The long winter up here makes summer premium outdoor activity. So much so that I refuse to stop adventuring summer style well into the fall. In this tale, I am challenging myself to share an immersive autumn cottage getaway to cottage wilderness through only 8 photos!
The Cottage
You know when you find yourself lucky enough to have a privilege that really shouldn't be afforded to you? Not that you don't deserve it but you have not earned it from the results of your decisions. The cottage I get to visit regularly is that to me and I am challenged to share our latest trip in 8 picture or less.
After the long drive, I make it a point to walk right to the deck and look over the lake that feeds itself right to our toes. I can feel the wieght of it as I breathe in the clean air and shed the mantle of regular schedule and duty.
After we settle in and enjoy a meal, I pillage the wood pile and build a fire to warm and entertain in the cool autumn night. No televisions, no plans to hit the town, just a couple pints beside the fire to make my clothes smell like campfire as the stars brighten in the clear darkening sky.
Speaking of beers, a card-carrying beerologist wouldn't think to visit the cottage without a few pints! If you would like to delve deeper into the local craft beer adventure up in this particular region of cottage country, feel free to visit HERE! I just love visiting the my favourite of the craft breweries in the area and fuel up for a couple days lakeside.
October brings Canadian Thanksgiving over a month before the much larger spectacle holiday to the south in the USA. Scattered warm and sunny days encourage us that summer is not waning so fast and then the cool nights remind us winter is on the way. The forecast showed relatively mild daytime highs but promised a little cool rain as well. Happy to put on a layer and enjoy watching the sun try and break through the clouds over the lake. Quiet this time of year as many have losed their cottages for the year.
Thew fall is just as perfect for a paddle on the lake. We took the boat out to travel around the bend to a neighbouring camp fire and out to the dock for a cold final swim of the year. The colours are thrilling and the mallards seem to be delaying their migration south.
Sitting on the edge of the lake toward the end of our short stay in one of our happy places, it is so nice to be close to wild life. The mallards happily tip down to feast on the late season weeds. Blue Jays swoop down to snap up some of the peanuts we leave on the rails. We can hear the loons call over the lake like in some classic Canadian commercial.
After a refreshing weekend of relaxation, family feast, out door lounging and that last cold plunge of the season, I look back at the cottage. With all the preparations made to close it down for the year, it will sit peacevully as the snow piles up and nature takes it back for a season. Happy for the time spent, hopeful for some more next year, and grateful for the opportunity to return here to celebrate an escape with family.
A few extra moments lingering at the edge of the lake, drinking in the clean air while surrounded by fantastic colours.
One last picture from my happy place to share with the world. I am sure there are wonderful places like this all around the world. While many will never get to visit Canada, I am happy for those who will have the opportunity. I hope they find a place like this and discover a few reasons I love being here so much.
Thank you for joining me for one last weekend before winter!