Hey Amanda! I found a State Park Log Cabin available for next weekend. Somewhere called Fields Spring in the Blue Mountains. Let's book it quick!
"Where is Fields Spring?" she says a few minutes after I've booked and paid for five nights.
"Anatone."
"And where's that?"
"Sat Nav says it's 406 miles from Bay View." "A 6 hour 40 minute drive."
"Oh - that will be our second longest drive on the Adventure so far then!"
And so it was. But well worth it!
At an altitude of over 4,000 feet we were 500 feet higher than the peak of Mount Snowdon, and a gentle walk from the Tamarack Cabin took us to the summit of Puffer Butte (that's Beaut not Butt) 100 feet higher than Ben Nevis. And 30 miles from the nearest Store/Gas Station/Bar/Restaurant.
Puffer Butte and its surroundings blossom with color year round, from the wildflower-sprinkled hills of spring to the russet and sapphire mountains of summer. Winter brings powder and sparkles, delighting snowshoers and cross-country skiers. The Tamarack Cabin sleeps up to four guests and can be reserved year round. The cabin features a full bathroom, mini-fridge, microwave and coffee pot.
We made good use of the cabin's features - especially that Coffee Pot! And someone left the door unlocked at Wohelo Lodge right next-door so we made good use of some of its features too!
Wohelo Lodge offers a cozy retreat in the Blue Mountains. Originally built in 1935 for the Campfire Girls, Wo-he-lo stands for work, health and love. The large log cabin has a full kitchen, living room with a stone fireplace, modern restrooms with showers an open sleeping loft. Summer visitors enjoy hiking and mountain biking while winter guests enjoy cross-country skiing on nearly 6 miles of groomed trails and sledding on Tubing Hill adjacent to the lodge.
Hiked Puffer Butte every day in search of a Digital Fix - Day 2 picked up a single WhatsApp msg - "Proof that there is life out there" we agreed.
Peaceful wilderness - campground deserted - even at the weekend less than half the 20 Pitches occupied. Park not entirely deserted though. One night a Bear came to visit. Heard him mooching about going through our bin - and found fresh Bear Scat on the path next morning. Would have got photos but Amanda wouldn't let me go outside! So quiet! One night a family stayed in the Tepee a quarter of a mile from Tamarack Cabin. The noise of them talking was a shock to our ear drums, which had heard nothing louder than humming wasps for several days!
Those are Thimble Berries - we checked with the Park Ranger, Austin, before picking and eating them. Like raspberries - but nicer - perhaps because they were In the Wild - although not "Into the Wild" (the 2007 Film).
