The Phillips Team, Cottage Real Estate
Many cottagers enjoy each of the four Ontario seasons and the crisp fall weather is often a favourite. As we watch the leaves changing on our drive to the cottage, we are reminded that autumn is upon us and that means cooler weather. Staying warm and dry at the cottage is important during the fall months and warmer clothes, coats, hats and boots are required. This season is perfect for starting a fire in the fireplace or wood stove and curling up under a blanket with a hot drink and great book…or perhaps listening to your favourite tunes. And, for those of us who are water access cottagers, the task of replenishing our wood stock for the fireplace and lakeside sauna is an adventure to say the least.
As with many past seasons, Gary and I ventured out to pick up wood from our neighbour and local firewood supplier, George. For us this means hooking up our small trailer to the back of our four wheeler, bringing our boat with the front landing deck up to our shore and driving the four wheeler and trailer onto the boat. Gary makes sure that everything is positioned properly and my job is to hold the boat. Once we have everything loaded, I put the boat in reverse while Gary valiantly pushes the boat off the shore (some strength is definitely required!). Then, I pick him up at the dock, generally laughing as I try to point and aim our barge-like boat for the dock while Gary watches in amusement. Equipped with our coats, boots, hats and gloves we head over to George’s to begin picking up our firewood. We are happy that today is a beautiful, sunny day.
Picking up the firewood; boat, four-wheeler and trailer
We pull up to the dock and let down the front of the boat, drive off the boat and head over to the large wood pile to begin loading up the trailer. We talk, we visit with George and we share stories. We laugh. After all, the whole process is entertaining. Once we fill up the trailer, we head back to the boat. We try and strategically place the front of the boat so that Gary can back the trailer and four wheeler ontIMG_2966o the boat without much trouble. This year however, it was a little bit tricky. It was windy this year and with that higher water (not that we are complaining!), the incline on the drop deck was a bit too steep. I tried to hold the boat in place and George did his best to provide moral support and strategic direction, however it wasn’t easy. We finally did get the trailer and four wheeler onto the boat and once we rolled up the front landing deck, we were off to our cottage to unload…the first load! We landed on the beach and drove the equipment up to our wood shed and began unloading it and piling it neatly. For those of you who know my husband, this would not be a surprise :)
Before we left for the second load, Gary had already devised a plan to improve our loading situation. He built a couple of small ramps. He loaded them onto the boat with the four wheeler and the trailer and off we went again. The ramps worked great and made backing the trailer and four wheeler onto the boat much more efficient! We repeated this four more times before we completed our task. It took hours, but it was a beautiful day and we spent it together. We talked about the added work that it takes to own a water access property, but in the end we came to the same conclusion that we have for the past many years…it is all worth it!
Understanding the nuances of different cottage lifestyles is very important
But the reality is that unless you are knowledgable about what it takes to own a water access property, it is really hard to even fathom what is involved. We have lived this cottage lifestyle for a long time and we have insights and knowledge that we share with our clients and customers. We understand this aspect of cottage living because we live it! And now, I think that I will pick up a great book, grab a blanket and cozy up by the fire.
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