Author: HooHaAdventures

Fall is our favorite time of the year. The crisp air, vibrant foliage and shorter days make this season one that reminds us to slow down, spend time with family, throw on a sweater and enjoy that coffee on the porch.

Some outdoor exploring was on the immediate agenda.

After all the fun, it was time to get to work. We restacked firewood, painted trim and programmed garage door opener.

We did have to run into Escanaba to Menards and witnessed the Supermoon.

We installed vinyl trim in upstairs bathroom and wired up the heated floor.

I also had to do some work, so put in a day and a half of computer work and remote meetings. In the meantime, the crew took care of business downstairs by installing the floors.

We took advantage of the beautiful weather to steal away for some leaf peeping and rock hunting.

Speaking of rings, we had the pleasure of attending the wedding reception of a wonderful couple. While the day started with rain, the sun came out just in time to greet the bride and groom with perfect weather!

We wrapped things up by securing the trim and kick plates to the kitchen cabinets.

We had a doe and her fawn visit for a spell.

We ventured out Saturday evening for a dinner out as well.

While we waited, we were greeted with the most gorgeous sunset of the week!

All that was left to do was to pack, clean and winterize the cabin.

And just like that… another year in the books. Technically. There may be a final trip later this fall, but, if life gets busy, things are wrapped up and wound down. It was especially wonderful to share this trip with family. Until the next time, hooha! J+M

It’s been an eventful month! Wedding showers, birthday parties, an uplifting leadership conference and a weeknight Red Clay Strays concert started the month on a high note.

After all the fun, M had some work trips planned. With only a couple days between returning from the concert, the truck decided to create more issues. At over 260000 miles, it was starting to ask more than it was willing to give. As we discussed next steps, we saw a post for a used truck with under 110000 miles, AND 4-wheel drive. For fun, we ran over to look at it, and before the end of the night, it was ours.

Excited about the future, M left for Chicago, then DC for 9 days. Work was very productive and it was great to connect with colleagues in person!

Following the work trip, we planned to head to the cabin the next day. J picked me up from the airport with new-to-us truck in limp mode! So, we headed straight to the auto parts store to rectify the situation. First we changed the transmission speed sensors which cleared the code! No harm, no foul! We headed out as planned the following morning.

Don’t celebrate too early, they say! Within an hour of leaving, the lights came back on and we were back in limp mode with a full trailer. A couple stops at auto parts stores, a new battery , and a computer scan told a new story. We had to order air injector pumps from a store near home. So we limped our way home, ordered the parts, and I worked the rest of the day from home.

So, 28 hours after the first departure, we were off again. We are very blessed that J can do many things! And just like that…

With a later than planned start, we had to delay picking up the Nifty Fifty to begin the chimney project.

While having the Nifty Fifty, we called a friend to help seal the ridge cap and added end trim to the sides of both peaks.

The upstairs shower needed glass.

We needed to create a shoe storage system, so we brought J’s grandfather’s canning cabinets and gave them a new life.

Our dryer vent cover needed changed. We found a magnetic dryer vent that allowed us to move the dryer back about an inch or two. We also added a shelf for supplies.

We took advantage of some great weather the first week to paint the garage door and exterior doors.

We had the opportunity to ride our bikes a few times over the trip.

On our way to getting groceries after mountain biking at Valley Spur, and meeting our neighbors at an association meeting, we somehow managed to roll over a nail and got a flat tire. Two cans of fix a flat and a patch stabilized us for the rest of the trip.

The biggest accomplishment of this trip was completing all the window boxes and trim. Three days, 17 window/pairs trimmed, filled, sanded and caulked.

The last two days dumped a bunch of rain on the area. While I worked remotely at my job, J put the final touches on a few projects, organized tools, and took the trash to the dumpster. A 30 min trip turned into a few hours as he was met by a downed tree and had to chainsaw, and use a tow rope to remove completely from the road.

And to top it off, the passenger side door decided to stop opening leading me to climb across the front seat to enter and exit via the driver’s side until we can fully assess the situation when we return home.

