Author Jill Dawson has shared an account of her year living in a remote mountain cabin in Washington State, a decision made in her mid-twenties that involved embracing a life off-grid with her then-partner and infant son. The experience, which began in 1988, was inspired by a desire for solitude and simplicity, influenced by literary works like "Little House On The Prairie" and "On Walden Pond."
Dawson, then 26, and her partner Stewart, an American she had known for only a few months, purchased the log cabin and seven acres of woodland in the Okanagan Valley for approximately £4,500. Their plan was to live as frugally as possible, with Stewart offering mechanical and carpentry services locally, and Dawson focusing on her writing. The cabin, located on Mount Hull a few miles south of the Canadian border, was basic, with no glass in the windows initially and a rudimentary outdoor shower. Their electricity came from a generator, and water was fetched from a nearby well, which later required a barrel to be brought from town after dead chipmunks were found in it.
The remote setting presented immediate challenges and wonders. Their first night was marked by the unfamiliar sounds of coyotes and a close encounter with a cougar, evidenced by prints found on their deck the following morning. Dawson described the isolation as profound, noting the absence of the internet and mobile phones. Food was purchased weekly from a store seven miles away, and without a refrigerator, they relied on a coolbox and tinned goods.
Dawson’s focus was on adapting to the environment and on her writing. She learned to identify local flora and fauna and prepared for the harsh winters by insulating the cabin and stockpiling firewood. The cabin’s lavatory was a small wooden outbuilding, and bathing occurred in a tin tub on the deck, with water heated over a barrel stove. Their son, Lewis, spent his days exploring the natural surroundings, often naked and unbored, engaging in activities like digging and chasing chipmunks.
This period of solitude, Dawson writes, was essential for her creative process and personal well-being. She documented her experiences in diaries, which later informed her writing, including her first novel, "Trick Of The Light." Despite the challenges, she found the experience of living in close connection with nature invaluable. She noted that she did not miss the hustle and bustle of city life, finding a deep appreciation for silence and introspection.
The relationship with Stewart, however, did not endure. Dawson states that they had known each other for only a few months before her pregnancy, and their incompatibility led to continuous arguments. After just over a year in the cabin, Dawson returned to England with Lewis to rebuild their lives independently. She described leaving the place as harder than leaving Stewart.
Stewart continues to live in the cabin. Dawson visited him with a 28-year-old Lewis approximately nine years ago. Reflecting on the experience, Dawson, now 64, emphasizes that she has no regrets, crediting the cabin with teaching her what she loves most: reading, writing, thinking, and silence. She has since lived for 25 years in the Cambridgeshire Fens with her architect husband, embracing what she calls her talent for solitude.