Cottage Oasis
Each lake has its own ambience
Is there a better place to go than a country cottage by a lake? You will be hard pressed to get a negative response to this question, and really what’s not to like. The thought of a vacation by a lake brings many images rushing to mind and cottages have an ambience about them that is divine and serene.
The children feel like they have landed in Peter Pan’s never never land, especially if they have never been to one before. It’s hard to wipe the smile off of their faces when you arrive. They are filled with wonder as soon as the car door swings open and they rush to the water’s edge to see what awaits them. There are bugs, birds and animals simply never seen before but make no mistake, the main attraction is the lake.
Even adults have a great sense of relief when they are unpacking the car and checking out their new digs for a week or more. The grin on their face increases as they take the gear and groceries into the cottage. It’s tantalizing scoping out the cottage and spotting a chair overlooking the water that looks comfortable. And it’s not hard to imagine sitting on it the next morning having a coffee or tea.
Cottages offer so much, but the mood of them cannot be emphasized enough. When you are done getting organized it’s nice to investigate the outdoors to take in the feeling.
The trees along the edge of the lake provide a charming mood unequaled in the city because they go as far as the eyes can see. The cottage air has a certain fresh smell and the breeze simply makes the experience better. If you pay attention, there will be shrubs along the shore that not only look different, but if you softly touch them and smell your hands, they offer a unique lovely smell of their own.
The children feel like they have landed in Peter Pan’s never never land, especially if they have never been to one before. It’s hard to wipe the smile off of their faces when you arrive. They are filled with wonder as soon as the car door swings open and they rush to the water’s edge to see what awaits them. There are bugs, birds and animals simply never seen before but make no mistake, the main attraction is the lake.
Even adults have a great sense of relief when they are unpacking the car and checking out their new digs for a week or more. The grin on their face increases as they take the gear and groceries into the cottage. It’s tantalizing scoping out the cottage and spotting a chair overlooking the water that looks comfortable. And it’s not hard to imagine sitting on it the next morning having a coffee or tea.
Cottages offer so much, but the mood of them cannot be emphasized enough. When you are done getting organized it’s nice to investigate the outdoors to take in the feeling.
The trees along the edge of the lake provide a charming mood unequaled in the city because they go as far as the eyes can see. The cottage air has a certain fresh smell and the breeze simply makes the experience better. If you pay attention, there will be shrubs along the shore that not only look different, but if you softly touch them and smell your hands, they offer a unique lovely smell of their own.
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One of the most relaxing aspects of a cottage is gazing over the lake and
listening to the sound of the water hitting the shore. On a windy day, placing a chair strategically underneath a tree close to the lake is like taking a sleeping tonic. The peaceful, tranquil environment will soon envelop you as you try to quietly read a book and soon find yourself in dream land. |
A full day at the cottage is sure to make the kids sleep at night so soundly you will wish it was always that easy. And at night there is nothing like a bonfire to end the day with a few marshmallows and wieners to go along with some great stories around the campfire.
During the course of a day, swimming and playing in the water is the main event. The kids take to the water like a butterfly to the air. A bonus is a sandy beach, where small children will use their toys to dig in the sand and make marvellous castles. Their eyes light up as they gaze beneath the water and catch glimpses of small fish. Splashing in the water, or silently following, they try to corner them, catch them, and chase them to see them closer. They can spend hours doing this. If any fish are caught, it’s always a good idea to encourage the kids to let them go within a short period of time. This will teach respect for nature to the children and they can go catch some more.
Perhaps the next best item on the list of things to do at the cottage is to go fishing. Care must be taken to ensure what nature provides is not taken for granted for future generations, so teaching your kids this value is a great step.
When a child fishes for the first time they are filled with joy. It’s fun to watch the look on their face when the rod bends and they have a fish. Always wet your hand with water before handling a fish so you do not damage them. When the fish is brought out of the water, take the hook out quickly and release the fish. Most small fish caught by children should be released, and bring a camera, so you will have memories of their first big catch.
Many adults revolve a cottage trip around some serious fishing.
