The View from the Water

by marjasisu, posted in Camp Many Moons

The most special thing about the Cabin at Many Moons is that it’s on the water. (Actually, 75 feet from the water’s edge, as required.) Most recent posts have focused on the house itself as we complete a 15-month DIY building process. Here, reminders why I chose this place for the (possibly) biggest challenge of my life…

The view approaching from the north during a recent paddle on Huron Bay. It was my building partner Jeff who steered me to this land. Although I spent time on this bay as a kid, I didn’t see the possibilities that he did because the waterfront wasn’t visible from land. (Until we cleared it.)
Getting closer, the white trailer (which really is “on” the water) is the first thing that comes into view. You can also see the tiny camouflage-painted trailer on the left. My 300 feet of waterfront extends from just off the left side of this photo to about the middle of it.
Closer yet, you can clearly see the dock, and the house is just coming into view to the right of the trailer. We plan to clear out some of those trees that block the house, but not many. I’m looking for a balance of privacy and view. (The trailer will get moved.)
Now the canoe is pointed right at the house. The new ladder on the end of the dock looks too metallic for my tastes but I’m getting a lot of use out of it, so…
The house looks pretty close to the water, doesn’t it? I once thought that 75 feet was too far away. Not any more. The dock is on wheels and is removed for the winter, when the bay freezes. We’ll have an unobstructed view then as deer prance by on the ice.
And, the view from the front porch. Like I said, close enough to the water!
Detail work continues, such as staining the pine baseboard that we bought a week or so ago, plus dowels for hanging laundry. I’ve had family visiting, so work is taking a back seat for awhile, but this was a quick job. I enjoy staining now, which is funny when I remember how it stressed me out at first. (Sand, then condition, then wait, then stain, then wait, then stain again, then coat with polyurethane. Jeff always had it down, but it’s now a routine for me too.)
The full moons have left us for awhile but I was graced with this at 2:30 a.m. recently. I set my alarm to check for the Northern Lights. They didn’t appear, but, this…! Sometimes you get a different gift than expected. Life is good at Huron Bay in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I hope it is where you are.
Finally, the view from the water without the white trailer in the way…

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