The landscape of a beach is etched not over eons but in hours and days. At low tide you can read what recently was in the patterns of hard-packed sand —in ripples and ridges, swirls and scalloped layers, slow curves and slicing washes.
A backcountry cabin with a working wood stove makes a great overnight stop at the end of a day on skis. One thing about wood stoves, though. Small spaces and low ceilings mean folks who draw upper bunk-beds will soon shed their sleeping bags, and those down below will welcome any dogs willing to double as foot warmers.