A Perspective on Rock Fence Cabin
An invitation to winter fun turned into an annual pilgrimage for Coleen Sullin. Nestled in the woods near snowshoe and ski trails Rock Fence is a great choice for an ABR cabin stay.
l am not sure the year it happened, but I had been hearing about the pleasures of cross-country skiing at ABR for years from my brother Scott (Hervey) and Ruth (Hampton). The stories about how great the snow was, how much fun the trails were, the joys of cabin life, the people stories were all a draw for me. One year, I asked why I hadn’t been invited to join in the fun and was told that the invitation had been extended the previous year, the mistake was mine in not recognizing the invitation.
Thus began my annual pilgrimage to Ironwood and ABR from North Carolina. Now not only do I have an annual pass, I can’t imagine the beginning of a year without an opportunity to travel to ABR’s winter wonderland to play that dance with snow and gravity in the woods that is cross-country skiing.
For me, the adventure starts with the meal planning and preparing. We have chosen to stay in the Rock Fence Cabin, with no electricity. But lest anyone think we are roughing it, our meals have included things such as hearty stews, rice pudding, homemade tortillas, stuffed porkchops, cranberry salad, chutney, and cornbread. With the outdoors as an available freezer (coolers in the cars acting as our freezer, coolers at the cabin as our refrigerator), we have many options and exploring and planning the meals is a fun way to prepare for the trip.
Afternoons may involve relaxing, a second round of skiing or snowshoeing. What a great way to spend the day.
We eat well and enjoy the slow rhythm of the days. After a good breakfast, when a slow leisurely start to the day has involved watching the Pisten Bully groom the trails out past the cabin and the other earlier skiers that have zipped past, we head out to ski. We all return to the cabin for a warm lunch and tall tales of adventures (porcupines, ruffed grouse, rabbits, moose tracks, and more).
Afternoons may involve relaxing, a second round of skiing or snowshoeing. What a great way to spend the day. There is something so rewarding about a day out in the woods, competing with yourself to the rhythm of your skis, the challenge of the climbs, the joy of the descents, the gliding strides and at the end of the day, the tiredness of a day well spent. Add in the pleasure of the company around the table and a sauna rounding out the day, and it is hard to find a better way to spend time.
People at home (Raleigh, NC) ask me what draws me to the cold and snow. I will say that there is nothing like the silence of a beautiful, snowy day out on the trails in the woods. Whether it is a bluebird sky or a cloudy day with snow drifting down, the trails are amazing and the beauty is sublime. The exhilaration, challenge and fun of cross country skiing at ABR makes for a memorable time well spent with good friends and family.
