Frederick County, Maryland Art Teacher and Photographer

Monday, September 25, 2023

The Little House in the Woods

The Little House in the Woods

We aren't quite sure what to call it yet, but I'm sure we will come up with something. 

On September 1, 2023 after many years of searching we settled on a hunting property which came with a bonus "dry cabin".  We only later learned that "dry" meant no plumbing.  The electricity was taken down last year which is really unfortunate. Our first order of business (other than prepping for deer season and cleaning out the cabin) is to have an excavator level out the driveway and discuss with the electric company if we can bury the electric line at the same time. 

Many people have been curious about our adventure, so here is a brief overview of the last month. 


Day 1: Closing day with our acquaintance from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, Brian Masemer (ReMax Realty in Martinsburg, WV).  We drove to the property that night just to soak it in.

Day 2: We shared the property with our younger son, Luke, for the first time.  It also happened to be my birthday.  We shoveled bird and mice poop for hours filling four large trays bags.

Day 3: Ryan and I stopped along the way to pick up two shop vacs from a woman for $10.  It was the best use of a ten dollar bill ever. We continued to clean out the cabin interior. 



The place was empty except for discarded lumber, an old wheelbarrow with a family of mice living in squalor, and lots of leaves, acorns and poo.

Luke and me after a long days work on our first clean out day. 

Day 4: Ryan's father wanted to see the place so we managed to squeeze in a visit on a busy weekend. Our property is about 1 hour and 45 minute drive from home. 
Eating the Best Burger in WV at Farmers Daughter in Capon Bridge.

Introducing Grandad to the place.
The door lock. 

Here are some images from our first visit to the property with our eldest son Liam.  He went with us on all the initial visits. 

Looking down the driveway facing NW.
Our first visit. 
Side door
Liam in the loft. 
All that trash in outside now.

Day 5: We ventured back to the cabin this past Saturday in the rain.  I am happy to report that it is indeed a "dry cabin" and there did not appear to be any rainwater leaks.