The cabin did not come with linens which wasn't a problem for me. I gathered up my faux-fur throws and blankets and made a very rustic-looking, and luxurious-feeling bed. I brought a small suitcase and also my work bag because, technically, this was ...

FORT SILL, Okla. (Feb. 11, 2016) -- "Bring your sweetheart to LETRA for a weekend away."

Those words jumped out at me as I scanned my emails last week. After weeks of what felt like non-stop stress, a weekend away sounded wonderful. I called my husband immediately and a few days later we loaded up our car and headed to Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area.

I've been to LETRA numerous times covering events, but never noticed cabins. I picked up our key and headed to cabin 3 feeling the stress of the world fall behind me. Let me say this about our cabin: Our view was fantastic. Our patio looked out over a still lake and to the right was Mount Scott. Two Canada geese (those pretty black, grey and white ones) served as our greeters as we unloaded the car and made ourselves comfortable in the cabin.

We had a small cabin which featured a living room/kitchen combo complete with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, sink, TV and futon. There were also dishes, a small table with two chairs and dish soap (a small but very happy convenience). The rest of the cabin consisted of a separate bedroom with a dresser and sink, and a bathroom with a standup shower and toilet. Not a bad deal, especially for the price ($65 for military and $75 for non-military).

I will admit, while I'm not above staying at a Motel 6, in general I am a hotel snob. I will unashamedly spend two or three times more on a hotel just because the bathroom is glorious or if the hotel happens to come with a free manager's social hour (complete with free cocktails). That said, this is an instance where being "unfancy" is acceptable. People don't go to a cabin expecting to have a turndown service. I'm not glamping. I'm camping.

OK, maybe I did do my best to glam it up a little (don't judge me). The website said linens were no longer provided which was fine by me. I had extravagant plans! I piled up five or six faux-fur blankets, three fleece throws, a quilt and two pillows for a princess-and-the-pea-styled bed. It was glorious but a bit impractical, so I took it down a notch and used two faux-fur blankets and the two pillows on the bed.

With night closing in, we turned the heater on and dove into the three boxes of pizza, taquitos, cheese sauce, chips and Mountain Dew we brought with us for our cabin feast (I may be small, but I love food). Even though the cabin came with a TV, we decided this would be a time to unplug. We talked, fed the geese, skipped rocks, took pictures of the beautiful sunset. I brought two Sudoku books (we are nerds, so what?) and, with my husband having a test for one of his college classes the following Monday evening, we studied. Well, he studied. I fell asleep around 10 p.m. It was glorious.

7:30 a.m. never felt so good as the sun began to peek through the blinds in the cabin. I took a quick look out of the window to see the golden hue of the sun warming Mount Scott. Gorgeous. The colors were almost as beautiful as the sunset the night before. I found myself wishing the weather were just a touch warmer so I could sit on the front porch overlooking the lake with a hot tea and a good book. I made a mental note to come back in the summer.

I could easily see my 9-year-old claiming the top loft-bed of one of the larger cabins they have at LETRA and I could imagine my husband showing our 2-year-old son how to make s'mores. The cabins are near each other making possible a group trip. I suggested we come back this summer with of our friends to hang out and let our children enjoy time outside by the water looking for frogs or catching fireflies.

Those who are childless, or just want something more romantic (maybe for Valentine's Day) a stay at the cabins is perfect. It's private and the view is beautiful. Make the evening special with a simple home-made dinner (or bring one to-go from your favorite restaurant), a bottle of wine and watch the sunset together. Talk about romantic.

Added bonus: This Valentine's Day weekend you can pay for one night and get the second night free. That means you can have a weekend for as low as $65. (At the time of publication there were still cabins available.) The cabins are affordable, too. The largest cabin sleeps eight people and costs $85 a night for military ($95 for non-military). While the summer activities are more exciting with the swimming area, water slides, kayaking and canoeing, there are year-round activities as well. Fishing, disc golf, biking and hiking can be done any time of the year in addition to simple camping activities such as going on scavenger hunts, telling ghost stories, corn hole, tag, playing card games, cloud watching, going on a photo safari. The possibilities are endless.

For more information on the cabins at LETRA visit: www.adv-travel.com/ letra-cabins-reservations.html.