Shrewhaven gets a face lift

[Ron LaClair]

Got back last night from Shrew Haven, our hunting camp in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Thanks to the hard working crew of Tim, Eric, Greg, Ray, Ken and myself we gave the old cabin a new look. Here's what was accomplished in 3 days of hard work.

#1: New shutters for the windows.

#2: Railings on the front porch.

#3: An 8 X 24' deck on the back side of the cabin.

#4: A new back door coming out on the deck.

#5: Yard clean up and new fire pit.

Last year at this time we scraped the old tamarack logs down to the bare wood, put new caulk between the logs and a coat of sealer on the cabin.

Shrew Haven was built in 1936, the year I was born.

Before

 
   

After

   

The deck facing Armstrong Creek

 

 

   

Hunting camp is going to be even better this fall. Now if we just could get Cable TV...  

[vermonster13]

Did you get matching linens and window treatments?    :p

Seriously, very nice upgrades!

[Tim Fishell]

Looking good Ron.  Glad to see you putting that band of misfits to good work!!  

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Porch looks great...will make it seem a bit bigger too.

[Ron LaClair]

The new shutters are for keeping out the bears.    

I drew a bear permit for this fall so Red Bird and I will be back up there the 1st of October to hunt for deer and bear.      

 

[Jerry Jeffer]

Can't beat that. Nice job. Nothing like a great camp to hang out and have great times.

[Tim Fishell]

Congrats on the bear tag Ron!!  Good luck.  

[Ron LaClair]

If you don't believe me about the bears, check out this picture, on the right corner of the cabin, you can see a light colored spot. That's where a bear bit a chunk out of a log and also left claw marks on the side of the cabin. Marking his territory.

If things go according to plan he will soon be "inside" the cabin,...on the floor in the form of a rug.    



   

[hormoan]

Great looking camp, with decades of history and memorys! And with so many more to be made.    May the luck be with you and watching over you.

                Brent

[Shaun]

Very nice Ron. Shrew Haven looks like it will keep being a place to make memories for some time to come.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Great job on the cabin. Why cable Ron? try direcTV.

[Tim Fishell]

Man with good friends and a few bottles of Basil Hayden's who needs TV!!

[AnointedArcher]

Looking good Ron  

[Killdeer]

You just added the finishing touch! The sweetest thing, to me, is to have a dry spot under a tin roof, where I can sip my coffee and stare into the drifting mists of past, present and future hunts.

Tapping raindrops, the rattle of sleet, the deep-breathing hush of the snow, the roof creates a quiet little bubble in the wild that lets me sit and experience, and dream, without the distraction of being pelted by the elements.

I am now officially envious.
Killdeer  

[Lslite]

Once again Miss Killdeer's prose transports me to the place that she describes.I can here the raindrops falling as I read her words.Mr.Ron,your little corner of the world looks to be as fine a place to spend the season as any I have ever seen.The memories and friends you have accumulated there are a treasure beyond compare.

[Ron LaClair]

Thanks Killy, you'd be welcome in our camp anytime. I think you'd get along real well with Cindy, one of our good friends that visits our camp quite often with her husband Randy (Gus).

I recall one night when a few of us were sitting around the campfire outside the cabin. It was a still night and we were enjoying some good conversation when suddenly a pack of wolves started serenading us. For a full 20 or 30 minutes we listened as the wolves gave voice. We surmised  they were chasing a deer and as they actually came closer to our camp in a semi circle, the pitch suddenly changed to excited yelps and barks when they made a kill.

It was a very rare and moving experience and no one was more moved than Cindy.

A place like Shrewhaven is even more special when shared with good friends.

http://www.shrewbows.com/shrewhavenlodge.html

[Gus]

Ron - sure looks alot different than it did Friday afternoon. Just an observation , but how come Tim is either sitting down or leaning against a post in all the photos?
Will have more info on the bear bait this afternoon. Cindy's bait was cleaned up right to the dirt,now she is getting excited.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

We hit the woods pretty hard up there, so I always look forward to at least one morning of rain or bitter cold to sit in the cabin and drink coffee. The deck on back, over looking Armstrong Creek will make 'camp loafing" even more tempting this fall!

[Warchild]

Ron, If I remember correctly Shrewhaven is not too far from my camp near Iron Mountain. Lots of Bear in the area. We have been hunting up there since 1992.

[George D. Stout]

Okay Ron....good job.  When can you expect me?