Rare Form Holiday: the Wild Goose of Washburn
Rare Form Holiday- The seasonality of Minnesota is truly what engages us all, and provides such a dramatic difference for our region compared to others. Our passion of Minnesota lakes began in childhood, transitioning the core principles of Rare Form in Mpls, to the classic cabins of Northern Minnesota, all with respect to Waterways worthy of the Purveyors who desire to migrate north.
The Mcglynn’s wrote the book on upnorth lake living. Starting in the 80s, Tim sought to escape the bustle of Minneapolis and create an escape for his two young boys Patrick & Charlie. An avid motorsport enthusiast, they were drawn back then to proximity of BIR speedway, to attend Sportbike & Porsche circuit racing that fueled the adrenaline of Tim in his 80’s zest for burning rubber and grabbing gears.
Enter the mid 80’s, many lakes were considered, however the allure of channeled waterways and dynamic variations in chained lakes became the eventual focus. Tim decided on the Whitefish Chain in Crosslake with a pile of buddies that all wanted cabins for the incoming offspring. Back then, affordability was off the charts, they seized the moment, average investment in the 80s was 100-150k for prime setting and sprawling shoreline sites.
They settled on Trout Lake, where the brothers became true American lake rats. Stand-up jet skis were the first toy to rattle the community, as water patrolmen arrived frequently to police the young brothers who raced the chain early and often. towboat sports began around age 6, entrenching the sport of slalom skiing was a great way to stay sharp year around for the alpine season, later into life the waterski became more prevalent form of adrenaline itch than winter downhill.
The methodologies of the family and their relation to the lake life was inspiring through all seasons. Docks and lifts were first-in, and last-out, leaf and pine needle cleanup was consistent, boats were maintained and kept spotless clean after heavy usage on weekends. Above ground fuel tank was installed to lower the footprint of running fuel to the docks, this allowed for cost and usage savings. Tree conservation was established early, planting pines on the annual became the norm to ensure the forest remained thick.
Lake Lineage moves North.
Charlie & Lindsey McGlynn married in 2016, and made quick work of cultivating a cabin life of their own. They landed the Goose of Washburn in the frigid January of 2020. We alerted them of the opportunity as the Cass County chains are some we have targeted since 2012, touring the lakes up there and seeing so much wild shoreline and approachability financial entry point in comparison to more popular lakes.
The Goose was built in 1975, and has all the makings of a future wooded solitude. Established secrecy is evident at the onset of entering the region, a mystical dirt winding through thick brush, low-land cattails and smaller lakes on its way to the coved, west facing site of the Goose. This entry has a Gunflint trail feel, one that still offers the wild rawness of protected natural habitats. The drive into the chain is never without company of Turkeys, Deer, Beavers, Muskrat & the wildest: Mud People on their ATVs :)
We first arrived in the winter, with design maven Deidre Webster, who was coveting a cabin for her family and one to offer to Mpls as vacation rental. It was clear after our brisk winterized tour, the Goose had the makings of champion clubhouse getaway. Her lot slopes gently to the waters edge, shoreline is private and flat facing a protected bay that is straight west for golden hour and vistas worth cherishing.
The interior is classic and minimal, with the right amount of disco era charm. Main floor bath, bedroom and laundry with potential for a proper mudroom entry. The fireplace is stone mason approved with blowers and perfect placement for social layout of dining into living looking out on the pine shoreline. The living room opens to dining and kitchen, while walking out to lakeside screen porch and deck.
Charlie was licking his design-build lips upon securing the final contract (a project manager by trade) following closing they quickly turned to Architect Tommy Everson to begin drawings on a full southern side shed dormer to accomodate a cozier bedroom quarters, the design also incorporated essentially a complete above ground renovation that added walls of large scale paned Marvin windows to bring the outdoors inside. No expense was spared, the only misstep- the urgency in timing! It was our advice to use the site for a season before delivering dumpsters, however their urgency was understood, as Design in Rare Form’s renderings were aww inspiring to begin demo in the spring.
The finished product is taking shape, Charlie has flawlessly managed the build process from demo to framing to final drywall which just happened mid september. The Marvin window order gave the cabin the light filled space that is impossible to find without creating for yourself. We assisted in applying Vulkem sealant to the exterior, and several gentleman workdays happened to get the project on schedule for trade deadlines.
Charlie & Lindsey are planning to finish the interiuor trim, tile and finishes in the winter of 2021. Stay tuned for final photos from our G. Gregori!
