birdhouses give life to young birds in honor of Katie. My favorite is KT’s Kool Condos: the roots of this tree-shaped birdhouse are made from license plates reading 045-KTZ. Every spring into summer, the “condos” provide shelter to at least three families of wrens. Katie is also remembered in many pictures which hang on the cabin wall.

 

We are blessed with three wonderful, important circumstances in owning our cabin. We have great neighbors on both sides who are quality people who love to visit and are considerate for our senior well-being. We also have a great view of the lake; people always comment on it. All season long, biting bugs are at a minimum. We experience few mosquitos, gnats or biting flies.

 

A sign hangs on the cabin wall which lists eight cabin rules. Some of them are easily met. “Soaking up the sun,” “eating and drinking plenty,” “go boating” and “sit by the fire” are rules we have followed persistently for decades. I can still wake up every morning smiling and singing a good morning song to Lisa. “Be grateful for every day,” “nap often,” and “enjoy a sunset”--especially on Katie’s bench–are easily accomplished.

 

A little towel hanging in the bathroom, a gift from one of Lisa’s best friends, reads: Love grows best in little cabins, with fewer walls to separate. Where you eat and sleep so close together, you can’t help but communicate. Oh, and if we had more room between us, think of all we’d miss. Love grows best in little cabins just like this.