Operation: Relax

Eight good friends, one cozy, moon-lit cabin, a sauna, and of course, Predator on DVD; I really couldn’t have asked for a better night.

We get to the same snow laden driveway I remember from last time; the snow still there, our tracks long gone. Park the car, gather supplies (the ones we hadn’t forgot, that is), form a line and start trekking. It’s not all that far of a hike, just a little knob overlooking what must be a gorgeous lake in the day, then down to the cabin nestled in the trees below. It was a clear night, the sky lit up like the largest Lite-Brite you’ve ever seen, and the sounds of laughter and shoes with duct taped trash bags make the only noise for miles.

It was the usual routine when we finally got down the hill; someone starts heating the sauna, a few bicker over who can make the best fire, and I start looking for food. At about the same time the cabin begins to heat up, the sauna is ready and we’re out the door like soldiers in a drop zone.

Get in, close the door, and spend the next hour replacing school worries with laughter and relaxation. It’s like an instant gateway to paradise, a short period of time where the only requirement is getting comfortable and having a good time.

When our 60 minutes free of stress, professors, and homework have run dry, it’s the same walk back into the house where fresh clothes, food, water, and Predator await. We end the night by getting the Subaru unstuck since we had plowed our way up as far as possible on the initial ascent. One shovel, lots of helping hands, and plenty of tire spin, we made our way back to safe ground and headed home to school, refreshed, happy, and about to be reminded of all the work we didn’t do yet…