Sunrise Cabin

Last week I spent three full days with my daughter in a cabin on a mountain in Oklahoma and it was unbelievably perfect!

Because of this unusual time we find ourselves in, I’m putting forth effort to be mindful and present. Tess and I spent three days being “in the moment” as much as possible. We agreed to just a few brief minutes of 2020 talk, then only focusing on the present. The moment. The sights, sounds and smells of where we were. It was exactly what we needed together.

I’ll keep this post that way as well. All about our time at the cabin. Now let me flood you with pics.

We hadn’t seen each other since Mike and I went to visit her and Manuel in Texas the first weekend in March.

I needed to see my girl.

My drive down from Kansas was about 5 1/2 hours while Tess drove up from Texas for about 4 1/2 hours. The drive alone was beautiful. The trees and scenery were so colorful as I headed south through Missouri into Arkansas and then back west a bit into Oklahoma. Five hours, four states. I was so happy. There was just enough color in the leaves to spark some “awe” moments for me. I’ve always appreciated the leaves in the Fall and this drive did not disappoint. I left my house at 7:00 am anxious to see my girl. The trip went much quicker than I anticipated and suddenly I found myself turning on the leaf covered gravel road that would lead me 1/4 mile up Kiamichi mountain to the Peckerwood Knob Sunset Cabin.

As I turned on the one lane road to go up the mountain, I had a split second thought of “What in the heck are you doing?” It was so secluded, but beautiful, but also…..it was soooo secluded. I was completely alone trusting that the cabin we had found on the internet was real and safe and fine. It had good Trip Advisor reviews, but still…..one wonders.

And….the name!

As I reached the top of the one lane road, I saw the cabin. I saw a couple outside finishing the last of the clean up from the previous guest and they waved and greeted me. He was busy restocking the wood pile while she finished up mopping the floors. The view was breathtaking. They made sure I had both of their cell numbers before they left. They also reminded me to put any trash in bags and set it in the outbuilding and close the door. Cuz you know, bears.

Me…..”I hate to sound like an idiot here, but are there really bears here?”

Dorothy, you’re not in Kansas anymore.

Ed – the owner “Oh don’t worry. They are very timid. They don’t want you, just your food. We haven’t seen any in a while”

I thought….oh dear Lord. I can NOT tell Tess that when she gets here. The main thing we want to do is hike on this mountain. How will we hike knowing there might be a bear? Or two? Or more? I will keep this information to myself.

As I was unloading my truck, my girl arrived! I couldn’t believe it had been eight months since we had hugged. Being able to hug her tight right then was soooo nice.

She’d been there maybe 10 minutes and we were unpacking and making ourselves at home in the Sunrise Cabin when I just blurted out……”They have bears here and I wasn’t going to tell you but it’s not fair to me that I know that and you don’t!” Then I just giggled. I’m like, there is no way I have to know that and you don’t.

This was new territory for me. I’m always questioning why people surf if they know there is the potential of sharks and now I’m going to hike knowing I might see a bear??? This is dumb. We’re staying in. No hikes. We’ll paint our nails, do Yoga and play checkers, sip coffee. No sitting by the fire pit outside.

Well, we did all the things and it was fine. No bear sightings. We took the hikes, enjoyed the fire pit and also enjoyed the coziness of the cabin inside while playing checkers, doing Yoga, cooking yummy meals and enjoying our quality time together.

You can’t live your life in fear or you won’t actually live your best life. (I was happy to have packed my mace though!)

This is the first picture of Tess I took that first day together. It’s my favorite picture from the three days. It almost looks unreal.

Look how cute this place is! This is the east side of this cute little A-frame cabin and it is allll about the sunrise.

I stepped inside and turned to look at my view for the next three days.

The bedroom up in the loft had a King bed with sliding doors and a small deck looking to the west to enjoy the sunset. You could look east over the railing and watch the sunrise without even leaving the bed.

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Look at this tiny and narrow staircase.

The front door looks to the west. The deck above is just off the bedroom for a spectacular evening view.

There was a second bedroom downstairs with a Queen bed. Tess had this room but we both slept upstairs. Girl chat and the best view.

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The kitchen was fully stocked with any utensil, pot or pan one would need. There was no store within several miles, so we knew to come prepared with food and beverage. We made ourselves at home pretty quick! Even on vacation, I enjoy cooking and playing house.

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The pics on this cloudy day don’t reflect the beautiful colors we were able to witness during our stay, but look how cozy.

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The owner shared with me that he had to replace the door on the outbuilding because a black bear ripped it off. Enjoy your stay here!

My favorite time of day while camping, and it was just as nice here at the cabin.

Morning one was cloudy and expected but I still enjoyed the peaceful view and a quiet cup of coffee out in the middle of nowhere while my girl slept.

There was a walking trail right by the cabin with a nice collection of walking sticks to choose from.

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Our first little hike on the mountain was a little cool, a little damp but thankfully, bear free.

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This is the road leading up to the cabin.

The clouds started to break up in the afternoon and Tess got to work building her first fire.

While I agreed to do the cooking, Tess was anxious to master building a fire and keep it going. She had a fire going pretty much all day long inside and out. She did great!

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They had a hammock there and I also took mine. Enjoy the view in a hammock? Yes please.

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Being able to enjoy the sunset our first full day made up for the cloudy morning.

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I don’t remember at what age it started, but I have always been intrigued by the colors of a sunrise or sunset. I had posters all over my bedroom of various sunrise/sunset views. The beach, the mountain, a wheat field. I love them all. I can get a little lost in the simple thought of a new beginning of the day with new opportunities or the ending of a perfect day.

I woke up early, made coffee and sat back and watched this beautiful morning while sitting on a mountain in the Sunrise Cabin.

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This hiking trail by the cabin was only 1 1/4 mile but most of the trail was climbing up rocks….or down rocks….with a few flat spots like this area here in the picture. It was a perfect hike! Tess had never hiked a trail like this before and she was loving it. The leaves covered the path, so each step was mindful as the leaves made for a slippery surface. We questioned our direction a few times, but each time we found a tree with its white marking, we moved on. We had our walking sticks, our mace, and after reading a few safety tips on hiking in the mountains, we would occasionally yell out something ridiculous (“HELLO YOU BEAUTIFUL DAY!”) just to let nature know we were there without startling anyone, such as a bear.

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We headed out on our last full day for a drive on the Talimena National Scenic Byway. There were several places to pull over and take it all in. The pictures don’t do it justice.

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We kept meals fairly simple but delicious, of course. Breakfast included either hash topped with an egg and avocado or my paleo pancake mix topped with fruit, bacon and almond butter.

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Dinner night one was un-pictured Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas. The following night, roasted Brussels sprouts with a skillet of rotisserie chicken, chicken sausage, potatoes, corn, zucchini and red onion. Leftovers for lunch.

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A simple dinner one evening of beer, chicken sausages over the fire ended with a toasted marshmallow. I mean how perfect is that??

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Snacks……

These few days were just what we needed and I’m so happy we were able to get together and make it happen. Tess works for Southwest Airlines and managing the stress of her job has really been hard on her. Not being able to see each other has only added to that as I know so many are feeling the same stress and sadness.

We’re feeling extremely grateful for this time we had together.

I’ll end with a view to remember.

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Coffee the last morning.

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See you this week in an additional post!

“love the life you live, live the life you love”