Enjoying time at a lake, state park or campground has always been a part of our family life. Our four children, who are now adults, will attest to the fun of fishing, camping, campfires, catching turtles, and more. Our family trips evolved from a family-size tent to a pop-up camper to travel trailer before moving on to mini-motor home and finally a Class A motor home in retirement.

Our roots were in Iowa, and the closest we came to getting Up North was to camp on the north end of Lake Okoboji. The idea of a cabin often entered our minds but never comfortably fit the budget or employment locations. After a job transfer to Minnesota in the early 1980s, we were able to truly experience getting away. The children progressed into their teens, and camping with Mom and Dad lost some appeal. Then, when they married and started their families, camping took on a new interest for everyone. Still a cabin of our own didn't materialize. Not until we were reaching retirement years did the adult children catch the Northwoods bug so strongly that three of the four children gravitated toward the Lake Mille Lacs area.

Retirement became a reality for me and my wife, Dee, and real family time was available. We retired to the Anoka-Ramsey area, but the adult kids and our grandchildren were Up North. We decided to locate a permanent camping site north for a big Class A motor home (it's since been sold). We were blessed to find an ideal one-acre campsite in the woods with a septic and well. It had a dilapidated mobile home on the site, too. We probably should have demolished it, but a passion for DYI projects and some skill and the gift of retirement triggered the vision for a cabin.

Having the public boat ramp only 1½ miles away on Lake Mille Lacs was a plus. We retained the foundation, frame and exterior walls of the old unit and transformed it into our place, which we call Sleep N Inn. The materials and furnishings were free and garage sale finds. The demo of a big-box supply store in the suburbs really helped. We repurposed their castoffs or bargain-priced closeout items.

The cabin is 70 miles north of our townhouse. Three of the four adult children (and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren) live in a radius of 400 feet (yes, really) to 30 miles of the cabin. There is room for plenty, even with just two bedrooms. With hide-a-beds, screen porch and more, there is space for a 10-person sleepover.

We have learned it's never too late to fulfill a cabin dream. Life is good!

Robert Van Driel, Ramsey