Building a Dream, One Log at a Time

Carl and Annie's Memoir

By Rosanne Gulisano

I blog about snippets and snapshots of the memoirs and life stories of everyday folks attending my Lifestories workshops. I have changed the names, but the stories are the real thing, from the plain and simple to the sinister and dangerous. Enjoy!

Building the Dream, One Log at a Time

How many of us can turn our life dreams into our life story?

Carl and Annie knew they wanted to build a log home in the wonderful, Wild West, far from town and the intensity of city life. No neighbors, no clocks, no schedules. Year after year, they loaded up their RV and headed toward the sunset searching for just the right location for their dream home.

They both worked hard at jobs that did not hold their hearts—he a maintenance engineer for the town they lived in and she an administrative assistant.

Finally, they came upon a piece of property that fulfilled their every wish. A little spot near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in the foothills, but rugged enough to satisfy their wilderness quest. They purchased it and began looking into log home plans.

The kit was ordered for their three-bedroom home with a large great room and massive stone fireplace. The truck delivered all the components for their new home, struggling up the gravel road to the building site. All the materials were there. Now all they had to do was to put them together!

Retirement still loomed a few years ahead for both of them, but they want to be ready when they are finally free to enjoy their wilderness years. The RV was provisioned with everything they might need for a few months away from civilization. Carl and Annie headed west, with their border collie, Herbie.

Knowing the nearest grocery or hardware store is more than 20 miles away, they tried to think of everything. They arrived at the building site and began clearing the land to lay the foundation for their new home. Using over a month of their accumulated vacation time, they got a good start on the cabin. They journaled the progress and took pictures each step of the way.

There were a few neighbors within a short distance, and Carl learned to appreciate their knowledge and help while Annie enjoyed getting advice on the wilderness existence from the local women. Even Herbie made great friends among the nearby dogs. One was part wolf!

When Carl and Annie attended the Lifestories workshop, the home was almost complete. It was early spring and they were each due to retire within a few months. They are ecstatically looking forward to the rest of their life’s journey together.

While most of us expect to enjoy the accoutrements of our modern world, Carl and Annie find peace and serenity with the simple pleasures of nature.