{"id":3807,"date":"2010-12-07T18:01:07","date_gmt":"2010-12-07T22:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/?p=3807"},"modified":"2010-12-18T11:41:40","modified_gmt":"2010-12-18T15:41:40","slug":"a-cabin-in-the-woods-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/a-cabin-in-the-woods-2\/","title":{"rendered":"A Cabin in the Woods"},"content":{"rendered":"

Five Year Project Provides 19th<\/sup> Century Respite for 21st<\/sup> Century Souls<\/strong>
\n <\/strong><\/p>\n

Last year, I wrote a short piece<\/span><\/a> on a volunteer project sponsored by the Potomac Application Trail Club, or PATC<\/span><\/a>, to restore a cabin built over a hundred and fifty years ago and long abandoned. \u00a0The cabin is located on the evening side of the Blue Ridge Mountains six miles souteast of Elkton, VA.\u00a0 On October 23 of this year, the dwelling was officially dedicated and placed into the club\u2019s rental system.<\/p>\n

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Argow Cabin 1999<\/p><\/div>\n

With nature grinding away at it, the structure did not have many years left before exposure to the elements would have seen it collapse and slowly return to the mountain soil from which it had risen. \u00a0But today, its future is secured for decades to come, hopefully much longer.\u00a0 We can thank, in part, the almost indestructible Chestnut tree logs and a tin roof for its past and future longevity.<\/p>\n

But we also need to thank the driving force behind the restoration effort, Jeff Testerman.\u00a0 Testerman is a superintendent with a large commercial construction firm in Charlottesville, VA.\u00a0 He used his considerable skills—assisted by a loyal group of some fifteen volunteers—to plan, manage and restore the structure to its original condition and more.\u00a0 The new side deck with a fireplace and sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley would have been much appreciated by the cabin\u2019s original owner, Samuel Eaton.<\/p>\n

Eaton was born around 1828 and married in 1861, after he had built the cabin.\u00a0 The couple had two sons. \u00a0He died in 1896 and is buried in Elkton.\u00a0 Mountain living in the mid-1800s was challenging. \u00a0Even the most basic of supplies required long trips into the valley to buy flour, sugar, coffee and other staples.\u00a0 The last full time residents of the cabin left in the 1960s and the building began its long, slow decline. It did receive some comfort on occasion when hunters took refuge in its decaying shell during deer season.<\/p>\n

The official name of the log home today is Argow Cabin. Keith Argow, with a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in forestry and conservation, sold the cabin and 200 acres to PATC in the 1990s and contributed initial funds to launch the restoration effort.\u00a0 Argow had the vision to see how history could be brought back to life and the club named the cabin in his honor.<\/p>\n

There are thousands of historical properties scattered across the country but few that allow visitors to do more than briefly visit and leave.\u00a0 Yes, you can still sleep in Lincoln\u2019s bedroom in the White House, but knowing the President and making a\u00a0sizable\u00a0campaign contribution would greatly boost your chances of bringing your toothbrush and pajamas and staying the night. \u00a0Imagine sleeping over at Monticello, Lee\u2019s Mansion, or Mount Vernon.\u00a0 Not a chance.<\/p>\n

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Argow Cabin Today<\/p><\/div>\n

But that\u2019s not the case with Argow cabin.\u00a0 PATC members can rent the cabin for a weekend rate of $45 a night and weekdays for just $35. Not a budget breaker given the cost of lodging today.\u00a0 But a cautionary note.\u00a0 This is a rustic property with the emphasis on rustic; there is no electricity, no indoor bathrooms, a seasonal spring and your fridge is that insulated\u00a0lunch\u00a0bag you carried in with you. \u00a0Oh, and if I failed to mention it, you need to hike in just under a mile a mile to reach the front door.<\/p>\n

Yes, history comes with a bit of physical inconvenience.\u00a0 But the rewards of getting reacquainted with yourself, loved ones or friends are multitudinous. \u00a0One additional benefit?\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to worry about your cell phone and Blackberry battery life. \u00a0There is minimal coverage up in the mountains.<\/p>\n

Not yet a member of PATC?\u00a0 Completing a quick online application<\/span><\/a> and payment of an annual $35 membership fee will solve the problem.<\/p>\n

Once you are an official member, you immediately earn extra bonus points.\u00a0 There are thirty-eight other club cabins<\/span><\/a><\/span> available for rent in the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.\u00a0 If you pay, you play.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t, you won\u2019t.<\/p>\n

So let’s sum it up. \u00a0Annual membership: $35. \u00a0Cabin rental: $45 per night. \u00a0Food and gas for the weekend: $100, maybe. \u00a0The experience? \u00a0Priceless.<\/p>\n

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Keith Argow & Jeff Testerman<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Five Year Project Provides 19th Century Respite for 21st Century Souls Last year, I wrote a short piece on a volunteer project sponsored by the Potomac Application Trail Club, or PATC, to restore a cabin built over a hundred and fifty years ago and long abandoned. \u00a0The cabin is located on the evening side of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[5],"tags":[16,74,75,221,204],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n