Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Spring is here, and that means it’s time for our first cabin trip of the season. Getting ready isn’t just a matter of throwing a few things in a bag and heading out. There’s food to prep, gear to sort, and a whole list of things to pack that we hauled home for winter. I started by freezing up some leftover hamburgers from last weekend, then moved on to making healthy oatmeal cookies—something easy to tuck into a backpack for quick energy when we’re out fishing. Salmon patties were next, simple and hearty, just like my mother used to make. Todd likes his with tartar sauce. I grew up eating them with white gravy over rice. I’ve given up trying to change his mind on that.
Packing for the cabin is a mix of planning ahead and making do. Water jugs need to go back up, but we’ll keep them in the truck for now. The big marine battery for the shower gets a full charge before it makes the trip. Chainsaws, fuel, air compressor, and power stations—spring trips mean clearing trails as much as they mean relaxing. There’s always something that winter tried to reclaim.
I finally found a pair of fishing waders at a quarter of the price they’d be new. I’d seen the ones at the store, balked at the cost, and turned to the trusted marketplace of secondhand bargains. They’re in good shape, and they even came with boots. We’ve been watching the fish at the dam near the cabin, keeping an eye on them through a live webcam, counting down the days until we can be there ourselves.
Food is simple—pork chops, steaks, burgers, a bit of coleslaw left from the kids’ dinner, and some breakfast sausage. Not much in the way of sides, just enough to keep things easy. The cabin fridge runs off battery power, and I’ve got it mapped out so we can stretch it five days if needed. There’s something satisfying about making do with what you have, about planning ahead so that once we’re there, we can simply be there.
Tomorrow, I’ll water the chickens, finish packing, and we’ll head out. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to get away without spending a fortune or relying on takeout, I hope this gives you a few ideas. There’s a way to do this that’s simple, affordable, and keeps you connected to the things that matter. Follow along with us at Todd and Rachel for more cabin adventures. See you up there.
You can follow our Cabin Adventures on our 2nd YouTube channel: youtube.com/@UCMwGocEoQU_xILUm6a62C9g ♥
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👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
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Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
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Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
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00:00 Introduction and Cabin Trip Prep
00:05 Packing Leftover Hamburgers and Making Snacks
00:43 Meal Prep for Travel and Stocking Food
02:06 Tea Blends for Health and Wellness
02:47 Buying Second-Hand Fishing Waders
04:23 Travel Meal Tips and Easy Taco Salad Idea
10:04 Packing Water and Power Equipment for the Cabin
15:44 Chainsaws and Trail Clearing Prep
18:49 Choosing and Packing Meals for the Trip
21:18 Picking Up Fishing Waders and Saving Money
23:22 Watching Fish at the Dam and Fishing Plans
24:31 Final Preparations and Homestead Care Before Leaving
Spring is here, and that means it’s time for our first cabin trip of the season. Getting ready isn’t just a matter of throwing a few things in a bag and heading out. There’s food to prep, gear to sort, and a whole list of things to pack that we hauled home for winter. I started by freezing up some leftover hamburgers from last weekend, then moved on to making healthy oatmeal cookies—something easy to tuck into a backpack for quick energy when we’re out fishing. Salmon patties were next, simple and hearty, just like my mother used to make. Todd likes his with tartar sauce. I grew up eating them with white gravy over rice. I’ve given up trying to change his mind on that.
Packing for the cabin is a mix of planning ahead and making do. Water jugs need to go back up, but we’ll keep them in the truck for now. The big marine battery for the shower gets a full charge before it makes the trip. Chainsaws, fuel, air compressor, and power stations—spring trips mean clearing trails as much as they mean relaxing. There’s always something that winter tried to reclaim.
I finally found a pair of fishing waders at a quarter of the price they’d be new. I’d seen the ones at the store, balked at the cost, and turned to the trusted marketplace of secondhand bargains. They’re in good shape, and they even came with boots. We’ve been watching the fish at the dam near the cabin, keeping an eye on them through a live webcam, counting down the days until we can be there ourselves.
Food is simple—pork chops, steaks, burgers, a bit of coleslaw left from the kids’ dinner, and some breakfast sausage. Not much in the way of sides, just enough to keep things easy. The cabin fridge runs off battery power, and I’ve got it mapped out so we can stretch it five days if needed. There’s something satisfying about making do with what you have, about planning ahead so that once we’re there, we can simply be there.
Tomorrow, I’ll water the chickens, finish packing, and we’ll head out. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to get away without spending a fortune or relying on takeout, I hope this gives you a few ideas. There’s a way to do this that’s simple, affordable, and keeps you connected to the things that matter. Follow along with us at Todd and Rachel for more cabin adventures. See you up there.
You can follow our Cabin Adventures on our 2nd YouTube channel: youtube.com/@UCMwGocEoQU_xILUm6a62C9g ♥
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Introduction and Cabin Trip Prep
00:05 Packing Leftover Hamburgers and Making Snacks
00:43 Meal Prep for Travel and Stocking Food
02:06 Tea Blends for Health and Wellness
02:47 Buying Second-Hand Fishing Waders
04:23 Travel Meal Tips and Easy Taco Salad Idea
10:04 Packing Water and Power Equipment for the Cabin
15:44 Chainsaws and Trail Clearing Prep
18:49 Choosing and Packing Meals for the Trip
21:18 Picking Up Fishing Waders and Saving Money
23:22 Watching Fish at the Dam and Fishing Plans
24:31 Final Preparations and Homestead Care Before Leaving
