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A girl can dream (can't she?)
I grew up going to my grandparents' cabin in the canyon. We had the blue one halfway up the road, the one with the monkey bridge over the creek, the rope swings, the hammock, the tree house, the profusion of geraniums, the loft with nine beds, the woodcarved phrase over the mantle Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress is our God). My grandpa knew how to create a magical spot, that's for sure. In the summer all the cousins (and many second cousins in nearby cabins) would gather and play endless games of War and Kick the Can and go barefoot and tube in the creek and do what kids do when they have time and wide open space.
Every once in a while I indulge in dreams of establishing our own family getaway, somewhere where our kids can bring their kids and the magic can continue for a few more generations. I admit I teeter on the line between wishing and...oh, coveting. Envying.
For a couple of years I've been watching a farmhouse for sale in a favorite corner of Vermont. It's not a cabin but it's got space and poTENtial, my friends! Yes, there is the reality about probably not being able to afford a whole other mortgage. Pshaw. Details. And the fact that it's in pretty bad shape and would need tons of work. Perfect, I say!
many fireplaces
views of the Green Mountains
and a barn (the better to hold parties with, my dear)
the price tag (a low-for-here $245,000) tells me there's much work to do
but think of the before-and-after photos!
and can't you just see the kids tubing down the creek?
My heart sank today when I did my weekly check of the property and saw someone has made a deposit. Shoot. I hate it when my imaginary future is taken away from me. Keep your fingers crossed for somebody's cold feet...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Reader Comments (10)
I am always looking at property in the WHite Mnt. I too grew up going to "the cabin" every summer. Playin' in the creek, river, dirt-loved it. I want that for my kids. A second mortgage is worth all the memories. Sorry for your loss-maybe it will fall through. PS thanks for your example thoughts! GO RED SOX!
Like you, I was lucky enough to grow up with a cabin in my life. My family had a cabin on a river about an hour north of where we lived. We went there all the time. I was a little surprised in college to realized that most people didn't have cabins. Luckier still, my sister bought the cabin and so it is still in the family, although now that I live in California I don't get to spend as much time there as I like.
I am so grateful that we had that cabin while I was growing up. I hope some day you and I both will get to have cabins of our own. It is a wonderful thing.
That really is lovely and has a lot of potential...maybe it's your husband who has a secret deposit on the place?
I like Allysha's optimism. That does look so idyllic. I would love a place like that. We dream about getting a little place on the Oregon coast. Darn that minor detail of not being able to afford it.
Nathan grew up with a place in Island Park just outside of Yellowstone. We still go there every summer for reunions. Its so nice.
Wow! Think of the history this place has hidden in the walls. I love it! Sorry it has been snatched up. Just send your husband on Deal or No Deal, win a loot and then you can buy it. ;)
Amen on the dream.
I yearn for that too.
Who cares about a college education for the kids? (We'll just pick our favorite one and they'll get to go. The rest of us will be working on and playing in our fantasy cabin nestled in the woods next to the bubbling creek.)
sigh,
I miss Wildwood....
I think you should buy it - or one just like it, since it's sadly gone by now. It looks idyllic. And we promise to show up once in a while to help you break the place in.
Oh Annie it looks lovely. Several of your past posts have indulged my yearning to give my idyllic childhood to my own children--the barn, some cows, chasing chickens, digging in dirt, and yes, tubing down creeks (or canals in my case). It's a perfect dream--here's to making it reality.
Dream on, sweetie. It is what keeps my wheels turning. The pursuit of the dream or notion alone is quite fun. I agree that it is a gem. So are you, Ma
Annie, what a beautiful post! I grew up going to "the creek." That's what we called our cabin. I haven't been in YEARS. My cousins and I were able to get together recently (after years as well.) and we were all pining for our cabin days.
I hope your dreams come true. Keep wishing on stars. I'm a believer!
P.S. I'm excited to meet you at Blogapalooza. And I'm adding you to my bloglines. Your writing is intoxicating. Never stop.