This trip was productive, enjoyable AND mentally taxing. Choosing to focus on our blessings and less on the problems. Looking at lemons and making lemonade. My remote job allowed us to be flexible with our schedule. J’s skills allowed truck problems to be fixable rather than a long trip to the shop. The 4 wheel drive allowed us to get the Nifty Fifty up the hill easily, and to later tow the large tree out of the road. And through it all, we focused on our love and our why. Hooha! J+ M

Our list of tasks is becoming more specific with each trip. This time we wanted to balance some work with some fun. We brought up an ottoman/ bench for flexible seating/storage options.

We headed into Munising for the fireworks on the 4th for a bit of fun.

Time for work! We got busy setting backsplash tile.

We added a backsplash to the coffee bar as well.

We had a visitor stop by to tell us to slow down and have some fun.

So, we took a 5 mile bike ride behind our property.

We also said goodbye to the camper this trip. It matched with a new family and is headed for new adventures.

While I worked, J continued to work on the cabin, adding water softener, and installing doors, staying (mostly) quiet during my zoom meetings.

We had another visitor stop by each day on his rounds. This trip, he was just cruising through. On another trip, he was carrying a large rodent in his mouth.

We took 2 additional bike rides this week. One, out our back door for an 8 mile loop through woods and gravel roads. The second was a 12+ mile ride through Bruno’s Run, which is 3-4 miles to the trailhead, but parts of the trail can be accessed via our back woods trails. It’s been a few years since we have ridden Bruno’s. The trails are so impressive with flowy, bench cut sections replacing previously impossible hills, making for a very fun and challenging ride.

We took advantage of the rainy weather Saturday to install the garage door.

We finished the long day with a delicious steak dinner, corn on the cob and salad. While I headed to bed, J spent a little more time installing the garage door opener.

We really tried to balance work and play this trip. As we see progress with the cabin, it makes us want to keep going with the work. When we returned to Bruno’s Run, a ride we have done so many times in the past, and find ourselves very challenged, it makes us hungry to keep getting better. Life is a balance. There’s a lot of lessons to be learned when you slow down, be in nature, spend time with those you love, and intentionally be present in everything you do. Hooha! J+ M

We are so blessed. In 2025, I got a new remote position that has allowed us to travel to the cabin more often. In previous years, I would need to meter my time and PTO, staying home while J would be more flexible to work on the cabin since he is self employed. Now, I can work from wherever I am, and the work is so fulfilling, I couldn’t be happier. We’ve been dreaming this dream since we bought the land almost 10 years ago. It’s so exciting to see it come to fruition.

This trip was a shorter one, with the primary purpose to install countertops. When we arrived, we put together a sofa so there would be more comfortable seating.

Next order of business: upstairs bathroom. We ticked off the jobs: wall tile, heated flooring, vinyl plank.

The next challenge involved setting and plumbing the freestanding tub.

Next, we installed the vanity, mirror, lights and toilet.

One evening around dinner time, I interrupted a deer munching in the back yard. I stood in the window as it stared back.

Between the remote work and zoom meetings, the countertop installers arrived. We used Schwalbach Kitchens, and they were phenomenal! The quartz color is Mackinaw. The laser leveling and precise measurements were taken a few weeks before, so the installation was flawless!

As we watched the sun set on another successful visit, we counted our blessings. To see how far we’ve come, how much we have learned, and the possibilities that await us. Hooha! J+M

Seven years after digging the hole in the ground for the foundation, we finally spent the first night physically in the cabin. Over Memorial Day weekend, we traveled to the cabin to work on projects to help us begin the next phase: moving out of the RV and into the cabin.

We had previously purchased some sturdy furniture from an estate sale in the area. This trip, we worked on painting the furniture as well.

It took a few days to sand, prime, paint the furniture for the bedroom. We are happy with the results!

We weren’t the only ones moving in. A robin and her three nestlings took residence in the porch rafters, which provided daily entertainment while we watched them grow.

Speaks of food, J had to assemble his birthday gift.

We also worked on tile projects. First the hearth for the wood stove.

We also added the upper crown/trim to the kitchen cabinets.

We started the upstairs bathroom, beginning with installing the shower pan, followed by setting the tile.

We also painted and installed baseboard trim and door on the primary bedroom.

While we were busy working, the baby robins continued to grow. There were three, and by the end of the week, only one was left, not quite ready to leave the nest.

