Nothing better than having good friends

This week I am in the process of planning my last visit of the season to the cabin. I have to fit it in between a few other prior commitments. I always look forward to visiting the cabin and this is no exception, even if it is just for a couple of days to bring home the mower and a couple of items that I had forgotten from the previous trip.

 

Closing the cabin for the winter is always a semi-sweet event, but looking forward to the first spring visit makes the winter go by a little quicker.

 

The leaves of fall are now turning in our area of the state. Taking a drive in the country is always a rewarding experience at this time of year. There is, to me, nothing more invigorating than driving on a country road while enjoying the fresh air and the beauty of the countryside.

 

This is the first time in a while that, while at the cabin, I didn’t take a trip down this little road north of our cabin that is known for its fall beauty. I have driven this at least once each fall and will make a plan to do it again while I am up there. It is a narrow road that has trees aligned along both sides and a wonderful display of colors. In the last few years, I have only met one car on this road. There are no cabins or homes along the way, so it is indeed nature untouched. There is a spot where you can park and hike back to a small lake hidden amongst the trees, tall grass and cattails.

 

My son Brian and his family discovered this place a few years ago when they were at the cabin. They all like to hike and explore new places. I used to be that guy, but I am now not as mobile as the younger me. As I have aged, I no longer try to push myself beyond my comfort zone, which is not always a good thing.

 

A few weeks ago, my friend Mike and I got together with another of our old Navy buddies, Larry, at his place in Andover. We had a great time catching up and reminiscing about our Navy days and also, our times after. We were all in each other’s wedding, so there is a special bond that has kept us close friends even after all these years.

 

Hopefully, we will get together at our cabin for a few days next fall. We did that two years in a row and have since visited Mike’s home in Outing and now Larrys’s in Andover, so I guess it’s time to rough it: at my cabin. We always have plenty of laughs and Mike always brings plenty of pictures; he is the organized one of us three.

 

There is nothing better than having good friends, and, although we led our lives apart for many years, when we connected again it seemed like only yesterday that we were last together.

 

Until next time: Just a reminder that in our part of the state burning permits are required and there is a burning ban in a large part of northern Minnesota at this time. Dry conditions throughout the state make ideal conditions for wildfires. Please be aware of your surroundings and avoid outside burning.

 

Please show your support for our troops who are now deployed. These service men and women are making that sacrifice, so that we may have the many freedoms that we enjoy today.