This is the time of the year when I start thinking about the next season — which just happens to be spring. When we first built our cabin in northern Minnesota it was nothing more than a shell, and for the first couple of years we heated it with a kerosene heater. With no insulation and basically just a roof and walls it could get pretty cold in early spring and late fall. After we had the initial structure enclosed I started a sort of short-lived tradition with my two oldest grandsons, Trevor and Taylor. We would head north for a weekend in April to check it out and make sure the cabin survived the winter without any major weather damage.

The first time that we headed north that early in the season we had to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags. We were huddled around that kerosene heater like it was our closest friend. It was pretty crude at the time, but we managed to get some sleep and were none the worse for it the next day. The first time we did this it snowed overnight, and in a way that made it seem like a real adventure. I suppose the newness of the cabin and the excitement of what would lie ahead in the years to come just added to it.

We did this for two years in a row before deciding that just going there for an overnight adventure was a lot of driving for the short amount of time that we had to spend there. I was glad that the boys were with me on both occasions because there were downed trees that had to be cut and removed just to get to the cabin. One of the great things about those boys is that they aren’t afraid of work, and we had the trees cleared away in no time. When we first cleared the land for the cabin site they were there working hauling logs and brush. I do miss those April trips because it was special spending time with my two oldest grandsons.

We have since insulated the cabin, put in a loft and added a wood stove, which made it seem even more like a cabin. It is still a work in progress, but each year we do a little more and each year I seem to enjoy spending more time there. There is a feeling of self satisfaction that one gets from knowing that our family cleared the land and built this little cabin in the woods. Both of my sons, Brian and Brad, and their families have had a hand in building the cabin, and that is what makes it something very special.

We have been spending some time there in late October for the last few years, and although you can have some pretty bad weather, it can also be one of the best times of year. No bugs is a good thing and having a lake to yourself when doing a little fall fishing is a feeling that is hard to describe. To me there is no better feeling than going to one of the small area lakes and fishing with little chance of seeing another fisherman. It’s almost like having your own private lake. Brian and the boys also like to hunt so fall is a perfect time for them and whenever possible Brian and our daughter-in-law, Kim, will bring their horses to ride the many trails in the area.

I am anticipating going to the cabin in early spring and spending a few days.

This year for Christmas Brian and his family gave me a squirrel-proof bird feeder and plenty of feed for them. One of the things that I really do enjoy is watching all the birds that come to the feeder. We also have some resident chipmunks that work their way into the mix.

I had an old feeder that I’ve rebuilt many times over, and it is now on its last leg. This fall I had to resort to duck tape just to piece it back together. With the new feeder I will finally be able to retire the old one. It did serve its purpose, and it had to survive red squirrels, chipmunks raccoons and there was one time when a bear was suspected of tearing down and almost totally destroying that old feeder. I had thought about buying another feeder, but I knew that wouldn’t happen until this one was totally wrecked or some nice family members gave me a new one.

It’s the anticipation of the months ahead that make the long winter days a little more bearable. I have yet to venture north to the cabin in the winter, but I hope to give it a try this next year, I think that it would be a great experience although our road doesn’t get plowed in the winter so getting back there would be a challenge but that would be part of the fun.

The end of the ice fishing season is almost upon us, and Feb. 27th is the end of the game fish season in this part of the state. The season for panfish and perch is continuous so there is still an opportunity for fishing. Fish houses must be removed by March 21 in the northern part of the state and by March 7 in the south.

Dates of removal are determined by an east west line formed by U.S. Hwy. 10, east along Hwy. 34 to Minnesota Hwy. 200, east along Hwy. 200 to U.S. Hwy. 2, and east along Hwy. 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

• If shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted, and the structure and contents may be confiscated and removed, or destroyed by a conservation officer.

• After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended.

• Storing or leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.

Until next time, watch out for thin ice, play safe and above all get outside and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors!

Remember our brothers and sisters who are proudly serving our country so that we can keep enjoying the freedoms that we have today.