We purchased, along with our son and his family, two small cabins that had been part of a resort. We had been out of the cabin scene for several years and decided to get back into it, more for our grand children and all the wonderful memories that would come. Our cabins are small and cozy, but our cabin gets used not only buy us, but our daughter/husband/three children and a big yellow lab. To say space is at a minimum would be a huge understatement. My dream would be to combine the two cabins, with two separate bedroom wings with a center great room/kitchen/screen porch. We are open to ideas and ways to facilitate a "family compound." We are blessed to have both of our children and grand children living close to us. The cabin is such a great way to bond even more with our grand children (five boys, one girl). I know size of the cabin won't increase the memories but it would certainly make the whole experience a little more pleasurable and may help to keep grandma's sanity in tack. We would like to keep the integrity of the surrounding areas so it does not infringe or seem out of place with the quaintness of the old resort. Green building is a concept that interests us and perhaps the use of sip panel construction. Our cabins now are seasonal cabins and it would  be wonderful to have them winterized so we could use them during our LONG winter months. Our lot includes 150´ of lakeshore and we have four wooded acres behind the cabins. The terrain is flat with a variety of conifers and deciduous trees. We are on Sugar Lake (500 acres), five miles north of Malmo - north of Lake Mille Lacs. We would really like to win 12 hours of consultation with Keith Waters and Associates and would look forward to the ideas and plans that they would come up with. Please keep in mind that good design does not have to be expensive and that we would probably, as a family, like to share in the design and building process. Thanks you for your consideration. 

Lee and Peg 

Elk River, MN  

Our lakeshore dreams began pure and simple. Fishing from the dock, long lazy afternoons, a couple of evening casts into the lake and a bonfire complete with smores to end the day. It could be our time to connect, build memories, and build relationships. So the hunt began. In July of 2005 we came across a 1 bedroom 1 bath guest cottage being sold separate from the larger cabin. It was perfect. A smaller lake, lots of panfish, sandy beach and only2 ∏ hrs. from our home. Our very own place to escape to. The excitement grew as the closing date was fast approaching. I quickly started furnishing the cabin with yard sale treasures. Dishes, a lawnmower, life vests, even an extra canoe paddle, just in case!  Just days before the closing, we got the news that 2 feet 8 inches of the corner of the cabin was actually on the neighbors’ lot. We decided to continue forward and try to modify the building so it would not encroach. The end result of lazy summer days and trips to the ice cream parlor kept pushing us forward.  Our focus changed from relationships and ice cream to our 2 ft. 8 inch problem. Little did we know how this seemingly small problem would grow, to the point that it cost me my ankle and almost cost me my life. After much contemplation, debate and many trips to the county we decided that the most logical way to proceed was to actually have the building moved. The lazy days of summer were replaced with telephone calls, contractors, estimates, structure movers and masons. I am not a builder by trade and my learning curve was very steep. In mostly perfect timing, all things came together. The building got moved, the view is even better than before. We now met all the setbacks and a big sigh of relief was heard across the lake. There was still work to be done but the big part was over.  One of the problems inside was the stairs to the lower level. When the cabin was moved to its newer deeper foundation, the spiral staircase no longer worked. We placed an extension ladder through the opening on the main floor until we could figure out a new staircase. That turned out to be a life changing mistake. Thanksgiving 2008,while climbing the ladder to the main level after stoking the wood stove, I got all the way to the top of the ladder and as I was about to climb off, the ladder slid out from under me. I hung onto the floor above, dangling. I could neither pull myself up nor hang on any longer. For a brief moment I had time to think…’this is gonna hurt’. As I fell I came down on my left leg first. Crack!, my leg broke, as  I tried to catch myself with my arm and snap!, my arm broke. Thankfully those were my only injuries. It has been a year and the stairs still need help, there is no entrance to the front door, and I am not happy with the foyer. My lakeshore dreams continue but, they are yet to be completely achieved. Thanks for reading! 

Cathi 

Minnetonka, MN 

Winding stairs descending through the woods filled with pockets of sunshine leaking through the canopy of leaves overhead. At the base of these stairs, is a bridge leading to the main door.  This cottage holds the history of it's past through the architecture of it's design.  It shows the protection it has given over the past generations and the love it has been shown in return.  It is equally as beautiful as the lake that lines it's shores, where the colors of the sky are absorbed within it's soothing waters.  People claim that being near the lake, breathing in it's mystical powers brings good health to those that are sick, weak or old.  I believe the same, it is a place our family goes to find the peace that we need.  Our dream, is hidden within the potential of our boathouse.  We hope that someday our boathouse will become a sauna, with beautiful french doors facing the lake's shallow waters, and stairs leading to the soft sand that lines the lake.  It is still yet a dream.  Thanks for your consideration.