Press // Moody Cabin Girl’s Autumn Adventure at Anam Cara
If you’re looking for an enchanting haven to get away from it all — while still enjoying the comforts of modern society — then do I have a cabin for you.
I spent one of the last weekends of October in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. This talon-shaped landform is the Northernmost part of the state’s Upper Peninsula, and the site of the first copper boom in the United States.
Copper Harbor, a short drive from the cabin, inherited its name from this historic period. These days, the copper industry has dwindled, as logging and tourism take the number one spot. As of 2021, the year-round population of Copper Harbor is a whopping 85 people. Its year-round residents are far surpassed by visitors. Copper Harbor is renowned for its untouched and pristine wilderness, world-class biking trails, and access to beautiful Lake Superior. This makes it a popular vacation destination, and the perfect spot for the fairy tale cabin that is Anam Cara.
Anam Cara is the creation of David and Colleen, who camped on the property for several years before beginning building. David is a retired emergency physician and Colleen a former attorney and nurse. The two make up a dream design team as Dave’s adventurous spirit and artistic flare is perfectly balanced by Colleen’s ability to organize, label, and provide simple and zen-like configurations.
When conceptualizing the cabin, the duo knew they wanted something that would be comfortable, sturdy, well-insulated, and easy to maintain. Yet they also wanted to be ecofriendly and use architectural salvage when possible. Thus the trestle table and several of the windows and doors are all made of recycled materials. Branches, sticks, and fallen trees were also put to use. Throughout the cabin you’ll find beautifully constructed paper lamps made to blend in with the surroundings, loosely taking the forms of leaves, tree trunks, nests, and more. This is a hobby Chris has playfully taken up, with 75 homemade lamps (at last count) being placed throughout the cabin. The finished product is a whimsical dwelling that blends in seamlessly with its idyllic environment. So let’s get into it!
The Outside
You’ll come across the cabin after driving down a winding forested road that runs alongside Lake Medora. The 10 acre property boasts 2500 feet of waterfront land, providing lakeside vistas from almost every vantage point. There is a trail almost a mile long that runs through the landscape, and guests are welcome to hike and explore as they please. There is a fire pit, dock, and even an outdoor shower. In the summer you can enjoy the lake in one of the provided canoes, or perhaps take a dip in scenic Medora Lake. With so much to do and see on-site, you will never want to leave the premises. However, the Keweenaw is a nature lover’s playground and the time may come when you want to take to the road and see the area. You can take a quick drive to downtown Copper Harbor and enjoy one of the local restaurants or check out famous Brockway Mountain.
The Inside
Quick Facts: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Upon entering the cabin, guests find a foyer and laundry room. This is great for taking off shoes and coats and getting things situated when you first arrive. Keep walking and you’ll find an open floor plan that contains the kitchen, dining room, and living room, along with a bathroom. There’s a stunning stone fireplace, window seats, an antique, rustic living room coffee table-chest that hinges open to reveal a smart TV! The kitchen has everything you need to make a homecooked meal. Games are provided, and the TV even has access to Netflix.
On the far end of the cabin there is an all seasons room with great big windows that show case the lake. My favorite lamp is located in this room, and looks like a giant leaf blowing in the wind.
Upstairs are two light-filled bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a cozy storage nook. The beds are oh so comfy, and the lighting combined with the natural decor left us feeling calm and relaxed. There is a bookshelf full of interesting reads outside the bedrooms. To top it off we fell in love with the branch railings that line the stairs.
To Sum It Up
We spent most of our visit on-site, taking in the cabin. We hiked the property, roasted marshmallows over the bonfire, and simply enjoyed the space and its views. We felt connected to nature and like we had the entire Keweenaw to ourselves as we relaxed at this slice of heaven that is Anam Cara. If you’re looking for a cabin to rent in Copper Habor, I would not hesitate to recommend this one. In fact I urge to book it asap. This cabin is fairly new to VRBO and will be hard to book once it catches on.