Diana Kathryn's Birthday Bash 2024
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Another year is ready for the books. Come celebrate with Charlie and Me!
We'll relax, have some fun, reminisce on past years,
and look forward to all the years yet to come.
You're Invited!
I'm hosting a weekend gathering to celebrate my 60th birthday for a few special friends at my cabin in the woods, in northern-lower Michigan. This forest land is sacred to me, and I would like to share it with you. You are welcome to join us for the entire weekend, or just part of it... it's up to you. I'll be grateful for any time we can be together.
Yes, we'll be out in the middle of basically, nowhere, but I promise, we'll have a good time! Here's how we'll spend the weekend. This is a Pantser Weekend (...I know...) so don't expect a "real" itinerary.
~ A paddle trip down the AuSauble River (your choice of canoe or kayak)
~ A hike along the river on my favorite DNR trail
~ Time to relax, read, and write, if you feel the spirit to do so
~ Lots of fun food, soft drinks, coffee, tea, cocoa
~ Silly outdoor games (if you feel so inclined, and weather permits)
~ Range time (see details below)
~ Campfires with storytelling, s'mores, laughter, and comfort.
~ And CAKE... yes, there MUST BE CAKE!
What if it rains? We'll gather inside the cabin, hang out on the covered front porch, tell stories, maybe do a rain dance, go to town for lunch or dinner, or the library to write, and simply enjoy each other's company.
Yes, we'll be out in the middle of basically, nowhere, but I promise, we'll have a good time! Here's how we'll spend the weekend. This is a Pantser Weekend (...I know...) so don't expect a "real" itinerary.
~ A paddle trip down the AuSauble River (your choice of canoe or kayak)
~ A hike along the river on my favorite DNR trail
~ Time to relax, read, and write, if you feel the spirit to do so
~ Lots of fun food, soft drinks, coffee, tea, cocoa
~ Silly outdoor games (if you feel so inclined, and weather permits)
~ Range time (see details below)
~ Campfires with storytelling, s'mores, laughter, and comfort.
~ And CAKE... yes, there MUST BE CAKE!
What if it rains? We'll gather inside the cabin, hang out on the covered front porch, tell stories, maybe do a rain dance, go to town for lunch or dinner, or the library to write, and simply enjoy each other's company.
Um... What About Sleeping and Such?
As you may have heard... my tiny cabin doesn't have modern amenities like indoor plumbing (I have an outhouse and a "shower shed")... but I've come up with a plan to make your visit more comfortable and keep you safe from becoming a bear burrito or coyote charcuterie. I'm going to reserve a block of rooms at a local motel. This isn't the Ritz... but it's clean, comfortable, and safe. As soon as I have a "head count" I'll let you know final lodging costs (if any - my intention is to cover costs for those invited; extra guests for SOs and Kids may incur a cost to you). Travel is at your expense, sorry.
https://www.miomotel.com/index.html
The motel has real beds, indoor plumbing, and air conditioning! The motel is about a 20-30 minute trip from the cabin, depending on how fast you drive. I recommend that you check in on your way through town, before coming to the cabin. That way, you can drop your stuff, and not have to worry about getting lost trying to find the place in the dark, after Friday's campfire.
The motel is directly across the street from the AuSauble River and my favorite DNR hiking trails. There is a McDonald's next door if you need a fast food fix, and it's also next door to a grocery store if you have special dietary needs. The rooms are dog-friendly and have either one queen, two queens, three queens, or four queen beds. So, if any of you want to room together, you could do that... just let me know who you want to bunk with when you RSVP. I'll send you a confirmation for your room (and any additional costs) once I've received your RSVP.
Who Else Is Invited? How Do I Know Who I Can Potentially Bunk With?
Well, friends... this is a VERY EXCLUSIVE party! I've invited my favorite people, who I also believe will genuinely enjoy this "rustic" style of silliness. So, if your name is on the list, it's because I love you, AND I think you'll be more inclined to enjoy the Forest and River without all the "cityfolk" stuff. Your spouses, significant others, children, and dogs are also invited. I'll let you decide if you'd like to spend the weekend with them or not. :-)
As you may have heard... my tiny cabin doesn't have modern amenities like indoor plumbing (I have an outhouse and a "shower shed")... but I've come up with a plan to make your visit more comfortable and keep you safe from becoming a bear burrito or coyote charcuterie. I'm going to reserve a block of rooms at a local motel. This isn't the Ritz... but it's clean, comfortable, and safe. As soon as I have a "head count" I'll let you know final lodging costs (if any - my intention is to cover costs for those invited; extra guests for SOs and Kids may incur a cost to you). Travel is at your expense, sorry.
https://www.miomotel.com/index.html
The motel has real beds, indoor plumbing, and air conditioning! The motel is about a 20-30 minute trip from the cabin, depending on how fast you drive. I recommend that you check in on your way through town, before coming to the cabin. That way, you can drop your stuff, and not have to worry about getting lost trying to find the place in the dark, after Friday's campfire.
The motel is directly across the street from the AuSauble River and my favorite DNR hiking trails. There is a McDonald's next door if you need a fast food fix, and it's also next door to a grocery store if you have special dietary needs. The rooms are dog-friendly and have either one queen, two queens, three queens, or four queen beds. So, if any of you want to room together, you could do that... just let me know who you want to bunk with when you RSVP. I'll send you a confirmation for your room (and any additional costs) once I've received your RSVP.
Who Else Is Invited? How Do I Know Who I Can Potentially Bunk With?
