The Cabin

Last weekend we decided to go up to our cabin.  We hadn't been there since October, didn't go up this last winter during the snow season.

We decided to send the boys to the 'spa' for the weekend instead of asking someone to come in and feed them.  Although they're sweet and gentle, their size can be intimidating.  They joined Champ at his barn for the weekend.

We caused quite a stir when we arrived at the barn with our big Belgians.  But we soon had them settled down and off we went.  My husband tied the lead rope to the gate just in case they decided to follow us.

It was a relaxing drive up Snoqualmie Pass to our cabin.  As each mile passed I found myself remembering drives taken throughout the many years.  As a child, teenager, and adult.  Our engagement nearby at our still favorite restaurant, Mama Vallone's (25 years ago next month)!  Going up there before the birth of our daughter and when she was a brand new baby, a child, teenager and now college student.  And my all time memory - the first time I hauled up our horses in our wimpy F-150/4-speed. 

Lots of good laughs and smiles on the way up the Pass!  It was good to see the cabin and know that it had gotten through another winter. 

We found ourselves the only people around.  After being on the highway for an hour, the silence was welcoming.  We could hear the wind sighing through the trees, the birds and chipmunks chirping around us.  Both of us (and Hank, our dog) took big sighs, breathing in the scented pine trees and clean air.  These cabins were originally built to host those who worked in the Mill.  The tin on the roofs allow the snow to slide.

Up here it's still early spring and it looks kind of barren.  The view from our front door.  A great place to throw the ball for Hank, which I did over and over again.  Soon the cottonwoods will be full of leaves the grass will be emerald green.

Once we were unpacked and settled in, Hank found his bed in the living room too inviting and decided to take a snooze.  The red Coleman oil stove belonged to and was used by my Grandparents.

Our kitchen, with two stoves.  I'm thinking two stoves are one too many!







My sister-in-law arrived the next day.  She and her three dogs  joined Hank on the right for dinner.  I asked dogs if they'd like a T-R-E-A-T and this was their response.  Who says dogs can't spell?  Good Dogs!  All Four of them!!  Shortly thereafter, worn out from a day of exploring, they feel asleep in the living room.  Sleeping, snoring, dog bodies all over the place!  One could barely move.

On our last day we took a walk around "camp" to check it out. These train cars are used for overflow of cabin guests.






The Mill which had a spur off of the main train tracks. Lots of history here, lots of memories.

I don't know how many times all of us kids climbed on top of this green caboose and leaned left/right, getting it to rock.  Neither do I know how many kids were hired to paint it each year! 
I know my brother was one of them. 

Swaying up there we talked about where we were headed.  It would be neat for us to all climb up there today and find out where we all ended up.  The car in front, the "crummy", pulls the caboose. 


We checked out the corral to see what we needed to do to get it in shape so we can start bringing our horses up with us.  We found we're about ready to run our hot wire. Not much longer and they'll be coming with us! 

In the 1960's when I first came up here, horses were in this corral, used for the adult's week long trail rides.  In the early mornings, when my family was still asleep, I used to come down here and stand in the corral with all the wonderful horses and "talk" to them.

There were beautiful, majestic horses in this pasture with names such as Checkers, the huge Appaloosa; Princess the Golden Palomino; Corkey the Gorgeous Paint; Ted the Red Chestnut; Laddie the Blue Mustang; and Copper the Incredible Wonder Horse that all of us kids loved to death.  There were more, wish I could remember them all.  :(

The view from the corral shows the snow level is still pretty low, close to the cabins.  And as I write this today, in late April, the weather report says the snow level will drop to our cabin level tonight.  A little too early to bring up horses, I think.




Heading back to the cabin, we found my sister-in-law sitting out in the sun reading a book.  Hank and I joined her for a well-deserved, overdue, nice, long chat.   We sat there for hours until it was time for us to leave.  I found my nose sunburned when I got home and Hank?  Well, he was exhausted from running with his cousins and pretty much slept for two days!

It was good to get back up to the cabin, to a place I've loved with all my heart since I was a child.  My parents and little brother loved it up there.  Sometimes when I hear the wind sighing in the trees I can hear them laughing and I smile, remembering all the great times we shared together as a family.  Going up to the cabin is like coming home.

The wind in the trees sings a lovely memory

And the water in the creek sings along

But the best thing of all are the trees that are so tall...

That's how you sing the Cabin Mountain song

From the song, Cabin Mountain Song
Written by This Author :)
1978