Only 79 Steps

Posted on by Gary Fultz

I stepped it off. 79 steps from the end of the wheelchair ramp, at the end of our house, to the oak block steps leading to the little rustic cabin in the woods. The two spaces are worlds away. It’s a different universe in the woods than where our house sits in the open spacious yard. One represents the hustle and bustle of daily life while the other a “getaway” to peace. Is it that easy?

So far, all who have stayed there quickly mention the word “Peaceful”

Built from mostly left over and donated materials, the largest expense has been running electricity to it and my personal labor. I used lumber from piles by my brothers sawmill, left-over windows and decking material from other building projects, donated second hand flooring and a menagerie of nails and screws to build quite a solid cabin. I believe it’s “bear proof” and “insect proof” unless the door is left open. I doubt that a medium size tree would break the 2×10 oak rafters falling in a storm. It’s quite solid.

Notice I used the word “rustic”. Aside from the setting, it has no running water and it has some features to make it feel rustic. Birch trim with the bark still on is rustic to me. Ironwood trees for posts on the deck. rough cut siding with live edge on the exterior. 10 species of wood make up the interior. Oh, you caught the “no running water”; ah, there are pictures and bowls in the bathroom and kitchen and jugs of water for all your needs. A hot pot quickly makes hot water and a propane gas stove and oven is handy for cooking. An under counter refrigerator with freezer helps as well as a ceiling fan for moving air nicely for one’s comfort. I know, I know, I am borderline on the rustic claim…right? Click to enlarge

The cabin was built for my wife and I for some “getaway time” in 24/7 caregiving. It’s also a writers cabin and personal retreat cabin. Friends and family are welcome. I do have quite a few bloggers I follow that I would consider “friends”. This is to be shared. How can one have such a place of peace and not share?

I want to give a special thanks to Alicia of “For His Purpose” blog She contacted me and offered to put a verse on the wall with her cricket. When someone gets out of bed in the morning, they are greeted with this verse above the window…thanks Alicia

This brings me back to that tricky thing called “Peace”. If peace could be found in a place, this little cabin would be the ticket. World peace is a stones throw away. 79 steps to world peace?? It’s peaceful here. But, no. The kind of peace that lasts is only given by God and put inside of us as he resides to exude his peace to the rest of the world around us. The kind of peace that withstands life’s storms ripping up the terrain around us and falling trees our direction. The kind of peace I saw in both my parents eyes as we said our goodbyes. The kind of peace uttered “it is finished” and offered freely as an undeserved gift to anyone who would believe in Jesus. Way beyond world peace found in the smallest of spaces…my heart.

These are my thoughts as I built this small 12×16 little cabin in the woods….It’s peaceful here. It’s OK to ask if you come this way

If you have not seen My other blog and some more pictures, check out “Outside”

Gary

Oh, the bathroom looks like this…Yep, small but nice.

now it has a 16″ bowl and big picture

46 thoughts on “Only 79 Steps”

      1. I think you are close David, My steps are a little longer than my wife’s. She reminded me of that when I told her. I have some small details on the outside. Calking and that kind of thing.
        A very fun and rewarding project

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  7. I spent a few weeks in St. Anne, IL as a camp counselor at a friend’s camp. Lots of woods. She told me how much she enjoyed the walks and quiet time out there, even at night. I couldn’t fathom it. 😲 She was raised there. She’s also a photographer.

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    1. Most people unfamiliar with the woods have a great time if they are with a friend who knows the woods, sounds, dangers and have an awareness about them. It is wild country in any woods with some size enough to get lost.

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    1. I had wood available. I figured it fit, being in the woods. Surrounding the cabin is balsams, spruce, ash, oaks, elm, maple, pines, birch and ironwoods. I made sure all these species are in the cabin plus some more species. A little OCD?? My brother and I made the siding on his mill with fallen trees and used high line poles. The bathroom counter is an odd shaped ash slab (live edge).
      A fun project. I had to keep in mind “rustic, Gary, Rustic”

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  9. This is great, Gary. There must be a massive level of satisfaction in having completed such a worthy project. Really good. You thought of pretty much everything. I like the style and solidness. Inspired work! Well built to last and assist in making great memories for y’all and many others. Have fun.