Well, friends... this is a VERY EXCLUSIVE party! I've invited my favorite people, who I also believe will genuinely enjoy this "rustic" style of silliness. So, if your name is on the list, it's because I love you, AND I think you'll be more inclined to enjoy the Forest and River without all the "cityfolk" stuff. Your spouses, significant others, children, and dogs are also invited. I'll let you decide if you'd like to spend the weekend with them or not. :-)
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What To Bring?
I highly recommend that you dress as comfortably as possible... after all, we'll be in the forest, on the river, and on the hiking trails. If we decide to go to town for lunch or dinner, there are a few places, all very casual... so dressing up isn't expected. Think summer camp attire.
Here's a list of stuff you may want to pack:
~ Comfy clothes and shoes
~ A Jacket; sometimes the nighttime brings a chilly breeze
~ A Whistle... it's a good idea, in case you get lost on the river or trails, so we can find you
~ Bug Repelant... this is the forest... bugs will be visiting, too.
~ Sunscreen
~ A Flashlight
~ A Camera
~ Adult Beverages (if you feel so inclined, I will have a cooler with ice on hand)
~ If you need to take medications, be sure to bring them; I have a small solar-powered refrigerator, if you need to keep them cool and close by.
~ A Folding Camp Chair (I have some... but not enough for everyone)
~ Acoustic Musical Instruments... if you feel so inclined
~ Firearms or Archery Equipment (if you feel so inclined, can transport them legally and safely, and are proficient enough not to kill anyone). I have 20 acres of land, and we have a few places where shooting lanes can be established safely. If this is something you want to do, please make sure I know in advance so I can plan accordingly.
~ You are welcome to bring your dog... but please keep in mind that unless they can go with us on the river trip (Charlie is very boat-friendly) they would have to wait back at the cabin (the cabin has two rooms, if separation is a requirement). There are three windows in the cabin (one in the bedroom, two in the main room), but we would need to keep the outer door closed to ward off escape attempts or wildlife intrusions. I don't have air conditioning, and the cabin can get steamy on hot days. The motel doesn't allow you to leave dogs unattended (although we MAY be able to fenagle special permission, but don't count on it). If you have additional questions regarding bringing your dog, reach out to me privately and we'll talk about it. I would love to have your dog join us, so let's figure out how to do it safely for them.
~ Your Spouse, Significant Other, and Children are also welcome to join us... the more, the merrier. Just make sure I'm aware, so I can plan for lodging and enough food and boats for everyone. (Extra visitors may incur extra lodging charges for you, depending on how many extra people we have.)
I highly recommend that you dress as comfortably as possible... after all, we'll be in the forest, on the river, and on the hiking trails. If we decide to go to town for lunch or dinner, there are a few places, all very casual... so dressing up isn't expected. Think summer camp attire.
Here's a list of stuff you may want to pack:
~ Comfy clothes and shoes
~ A Jacket; sometimes the nighttime brings a chilly breeze
~ A Whistle... it's a good idea, in case you get lost on the river or trails, so we can find you
~ Bug Repelant... this is the forest... bugs will be visiting, too.
~ Sunscreen
~ A Flashlight
~ A Camera
~ Adult Beverages (if you feel so inclined, I will have a cooler with ice on hand)
~ If you need to take medications, be sure to bring them; I have a small solar-powered refrigerator, if you need to keep them cool and close by.
~ A Folding Camp Chair (I have some... but not enough for everyone)
~ Acoustic Musical Instruments... if you feel so inclined
~ Firearms or Archery Equipment (if you feel so inclined, can transport them legally and safely, and are proficient enough not to kill anyone). I have 20 acres of land, and we have a few places where shooting lanes can be established safely. If this is something you want to do, please make sure I know in advance so I can plan accordingly.
~ You are welcome to bring your dog... but please keep in mind that unless they can go with us on the river trip (Charlie is very boat-friendly) they would have to wait back at the cabin (the cabin has two rooms, if separation is a requirement). There are three windows in the cabin (one in the bedroom, two in the main room), but we would need to keep the outer door closed to ward off escape attempts or wildlife intrusions. I don't have air conditioning, and the cabin can get steamy on hot days. The motel doesn't allow you to leave dogs unattended (although we MAY be able to fenagle special permission, but don't count on it). If you have additional questions regarding bringing your dog, reach out to me privately and we'll talk about it. I would love to have your dog join us, so let's figure out how to do it safely for them.
~ Your Spouse, Significant Other, and Children are also welcome to join us... the more, the merrier. Just make sure I'm aware, so I can plan for lodging and enough food and boats for everyone. (Extra visitors may incur extra lodging charges for you, depending on how many extra people we have.)
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DO NOT BRING GIFTS! The only gift I want this year is your company... and perhaps a story, poem, or song shared around the campfire. I've got enough stuff... just bring me you! |
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Where... Exactly... Will We Be?
My cabin is in the teeny, tiny town of Comins, Michigan. Basically, it's about two hours north-west on I-75 (if traveling from Oakland County), exit at #202, then follow M-33 north about an hour from the exit. There are only four turns total, including the exit, but it is a bit of a drive. Almost all of the driving is highway, or paved small-town roads, with posted speeds between 35mph and 75mph. The final five miles is a private, single-lane, dirt road (locals call it a "two-track"). It can be bumpy, depending on if it's been graded that particular weekend, or not. So, I don't recommend that you drive a low-to-ground sports car. When you RSVP, I'll send you specific driving and parking instructions. Yes, chances are, you'll want to run your car through a car wash when you get home... especially if it rains. If you have the cash and connections, and want to fly in, there is a light airport nearby. If you need me to pick you up there, I can arrange that, just let me know in advance. Oscoda County Dennis Kauffman Memorial Airport 245 S Mount Tom Rd, Mio, MI 48647 (989) 826-1404 |
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