The Old Hunting Cabin

"A work in Progress"

 

By

 

Randal R. Huff

 

(Current look at Cabin and Paul’s new deck)

 

 

 

The year was 1992 when a friend of mine started his "Work in Progress", the rebuilding of his Grandfathers farmhouse and his hunting refuse. Paul Matthews had spent many a day at his Grandparents side on the ole family farm. Those days at this reclusive location enabled the "city boy" to acquire many a "country boys" attitude, in the love of the farm. Among the many important lessons a boy would learn, those of gun safety and hunting techniques have carried him through his life as a sportsman and Policeman. I have sat at my friend’s side and listened intently to the many stories he shares from digging wells to feeding hogs on the old farm. His love of his grandmother is quite evident. Her "Sunday go to meeting" dress still hangs where she left it. To me this now old tattered cloth hangs as a symbol of the once grand lady she must have been.

The farm was not always his grandparents; on one of the huge stones (which make the two story house) is the carved year 1881. The story goes that an old German once owned the farm and from his vineyard he made wine. The cellar and outbuildings are evidenced by the collection of jars and bottles which were used for canning and wine storage.

Through the years I have developed several friendships with police officers. A fishing buddy who just happens to be a police officer introduced me to Paul. This deserves more explanation; most Police Officer’s adhere to a code that the regular population just doesn’t get. I think this may come from the danger of the job, the things an officer see’s or is exposed to, or maybe it just falls to "trust". He or she has to trust those around them to "know we got each other back". This trust is not given or taken lightly, and for a non-policeman to enter this group is sometimes a difficult thing. As a veteran I attribute this "bond" to the feeling one has for his fellow soldiers. I believe most veterans can relate to this comparison. Buddies are Buddies!

That brings me to my relationship with Paul. We just hit it off. Honestly at first, I think he was surprised at my attitude toward his farm. That mutual desire to improve the place cemented our friendship. Others whom he had invited to go hunting or spend a few days at the farm did not share in his vision of what the "Ole Place could turn into". On this let me break something down, Paul’s work on the farm is about 99.99999 % and my little effort of .000001% gets thrown in as our schedules allow us.

Our first week at the farm in 1993 centered around repairing the road to the farm. I don’t know how he does it but this guy has more toys to play with. I say that jokingly but those toys include 3 tractors he has restored, a Bobcat, and a Dump Truck. Me being a country boy myself, equipment is no strange animal. Neither is work! So, the road was completed and the creek crossing received some needed adjustment too. This week, working together (and turkey hunting by the way), was the foundation of what has turned into a great friendship.

That Fall I returned and met Paul’s Son-in-law Darrell, his son Cory and with another friend Mitch Dugo. We all had a good week. During the trip Mitch and I decided it was time to replace the "privy" before next years deer season. So the Thursday and Friday before next years opening day of deer season we built a new one. Friends let me tell you, this proved to be a great addition and for whatever reason seemed to be the catalyst for group projects. During the years to follow as a group we have made several improvements.

Paul is forever doing something on his own. Painting the tin roof by himself (which I have scolded him for on numerous occasions), it’s too steep for one man! However, trying to talk him out of something once he has his mind set is like talking to a post. I’m not saying he is hard headed, or stubborn, but…………..let’s just say like my grandma use to say………."he’s set in his own ways". I can’t even begin to list the things he has done on his own so I will not try. However, as you look at the pictures you can see there has been a big difference in the place. Paul often accuses me of "liking to spend his money"! Let’s just call it sweat equity like they say in all those home improvement shows.

Our first big project was re-doing the kitchen. This was accomplished by removing the old hardwood floor. This floor had been put in the kitchen many years ago by Paul’s father. He wanted his mother not have to walk on the cold concrete floors. Through the years the humidity of the concrete took its toll and when I first came to the "rock house", the floors were starting to rot and evidence of plywood patches and linoleum were everywhere.

 

(Me and one of the critters)

My brother Tom joined our group and like me he is not too fond of snakes. A couple of them got his attention very quickly. This would be a story in itself! Under that floor we found not one, not two, ……….we found five snakes. It was so funny, as we often found snake skins in the bedrooms. Therefore, we were already spooked as to what species we would find under that rotting floor. I can still see Paul opening up the cook stove and finding a snake. It was really funny; he went "nuclear" on that old stove. The snake survived, the stove did not!

 

(Paul - Snake hunting in the Stove)

After the snakes and flooring were removed, we put down new runners and plywood. We patched holes in the concrete walls, scraped and repainted them. The paint was actually falling off the walls.

The next week Paul returned and placed tile on the floor. The kitchen was starting to take shape. Mitch supplied some needed cabinet work and soon we had a sink. Paul picked up a kitchen table and chairs and Tom supplied some electronics and soon all the comforts of home were being realized.

 

(Paul working on floor)

 

 

(Kitchen taking shape-turkey dinner Danny, Paul, Mitch and Tom, watching TV)

The back bedroom and stairs were tackled on another trip. Tom and I scraped dirt dobber nest from the ceiling and removed newspaper covered wallboard. We painted top, bottom and sides. The bedroom looked much better and was so much easier to keep clean.

 

(Tom working in bedroom-Painting)

On a following trip Paul did the same thing to his room, adjacent to ours. Plus, he has chipped out, replaced and painted all the windows. When you look at the pictures please note in 1881 all windows were not the same size. Paul has done a great job with them. We actually have screens! Would you believe it….Pella windows!

Finally, our last big project was removing an old attached side room and building a deck in its place.

 

(Old Attached side room-before removal)

After some eyeballing and splinters Paul and I got the frame up on a Thursday before deer season. We were joined by others as they arrived for the season and was able to complete about 75% of the deck. We finished the decking the following weekend.

 

(Fall 2006-getting started on deck before everyone showed up)

 

( Darrell, Mitch, Cory, Lee, Josh, Sam, Mitch, Paul and Me, teamwork)

 

(Stage 1 completed)

We always try to look for something we can do or bring with us to make or maintain the farm and outbuildings. Paul has been busy shoring up the walls on the main barn. We have robbed tin from older outbuilding which are too far gone to repair and resided the outer walls of this barn. I wish he would not tackle this demolition alone but arguing is fruitless.

 

 

(Paul working on sliding door – 2007)

 

 

 

(Another Job-bites the dust)

Retirement is around the corner for me and hopefully we will get to spend many more days at the Matthews Farm when our schedules finally jive. One of several positive outcomes is Paul’s wife Linda has started coming to the farm more often. She usually brings the grandbabies, son and daughter-laws, all in tow to enjoy the outdoors. I joke with Paul saying "do you think it’s because we got rid of the snakes, spiders, and wasp".

Last fall we completed our second hunting tower. We all take turns using the various deer stands on the property. As usual I missed my deer. For someone who can shoot paper targets fairly well, I’m always two steps behind Paul when it comes to big deer. Maybe I should just switch to a camera instead!

So until next time…….

 

Thank you Paul for the memories, and allowing me to share in your dream.

 

(What makes it all worth while)

 

I have many-many pictures of hunting trips and game harvested……but this is a story about a different kind of fun………………………..I’m sure there are many land owners and hunters out there who would like to experience more than just a once a year weekend. If this appeals to you I hope you find someone with a like mind, to build some memories with. All it takes is a little "Elbow Grease", and when you say you are going to do something……..DO IT!

(Final Product completed in 2008)

 

(Tom with found snake skins)