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    1. Thanks RJ
      I know it will outlast our house by a long ways. I can make the deck overhang screened in if the mosquitoes and flies bother too much. It might be worth it. I could not help but notice the parallels in finding a peace in nature and finding Gods peace. On a much larger scale it makes me wonder how many parallels over the years Noah found in his made for one voyage/storm ship building.

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  10. Reminds me of the time when I was living in a “bothy” on the Isle of Iona in Scotland. Only that my bothy was much smaller and didn’t have the luxury of a bathroom and I had to go to the main house no matter the time or the (Scottish) weather….. very happy for you Gary, your hideout looks amazing and very peaceful indeed!!!
    And you built it all with your own hands – proud of you broski🫶😁👍🏻

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  11. Thanks Eva, I’m you can relate to having a a nearby “hide out”, The grand kids sure like it, although one of them got a little lost in the woods going there at night. She took the wrong trail and explored the woods with her cell phone flashlight while the owls talked about her loudly. I reassured her they were trying to figure out how to take her.

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  13. Thank you for taking us on those 79 steps to see the peaceful place your hands have built. I appreciate the craftsman’s touch that has given the cabin its rustic appeal. Your post got me thinking Gary. I’m blessed to live out in the country where I need only to step out the door to take in the beauty of creation and I live with Jesus thus His peace is but a prayer width away. And yet, how often in a days’ time do I fail to stop and take that step into peace. He’s definitely pointing something out to me through your cabin.

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  14. Kind words Beth. The cabin has pointed many things out to me through the making. You know the blessings, how peace can be a place but it is temporary, even in the best of creation on the best day. Our blessing is that peaceful place can be quite a stepping stone to the peace Christ gives in the worst place and the worst of times. It’s the real deal. I want to know how thin a prayer width is…love the expression.

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  15. Pingback: Outside – garyfultz

    1. Glad you like it Mandy. Should you ever vacation in Northern mn…there’s a place in the woods to stay. I set up a trail cam to see what wildlife goes close by…so far the deer like that area a lot.

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    1. Ha, Ted…you realize part of this is your fault. I needed a quiet space to write. Maybe I will finally get my book of insights put together you have hounded me about.
      Thanks for the push.

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  18. Wow! This is such a wonderful project. May all who stay in your Lil’ cabin find the lasting peace you talk about as well as time to refresh and recharge while enjoying a mini retreat in the woods. God bless you and the work of your hands.

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    1. Thankyou Manette. It is very satisfying to have an idea, begin a project and see it through to where the origional vision is seen. I have often thought of the difference between a dream (someday) and vision (this is what could be accomplished). From clearing a small patch of woods to drive the first stake in the ground to run 4 level string lines, to putting final touches on a fully liveable cabin in the woods
      Dream accomplished (we have a cabin). Vision just starting (all the ministering that can happen beyond our lifetime in a small space).

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  19. You did such a great job with the cabin! It is wonderful! You are right…only God can give us real and lasting peace. But, your cabin is good place to contemplate that verse on the plaque, and many more.

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  20. I agree Linda. The cabin is a wayside rest on the road to lasting peace. Your harbors and beaches are as well. The cabin is camper friendly, which is good in bad weather.

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  22. I believe you are right Nancy. Just stepping inside for the first time many people remark “wow, It’s so peaceful”
    I probably need to have a “comment notebook” in a flip down shelf on the wall for guests recording memories and thoughts.

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  23. The cabin is just right!! Love how it turned out! And I’m honored to have the little wooden sign hanging up.

    I’m thankful for the truth that peace is found in our hearts through a healthy relationship with God because that means, cabin or no cabin, we can still experience true, lasting peace!!❤️

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    1. Thankyou CF. We are enjoying the cabin as are our guests that come visiting. I’m beginning to think it’s something that will keep on giving for years to come. Way more than I could have anticipated… That’s quite a blessing all around.

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