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I spent the last few days at a cabin in Northern Wisconsin and it was wonderful. Perfect weather coupled with a myriad of cabin activities like fishing, cruising on a pontoon, hitting my ball in the woods off #10, and getting dangerously close to the bonfire made coming back to work even harder. But perhaps the moment I enjoyed most was the traditional pilgrimage to the up-north grocery store. Why? When you go up to a cabin, a lot of societal pressure goes by the wayside and the same goes for your typical trip to the supermarket. You might have a shopping list, but most likely you don’t need one as your eyes light up at the sight of weirdly smoked meats and unnecessarily large bottles of alcohol for a 2-night stay. It’s a feeding frenzy for frivolous things. It’s exhilarating. Here’s why:
Each Person Buys a Caveman Allotment of Meat
Meats…all of the meats. Visiting the butcher station at the town grocery story is like being handed a red-meat ticket to paradise. There’s steak of all kinds, pork chops, kabobs, meat sticks – always meat sticks. Plus, you’ll probably venture upon some smoked or seasoned meats that came from a local source. Always buy the local specialty. And even though you’ll probably only eat 4-5 solid meals depending on your scheduling, most cabin-goers opt to buy enough meat for at least 10 meals, serving sizes be damned. It’s the thought that counts. After all, grilling everything in sight is an essential part of cabin cooking. Yes, even veggies become worthwhile after experiencing some glorious Northwoods smoke.
Added bonus: Mixing in last night’s leftover steak to the morning’s egg combination is a game changer.
Mix and Match Alcohols as You Please
Reasonably speaking, your mindset going into the weekend is to stay responsible and stick to a beer and one spirit type max throughout the trip. That notion of sensibility goes out the window when you get a look at the charmingly limited booze section. Inevitably, your responsible take on alcohol will get battered by the collective peer pressure of your group, which leads to a myriad of peculiar purchases. When you’re committed to two solid days and nights of drinking, no spirit or spirit combination is off the table. Pair Tequila with some Jeremiah Weed. Convince yourself that you’re going to make Moscow Mules but forget the limes. Stuff like that. And while the spirit selection might not be the best, I guarantee that your local spot will have a great selection of in-state craft beer offerings. My cabin trip was in Wisconsin, so I stereotypically dove straight in to their New Glarus section which included some great offerings like their Belgian Red and Raspberry Tart. I also drank as much Moon Man and Founders All Day IPA as humanly possible.
It’s a Unifying Moment on the Trip
When you’re done with the vital meat and booze selections, you’ll probably end up collaborating with your buddies on what frivolous purchase or boat accessory adorning the end cap you’ll end up adding to your cart. And whether it’s an old set of lawn darts (the dangerous ones) or a blow-up pong table, you’ll feel a common sense of unity with your other cabin-goers once you hit the checkout line. Each beep from the cash register ups your level of optimism for the trip. And while your grocery bill will end up being excessively high, you and your friends’ expectations for the weekend will rise even higher. Drink it up. The official start of any cabin experience is one of the best feelings around. Cheers!.
Respond
@TaylorLaabs
@taylor1laabs
I pity the folks who will never experience a long holiday weekend up in northern Michigan. There is nothing quite like it. Beer, boats, brats and burgers (and boobs.) Those are the only B’s I need to get through life.
Pure Michigan.
I’ll be in (kind of) northern Michigan next week for my yearly 4th of July pilgrimage. Gonna be lit.
If you don’t love Americans while drinking on a Northern Michigan lake then you don’t have a pulse.
sup?
This is the second summer of my life not being in Northern MI for the Fourth (Petoskey area – BH, BV, HS). The first year being the year I was born. Sad.
I moved to the east coast but I will strongly consider vacationing in northern Michigan instead of ACK.
I’m jealous – enjoy. Harbor Springs has an ACK vibe to it if that’s what you’re looking for. No matter what I’m sure you’ll love it.
This is the first summer in my life that I’m not going to spend at least one weekend up north at my grandmas cabin. Spending my days fantasizing about lake michigan
This is exactly how I feel about the first alcohol run of a ski trip.
Same here except with my annual float trip in San Marcos.
One of the best memories of my life – cabin trip with the boys, barehanding bacon wrapped filet mignons and dousing English muffins in butter, sloppy eggs and more bacon the next morning. I can still taste it.
Not gonna lie, seeing a Costco nearby your week beach vacation spot is actually one of the highlights of the trip.
Can’t wait to blow my diet away when we head to Florida in a few weeks. Going to take advantage of momma bear at the grocery store, trying to roll out of there with two carts full
Leftover steak? That actually happens?
It truly does set the tone for the entire trip. Really need to decide “are we going to load up on the meats or do we want this trip to suck?”
I’ve never been as triggered as I am seeing meat described as “frivolous.” I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life, man
I’ve been assigned the Costco trip for my group vacation on block island RI next week. I’m feeling the pressure.
The summer trip to North Idaho essentials – Stop by the local butcher/bakery for a few cuts of meat and huckleberry pies. Then stop by the only grocery store by the lake to stock up on liquor and every flavor of chip possible. Tortilla, doritos, cheetos, all-dressed lays, funyuns. I’m a big chip guy on vacation.