Not long after this picture was taken, the last baby left the nest, moving on to the next phase of its life. While J was tiling, I spent time emptying and cleaning the camper so it can be ready for the next family to move into.

Another first for the cabin was installing internet. It took several days between digging trench, laying down fiber and hooking up. Quest and Nick from Jamadots were so amazing and professional!!

Moving in and moving forward. Just like the robins’ nest, our camper gave us a temporary home while the cabin took shape. Now, is a new chapter. Next trip we continue tiling, get countertops installed, possibly start flooring the upstairs bathroom. We have a lot of trips planned this year, and each trip gets us closer to the finish line. Hooha! J+M

It’s been six long months since we were at the cabin. The last visit was at the end of October. The leaves were on their last breath, and J & K went up to install a washer and dryer and to winterize until spring.

With the camper covered and water lines empty, it was time to say goodbye until spring…. Or, Midwest spring, which can look like winter.

The day before we headed up, there was a thaw, but on the night before we were to leave, they hot 7 inches of snow. Luckily, we have a neighbor who plowed our drive so we could get up the hill with all the kitchen cabinets in tow.

Kitchen cabinets were installed next.

Now the appliances! The stove needed picked up in Escanaba, and the stove and fridge were being delivered. One problem…. It snowed AGAIN and needed to purchase a snowblower to clear the driveway. The neighbor was away making maple syrup and we were left to our own devices.

Not only did J&K spend a snowy Midwest Spring weekend installing the kitchen, all the appliances AND enjoy a delicious dinner cooked inside the cabin, why not install all the floors upstairs??

Over six days, so much was done! We can stay in the cabin next visit, and the timing couldn’t be better! The tarp blew up over the bedroom and some water leaked on the bed. The grill gave up the ghost. And the small TV in the RV with 3 local channels died while watching Jackie Chan flicks.

This trip demonstrated that winter can last over six months in the UP, so building a cozy cabin so we can enjoy the snowflakes from inside is definitely part of the plan. There will be lots of time for outdoor activities next year! Next visit is upstairs bathroom, tile hearth, and painting some furniture to use in the bedroom so we can stay a little longer. Until next time, hooha!!

One of the best times to visit the cabin is during the early days of fall. The crisp air and ever-changing colors make each day infinitely enjoyable. We started out early in the morning as the mist sat low on the fields.

We brought extra hands and paws to help get the work done.

Right before we left, we had heard there was a solar flare increasing the chances of seeing the northern lights. After arriving, we set out to Sandpoint Beach to explore.

Morning came highlighting the beautiful colors around the cabin, including the red maple leaves that inspired the cabin color.

We got right to work, painting, priming and muddling.

Evening came and we decided to check for northern lights at the end of our road.

Many hands make light work! We continued painting, but also took the opportunity to cut down some of the smaller trees around the property.

We enjoyed the beautiful fall days and ventured over to do some leaf peeping and chase waterfalls.

Later that evening, the chances of seeing the Aurora again were very high, so we headed again to Sandpoint Beach. While it was visible to a lot of people on this day, what we saw was truly magical! You could see the colors with your eyes, and they were enhanced by the long exposure using our iPhones. Auroras symbolize renewal, transformation, appreciation of the present moment, hope for the future. It has always been a bucket list item for me, and it truly surpassed my expectations.

Morning brought more work.

We had a wedding to attend in the area. Such a perfect fall day for a celebration!!

The fall colors got more vibrant with each passing day!

Another successful week! With 10 gallons of primer, 10 gallons of paint empty, it was time to pack up and return home. We got the house mostly covered with two coats, all ceilings done, outlets and switches covered. Since the beginning of the season, we started with passing inspections, to a place that is starting to look like a home. One more short trip for J to winterize, and then goodbye until Spring. It’s been a wonderful and productive year!! Hooha!! J+M

We headed up to the cabin once again to continue the drywall and get started on a functional bathroom. We arrived in the evening just in time for some music at Midway.

Sunday morning, we got to work, and started mudding and sanding.

In the midst of all this, my book “Gen X Menopause” was published! Here’s a short message from our sponsor…

Back to our regular programming…more muddling and sanding!

Stitch wasn’t much help, but he was cute.

We did take a couple of breaks from work to enjoy the area. One day we drove the Can Am to Au Train Falls.

