The New York Times got one right last week, and it wasn't the (poorly sourced, unduly suggestive) story about John McCain and the lady lobbyist.

The paper ran a fine story titled, "Trading the World for a Cabin in the Woods."

A reporter and a friend tramped into the woods of western Massachusetts, and settled into a cabin for three days. The purpose was to get away from work, cell phones, Internet activity and cable TV. Or, as we say, the real world.

And what a great time they had, though the reporter stated she couldn't sleep the first night because it was "too quiet."

They took hikes, played Scrabble and concentrated on the great avocation of cabin life, feeding the fireplace. For the rough dwelling had no heat, water nor indoor plumbing facilities. My kind of place.

At the end of three days she hated to leave because "I had become utterly used to the simplicity." She reported that she graciously carried out her garbage so as not to foul the wilderness, and remarked upon leaving the tiny wooden retreat, "I left only footprints in the snow. But the cabin's mark on me was indelible."

I found it a rewarding and truthful tale. For I agree with myself on at least one point: A cabin in the woods is a great thing, and it's hard to leave when it's time to go back to the "connected" world.

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