During the course of a day, swimming and playing in the water is the main event. The kids take to the water like a butterfly to the air. A bonus is a sandy beach, where small children will use their toys to dig in the sand and make marvellous castles. Their eyes light up as they gaze beneath the water and catch glimpses of small fish. Splashing in the water, or silently following, they try to corner them, catch them, and chase them to see them closer. They can spend hours doing this. If any fish are caught, it’s always a good idea to encourage the kids to let them go within a short period of time. This will teach respect for nature to the children and they can go catch some more.
Perhaps the next best item on the list of things to do at the cottage is to go fishing. Care must be taken to ensure what nature provides is not taken for granted for future generations, so teaching your kids this value is a great step.
When a child fishes for the first time they are filled with joy. It’s fun to watch the look on their face when the rod bends and they have a fish. Always wet your hand with water before handling a fish so you do not damage them. When the fish is brought out of the water, take the hook out quickly and release the fish. Most small fish caught by children should be released, and bring a camera, so you will have memories of their first big catch.
Many adults revolve a cottage trip around some serious fishing.
Chipmunks are very friendly
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Fun in the water
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It’s a great feeling to get out on the lake in a boat and enjoy this popular past time. Trolling along and quietly chatting while taking in the shoreline is a great way to end the day; or going to a great fishing spot and casting away using different techniques to trick the fish into biting. Many a fish story was spawned out of these vacations. If you do keep the fish to eat, make sure it is in season and not during their spawning time, but practicing catch and release fishing is a good idea.
Chances are good that you will see or hear many interesting animals you have never seen
before as well. At night, the call of the loon and wolves howling will bring your imagination to life. If you are lucky the whippoorwill will sing not too far away from the cottage and you can drift off to sleep. In the day snakes may slither close by, and you may even see a turtle propped up on a log. Lakes have so much life in them it really is incredible.
Don’t forget cottages are in the wilderness, so care should always be taken not to leave trash outside or dog dishes with food. This will attract unwanted curious or hungry animals to your expanse and could cause problems, so just be smart about it and everything will be fine.
Sometimes when on vacation at a cottage the weather doesn’t always cooperate. For those days make sure you bring some board games from home. It’s a good way to reconnect with the kids and have fun while doing it. Even if it doesn’t rain, board games are great to play at night before bed.
The rain, especially at night, can bring very sound sleeps. Because cottages are usually not insulated like houses, hearing the rain on the roof is wonderful. It will soon have you drifting off to dreamland. In fact, the fresh air will not only help you sleep better, but it also increases the appetite as well. Kids will come in from playing and usually eat without a fuss. There is something about the country air that brings out the best in people.
Another idea for the rainy days is to visit the closest town you went through to get to the cottage. There are usually little surprises in each town and some unique shops that will have interesting items not found in the city.
A cottage oasis to awaken the senses is a wonderful way to spend lazy summer days vacationing with the family. The sweet memories will last a lifetime.
Chances are good that you will see or hear many interesting animals you have never seen
before as well. At night, the call of the loon and wolves howling will bring your imagination to life. If you are lucky the whippoorwill will sing not too far away from the cottage and you can drift off to sleep. In the day snakes may slither close by, and you may even see a turtle propped up on a log. Lakes have so much life in them it really is incredible.
Don’t forget cottages are in the wilderness, so care should always be taken not to leave trash outside or dog dishes with food. This will attract unwanted curious or hungry animals to your expanse and could cause problems, so just be smart about it and everything will be fine.
Sometimes when on vacation at a cottage the weather doesn’t always cooperate. For those days make sure you bring some board games from home. It’s a good way to reconnect with the kids and have fun while doing it. Even if it doesn’t rain, board games are great to play at night before bed.
The rain, especially at night, can bring very sound sleeps. Because cottages are usually not insulated like houses, hearing the rain on the roof is wonderful. It will soon have you drifting off to dreamland. In fact, the fresh air will not only help you sleep better, but it also increases the appetite as well. Kids will come in from playing and usually eat without a fuss. There is something about the country air that brings out the best in people.
Another idea for the rainy days is to visit the closest town you went through to get to the cottage. There are usually little surprises in each town and some unique shops that will have interesting items not found in the city.
A cottage oasis to awaken the senses is a wonderful way to spend lazy summer days vacationing with the family. The sweet memories will last a lifetime.
Unpacking is a treat when arriving in the country
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A great way to end the day
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