Memories of Dad at the Cabin

What do fathers love almost as much as their children? Spending family time at the cabin, of course! After all, it’s at this cherished getaway that hard-working dads can truly relax and spend quality family time without interruption. Our readers share their fondest memories of their fathers at the cabin.


When Daddy let me drive …
“My dad has always been devoted to his family, and he is dedicated to spending time and creating lifelong memories with us.

At our cabin in Shanagolden, Wis., he has no worries or stress, and it is simply a place of relaxation and freedom from the hustle and bustle of daily life. He always looks forward to the weekends when we can go to the cabin as a family.

On summer trips to the cabin, Dad especially loves taking us for rides in his red 1966 Oldsmobile convertible. When my four sisters and I were little, he would sometimes even take the back roads and let us sit on his lap so that we could ‘drive’ the car. I will never forget how exciting that was! In this photo, he’s carrying on the tradition with his grandson, Zachary.”


How Dad “rocked” us to sleep …
“When Dad was building our cabin and he needed us to settle down and take a nap, he would place us in a rocking chair balanced on the floor joists. We fell right to sleep because we had to be so still. He would croon and whistle to us while watching us drift off. The funny thing was that we always woke from our naps in the big feather bed.”


Making the most of my time with Dad …
“In 2002, Dad and I purchased  a mobile home on six acres of lakefront property with our limited funds. Weekend after weekend, we would travel north to our place, doing small projects, playing games, reminiscing, dreaming and taking a daily pontoon cruise at sundown. After only two years of spending time at the lake with my best friend, he passed away following a battle with cancer. I feel fortunate to have had those two years with my Dad, and I won’t soon forget the memories we made.”

Tilly Schmidt