Category: #elk

So Let’s Get to The Point

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How has it been more than 3 years since I’ve written a blog post? Oh! I know! We’ve had a global pandemic, renovated a 4 bedroom farmhouse in Weedville that was originally built in 1864 (with a random school bus abandoned in the woods), and built a new 2 bedroom cabin in Benezette (that we meant to build in 2020). We met a really cool race car driver and started sponsoring a race car, and then, we spent two busy Rut seasons running 3 cabins by ourselves! Right. That’s kept us busy!

We have been so blessed to have guests that have stayed with us through all of that excitement. I’ve been surprised to hear that a lot of you have read all of the blog posts (Deb W, Tim F, Andy L, Dad, Edgar, I’m looking at you [and, thanks for reading!]) and want to hear more about the adventures of remodeling an old house, and building a new one with supply chain issues. While some of it I’d rather forget (carpeted bathrooms and 20 week lead times for doors and windows), it’s all turned out great (at least we think so based on our returning guests!).

Over the next few months, I’ll be blogging about these projects to give you a behind the scenes look at just how glamorous building, renovating and renting vacation cabins can be. I hope you’ll enjoy our stories as much as you enjoy our cabins and as much as we enjoy hearing your stories when you rent an In The Sticks Cabins cabin.

I’m on a Boat!

We’ve got more than just elk viewing!

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Well, I was. On Saturday morning-ish. The husband and I have not been putting our kayaks to good use in the past 5-9 years (roughly). So, with great weather in the forecast, we decided to take a tour of the Bennett’s Branch of the Sinnemahonig Creek.

I originally wanted to start behind the Benezette store and head to the bridge by the Driftwood Saloon. The husband and I thought this was a great idea. However, my sister-in-law (SIL) and the little niece decided they were going to join us. They were hesitant about such a long trip. Upon further research, we realized it was a 9 hour paddle. So, we took a shorter trip.

  • Actual Kayak Trip Finish
  • Desired Kayak Trip Start to Finish

Less than 10 minutes into our trip, we saw a small elk herd on the side of the creek. Imagine our excitement to see a bull with non-typical antler growth. This guy’s antlers grew straight out! I’ve heard of him (Bullwinkle) and a bull that is supposedly his father (Handlebars).

Some online research tells me that Non-typical antler growth can be caused by genetics, hormone levels or injury – so the thought that this guy is the progeny of another straight out antlers bull isn’t out of the question!

On Friday night while we were out for an evening cruise, a bear ran across the road in front of us, and right up an apple tree. We were shocked to see him there again on Saturday night. This time, he had a friend (a raccoon)!

  • That’s a raccoon in the top right corner!

To round out our weekend full of wildlife – we had a nice little elk crew in the yard on Sunday morning. It was a great weekend and they’re just going to keep getting better. I’m certain I heard two bugles (the husband says not), and with Elk Expo coming up this weekend, that means it’s almost Fall, ya’ll!

Shake, Rattle & Roll

This weekend we bought some stuff, saw some elk, oh, and a few snakes…

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The 100 Mile Yard Sale did not disappoint! We shopped for hours on Friday morning, bringing home a wrought-iron patio table and chair set, some huge home grown tomatoes, a chainsaw sharpener and some spools of wire. (Go ahead and guess what I bought versus what the husband bought.) The heat was no joke, my friends. The minute you stepped out of the car, you were dripping sweat.

The heat kept the wildlife tucked safely in the forest during the day, with the exception of the few brave souls I was able to grab some pictures of.

This toad was being shy!

Later that same day, I was heading inside when something in a similar location on the deck caught my eye.

“There’s a snake under the porch”, I said to my husband. Then we both realized, it was a RATTLESNAKE!

Holy. Freakin. Gosh. I don’t like snakes. I get it, they’re important to the ecosystem, they control mice and what have you – but they give me the shivers.

This guy (girl? I don’t know. Turns out determining the sex of a rattlesnake is a job for a professional. It involves a probe – so, no thanks. I’m saying this was a guy.) didn’t stay long. We saw him slithering (eww, even the word gives me the shivers) into the backyard.

He didn’t seem to know we were there at all, he didn’t rattle or become defensive, so that’s a good sign. We’ll be sure to be diligent coming in and out of the house now for sure!

We saw a few elk in the evening (my evening photography skills leave a lot to be desired, so hang tight) and some deer.

But the snakes, my gosh the snakes. We saw a few squashed on the Quehanna Highway, heading out of Benezette on Sunday night too.

There was a gentleman out of his car photographing a rattlesnake as it crossed the road. That snake was NOT interested in being photographed, so I got to hear him rattle!

We had our first guests in The Sapling this weekend. They also encountered some rattlers while they were out hiking.

Until next time – have a good week and keep your eyes open!

The Beat Goes On

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The weather in Benezette has been perfect for wildlife viewing. However, the wildlife are being less than cooperative at In The Sticks Cabins.

The flowers on the other hand! Well, they’ve come to play ball! I’ve found two in the backyard and learned a little about them (this is where you get to learn too!):

This is Scarlet Beebalm.

Scarlet Beebalm is a member of the mint family and was used by the Oswego Native Americans to make tea from the leaves. The Beebalm is pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds (which! Yay! I have got to get a hummingbird feeder!) and butterflies.

This appears to be a Blazing Star.

The Blazing Star can grow to be SIX. FEET. TALL!! They also attract butterflies, bumble bees and hummingbirds! Native Americans used it to treat swelling and snake bites. I’ll see if I can get in any closer and get a better picture, now that I know more.

We did get to see the momma deer and the fawns who are living out back – turns out they have a whole little posse back there. Look at the party they were having next door!

  • Party Animals
  • Momma Don’t Play

This coming weekend is the 100 Mile Yard Sale. The sale runs through Clearfield, Cameron and Elk county but is headquartered in Karthaus. Participants are asked to pay $10 and display their official participant sign. We’ve set up the past two years and continue to be blown away at how far people travel to attend. Last year we met a mother and daughter who drove from Michigan!

This year, there are 95 participants listed in the directory! We’re going to take a small lap this year and see what we can find.

We’re also welcoming our first guests this weekend! So, that’s the most exiting part for us! I’ll be working on getting an upcoming events page on our website – but for those of you wondering when you should come – the answer is always! There is always something to do in Benezette, even if it’s just sit on the front porch!

She Works Down at The Snake Farm

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What a busy, busy weekend in Benezette! The 50th Annual Snake Hunt at the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club was going on all weekend long so we checked that out on Saturday. Then, we headed over to the Elk Country Visitor Center to check out the arts & craft festival.

  • Just sitting here. Being a snake. ugh.
  • This is a piece of slate! Thanks to the MIL for picking this out at the festival!

Then it was back to the cabin for official cabin business. For me, that’s finishing touches. I’ve gotten most of the art on the walls, made the beds and started putting away the pots and pans and dishes!

Living Room

Bedrooms

Kitchen & Bath

The husband has been fighting with digging the final power line for the sewer system. Two weeks ago he busted the scoop off of the bracket that holds it to the skid steer. He got that welded back on but now the hydraulics are acting up. He finally broke down and rented a little Ditch Witch (which, come on, how fun is that to say!) and got it dug and the lines run. We’ll see if she powers up this weekend.

It’s almost rental time folks! If you haven’t yet, join our mailing list so you’re in the know!

Finally – we saw quite a bit of wildlife on our escapades.

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