Closing weekend....

Us cabin owners call it, "Closing" It's a bitter-sweet time of year.

It's a time for preparing the cabin for the winter months.

This year has been a bit confusing, as the weather has not cooperated! 

Minnesota has basically gone from summer straight to winter. 

October has been cold and windy with limited sunshine.

A lot of the state had a surprise snowfall this last weekend, Sunday into Monday.

We woke up Monday morning to a dusting of snow on Chippewa Loop.

We chose this past weekend to close up before the ground freezes, our cabin is not winterized so the water lines have to be blown-out before the freeze. Low temperatures this last week have been running below freezing which puts us a little on edge.

We showed up on Friday and within the hour our friend John was already down

 to help get the tarp off the boat lift... 

then a little rest and "guy talk".

Our boys would join us Saturday to help get the dock and boat-lift up on dry land

Getting a head start

Guess who else came along, 

Someone had to keep Grandma company

She's a  joy!

The 3 of them had the task finished in about 2 1/2 hours

It was about 44 degrees at the warmest...

Good thing for insulated chest waders!

The evening was spent playing games and laughing.... A lot!!!

So thankful for these two and their willingness to help with the

 opening and closing of the cabin every year.

It was a short stay... just an overnight and off they went.

We are grateful~thankful~blessed!

Monday morning I went on a little drive

I love the rows and rows of pine trees up north, the snow covered road was a bonus

 The sun shining through the pines leaving shadows on the snow covered grass

I woke up this morning and watched the sun rise from my chair

 So good to see the sun after all the cloudy days in October.

 Last minute touches as we get ready to head back to Rochester

Good night Cabin, see you in the spring.

* This year we decided to let someone else blow-out the water lines and shut the power off.

 (A plumbing and Heating company in town). It kind of lets us have the freedom to leave when we want, we do our part and they do the rest after we go home.