Our cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Hovland, Minn., has been a retreat for the Crone/Prevey/Wander family for five generations. My wife, Lynda (Prevey), introduced me to this wonderful spot in 1963, the year we were married. The unfinished cabin and lakeshore were acquired in the 1950s by Lynda's grandmother Martha Crone, who was the curator of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis. After her retirement, Martha spent many happy and productive weeks at the cabin every year, finishing the inside, planting wildflowers and tending her gardens on this northern boreal shore. The gardens have since reverted back to nature, but many of the perennial flowers still grow and bloom every year. Martha left her family a great legacy.
As Martha grew older, she enjoyed the cabin with her daughter's family, Janet and Glenn Prevey and their children Lynda, Judy and David. Lynda and I, with our three sons, spent many happy days at this spectacular place on Lake Superior. Our sons' families with their children added the fifth generation that is now enjoying the cabin. Lynda passed away in 2010 after a long struggle with young onset Alzheimer's disease. We all treasure the memories, and I think it helps to be at the cabin, where she had so much fun.
This typical 1950s North Woods cabin overlooks the dark basalt rock shoreline of the great lake. Favorite activities include campfires on the rocks, grilling some food, enjoying a beverage and watching the lake. The grandkids love it and always find something fun to do outside. The mood of the lake varies from placid and serene to wild and stormy, with waves crashing onto the rocks and sending spray toward the cabin. A beautiful experience is sitting on the rocks at night, listening to the waves and looking at the stars, with moonlight reflecting on the water. Cabin properties are a never-ending source of "something to do," and even the required work is enjoyable for me. I feel that we are stewards of this place and need to maintain and preserve it as much as possible.
On the shoreline rocks near the cabin, there is an iron ring anchored to the rock with a strong eye bolt. This was probably hand-forged by a blacksmith over 100 years ago and may have been used to hold one end of a log boom. There is a similar ring on a point across the small bay. To me this ring symbolizes a connection to the rocky shore and also to the history of the area. From here we can enjoy hiking, backpacking, fishing and sightseeing along the North Shore. We thank Lynda, her family and Grandma for this wonderful legacy.
NICK WANDER, NEW BRIGHTON
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