I’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to communal housing and I never know what to expect. Group situations can easily be some of the best times of your life (like SCA New Hampshire Corps’ magical cabins) or it could be simply mediocre. If luck isn’t on your side, it could be straight up awful.
Currently I’m staying in a government bunkhouse which is conveniently located in the same compound as the office and various shops and garages. It has the capacity to house 12 seasonal workers in six bedrooms with two beds per room. The beds have the option of being bunked to create more space but I left mine separate.
A sleeping bag, flannel/vest pillow, and bed sheet. I’m all set.
This summer we had six folks in the bunkhouse, five men and myself. Three were Minnesota natives while another was from Illinois and a the fifth a Coloradan. We all happen to be students at various stages in our college try with most of us graduating this upcoming spring. I lucked out this year with a seasonals all the chill side and hardly any conflicts to speak of. Although we all purchased and cooked our own meals, occasionally we would go to the local watering hole, The Pond, or into Bemidji for dinner.
For entertainment there’s a ridiculous amount of movie watching. I’m thankful that no one is a huge fan of horror or thrillers since I’m easily spooked.
The Princess Bride
There’s also a massive amount of fishing which entails a filleting process whenever they boys return from a trip. Fishing trips normally took place after work during on a weekday so I generally opted out since my bedtime was earlier than most.
Not even close to catch limit.
Art (foreground) is a filleting pro.
With six seasonals working in different departments, our bedtimes and morning alarms were staggered. Lets just say the walls in the bunkhouse are excessively thin but I tend to be a heavy sleeper. The problem was falling asleep in the first place.
This hallway gets spooky at night when you’re alone.
Communal living is great because you have an automatic social circle (or just as easily, people you don’t get along with). Asides from random dinners together or trips to the grocery stores, we’ll help celebrate someone’s 21st birthday on a work night.
We lost count of drinks. Happy birthday, Ben!
Plenty of naps take place in quiet Blackduck.
Zack atop a picnic bench because ticks.
A decent amount of baking as well.
Even saving a kitten left on the highway shoulder!
The capture and relocation of a woodchuck.
Root beer keg for what seemed like endless floats.
Lee starting the wild bunkhouse kegger.
The fields across Highway 71 sport magnificent sunsets that my photograph doesn’t do justice.
It’s just me and Lee now. My days are numbered and I’ll be leaving Blackduck in less than two weeks. I haven’t started counting down by days but the day that I bus back down to Minneapolis will be seem like a surprise sure enough. Things are quieter than they’ve already been, we were never much of a rowdy group. This season with Jarrod, Art, Ben, Lee, and Zack has been a relaxed one and that’s an interesting way to have experienced my summer.
Living room
My food cabinet in a state of disarray.
One of two bathrooms.
July hail storm.
My room
Trusty backpack and chacos.
Pacific Northwest meets Minnesota 