Vacation budget goes to camp
 |
| The Original Camp, Grandma Style - an all white, clutter filled, poor use of space |
 |
| The 2012 Refresh Fresh color, new flooring... |
 |
| ...and a more family friendly use of the limited space |
We usually travel 2-3 times a year. In 2018 though, we began seriously thinking about what we wanted our simplified, "empty nest" life to look like. Namely, not working 40 hours a week until we are 65+ and not spending the next 20 winters in Maine.
The result was a 2019 shift in spending priorities as we began phasing our very basic lakeside camp into a viable 3 season option. After a midwinter trip to Disney World, we redirected the rest of our annual vacation budget toward a substantial camp refresh.
Phase 1 is happening this year: wall insulation, wall boards, paint, replacement windows, cabinets, overhead and exterior lighting, and an incinerating toilet. The bathroom will be relocated and enlarged while opening up space for a more functional kitchen. The aim is to make it a little less rustic and better equipped to support extended stays in upcoming years.
Adam and I were rather pleased with ourselves in our first construction effort - building the new bathroom wall.
10 windows came out, but with our new configurations only 7 went back in. While we are often grateful for the extra hands and assist from my parents. Sometimes things move quicker with just two hands and two sets of ideas in the mix.
We were happy to leave mom and dad to their own devices with their offer to re-shingle and replace the trim around our new windows.
Perhaps the best project news to date is that we finished all of the outside work BEFORE the blackflies and mosquitos arrived!