We got other jobs completed on this trip. We installed attic stairs, started priming, and got started on the downstairs bathroom.

For the bathroom tiles, we chose a porcelain Italian Villa Romano large format tile. This will also get installed upstairs in the bathroom and for the wood stove hearth on the main floor.

And just like that, all tiled!

With these trips, we frequent Menards quite often. When we were at the Escanaba Menards buying the tile, the sales associate in flooring had to direct us to Marquette to buy the remaining boxes of luxury vinyl plank for the bathroom floors, since they were out. He recommended a cajun restaurant in Marquette for us to try: Lagniappe Cajun Restaurant.

Back to the bathroom…

Celebrated my birthday while we were here. Can Am ride to Scott Falls and Lake Superior before dinner at the Brownstone Inn and dessert at Tracey’s!

At the end of two weeks, the whole house is mudded and taped, the main floor and main bedroom are sanded, primed, ready to paint. The spare room is sanded, primed with a few touch ups left. The upstairs bathroom has started to be primed, but still has work left on ceiling. The stairwell is waiting for a second coat of mud.

Overall, we are happy with our progress. We enjoyed several long, hot showers and are starting to really see the finish line.

Next time, we will plan on painting and finishing the mudding, sanding and priming. We started this year passing inspections and here we are looking like a house! Vision turning to reality! Hooha! J + M

With the inspections and insulation behind us, our focus is on putting up drywall. A few weeks ago, J headed up with a couple of strong, young men to get the ceilings installed and a head start on hanging the walls.

That trip successfully installed all the ceilings and walls on the main floor and both bathrooms in three days of hard labor. For this trip, our crew comprised of just me, J and, of course, Stitch.

To break up the work, we brought up the CanAm Spyder for some touring time.

The work was hard! Kudos to those who do drywall for a living!! Over the course of a week, we managed to hang the rest of the drywall, mud, tape and get corners in.

In between work, we did manage to have a little fun. Trips to Menards in Escanaba always involves a trip to Dairy Flo in Rapid River.

We also had a few outings on the Spyder. The first was an evening ride to Munising and Bay Furnace to see the sunset.

The second trip was a Friday morning ride and hike to Chapel Falls.

Morning coffee on the porch started every morning.

And an obligatory sand roll.

The work was hard, but the end result satisfying!

The week consisted of cutting and hanging 27 8-foot drywall sheets and 14 10-foot sheets. Most needed to be carried upstairs. We went through 4 large buckets of mud and several rolls of paper tape and corner tape. We were up and down ladders all week with sore muscles and joints to show for it! The next trip will involve 2nd coats, finishing mudding and taping the stairwell, and possibly starting the downstairs bathroom. Things are taking shape!! Hooha! J+M

After the successful inspections from the last trip, we were ready to tackle the insulation. Before the insulation contractor could come, we needed to prep the place, remove all items from outside walls, and move any bigger items to the center of the house. We also had a small list of finishes we needed to complete before insulation could begin.

With all areas prepped, we were ready for the contractors. We had decided to go with Enviro-Foam out of Escanaba to install the closed cell spray foam throughout the house and garage.

The crew got started right away on Tuesday, starting with the garage. The entire process took 4.5 days. It is clearly hard work requiring skill and precision. The crew of Travis, Nathaniel and Red were extraordinarily talented. They were hard working, professional and cleaned everything as they went. They are very proud of their work, and it shows. Highly recommend!!!

While they worked inside, we put up awnings over the garage and back doors. J had an Amish welder make the frames from his design and specifications. They turned out great!

On Thursday, we had the tree crew over to take down 5 trees that had died or were damaged.

On Friday, our drywall order was delivered. Bonus: Red and Nathaniel helped us carry all the materials into the garage!

We did have a little time for relaxation on this trip.

After Enviro-Foam left, we got the OSB on the garage walls, insulated the bathroom walls, installed the pocket door to the bathroom, and got all the tools organized again.

We had an opportunity to celebrate Stitch’s birthday with a pup cup from Midway. J also saved 4 turtles from impeding death.

We closed up camp and headed home following a week of beautiful weather and so much progress made. We honestly could have stayed longer and kept working, but our other jobs and family need us back. Stay tuned for Drywall Summer! Hooha! J+ M