Spring time has come and it is almost time to open the cottage back up for the cottaging season!  Here are some tips to follow when opening the cottage for the season:

Security and Safety

• Before you head to the cottage, if you have a security system, ensure you notify the security company that you are heading back into the cottage
• Check the cottage for any damage or vandalism
• Replace the batteries in both the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and ensure they are in proper working order
• If you are going to be using the fireplace to take the spring chill off, ensure you inspect the chimney to ensure no “visitors” were using it for a winter home

Water system

• Close the drain valve at the bottom of the water tank
• Prime the water system by completely filling the intake line
• Turn on the pump until the appropriate pressure has been obtained.
• Open a hot water tap at the sink and open cold water shut-off to tank
• Leave hot water tap on until water comes out indicating that the hot water tank is now full
• Turn on the power to the hot water tank at the electrical panel
• Inspect complete system for leaks by listening for the pump to come on when all taps are closed
• Let the water run for a few minutes and flush the toilets to remove any antifreeze you poured into them in the fall
• Check all pipes leading into the septic tank to ensure they are in proper condition
• Ensure setic tank has been emptied if scheduled (approximately every 3 years depending on use)
• Open the lid of the septic tank.  It should be full if it has not been pumped (if it is not full, have someone inspect it as it may have a crack in it)

Electrical

• Walk around your cottage and inspect the outdoor electrical wiring leading into your cottage.  If any problems are noticed, contact the local utility company or master electrician.
• Ensure all the auxiliary breakers are turned off and then turn on the main circuit breaker.  Then to ensure each breaker is working properly, turn each one on and test to ensure they are is proper working order.  Before turning the hot water breaker on, ensure you have completed filling it under the “water system” section
• Check the wiring for damage caused by rodents

Check for Damage

• Stains in the ceiling may suggest that water is geeting in under the roof
• Check for rot or mould as this may be an indication that water is present
• Check the piers or foundation of the cottage as these may have shifted during the spring thaw
• Look at the caulking around windows as the freezing and thawing may have caused the seal to have broken

Spring Clean

• You may find indication of animals/rodents that invaded the cottage over the winter
• Wear rubber gloves when cleaning up these messes as any excrement may carry disease
• Dispose of any “rodent deterents” that may endanger children and pet safety
• Thouroughly clean all surfaces, especially ones that are in contact with food
• Let it a lot of fresh air to remove that musty smell
• Wash all bed linens and other fabrics that may have been left in the cottage

Enjoy the new cottage season!!

Hipditch House in St. John's, Newfoundland

Ever dream of a fantastic adventure to see icebergs, whales and the magnificent coast of Newfoundland? This beautiful province has everything to offer including hiking, beautiful drives, wildlife and festivals. As long as you aren’t afraid to be schreeched, Newfoundland will be a delightful adventure.  If you are looking for a charming place to rent, Cottage Experience has recently listed 3 new rentals from Costal Cottages East: Hipditch House, The EJ Sooley House and The Thomas Mouland House.

Us cottage owners love to sit on the dock, relax and do absolutely nothing but enjoy the view. However, we all know that is not possible to do all the time at the cottage. Reality is, there is work to do, usually more then desired.  Plus there is the financial implication of unexpected repairs, appliances breaking down and general maintenance.  This can be a lot for one family to take on financially as well as the time commitment.  This is why owning a cottage jointly makes so much sense.  Besides sharing the upfront cost to purchasing the cottage, joint ownership also allows the sharing of all the other cottage maintenance costs, expected and unexpected.  Also, work such as cutting the lawn, is also cut in half. This may make cottage ownership for some more appealing, especially if you only use it in the summer.  Sharing can be quite advantageous, however I’ve composed a list of suggestions on how to manage a joint ownership fairly.

• Ensure all financial contributions are equal upon the purchase!
• Set up an agreement on how the cottage is managed and what would happen in various situations,  such as divorce or if one family wants to sell.  Try to anticipate all the situations that could happen and make a plan. Both parties should sign this agreement. It is not pleaseant to discuss such topics as divorce or death, but ensuring all situations are considered can save a messy situation at a future date.  You may want to consider having a lawyer review the agreement.
• Set up vacation schedules well in advance of the cottage season and all must agree.  If both families want the same week of holidays then it goes in a hat and determined by drawing. For weekends, one suggestion is all long weekends are for everyone and every other weekend is exclusive. 
• Set up a cottage bank account and have both families contribute a set amount each month to cover not only expenses but some savings.  That way if the fridge goes, there is some money already saved for a quick purchase.
• All major cottage purchases should be agreed upon jointly.
• Cottage must be left clean for the next family to come to.

Everyone has heard of family cottage nightmares, however with some upfront planning these situations can be avoided.  We have been sharing our cottage for the past 5 years and have found that we all enjoy the arrangement on all levels – financially, work effort and especially the great company!

Finally, the province has announced plans to extend the 407 toll highway to highway 35/115.  This is welcomed news as our cottage is situated on the border of Haliburton and the Kawarthas.  Also, having grown up in the Kawarthas, we still have a lot of family in the area. This will significantly reduce travelling time and increase the time spent on the dock!

It has yet to be confirmed how the billing of the tolls will work, given the province has also announced that they will maintain responsibility for the 45km extention instead of handing it over the the existing 407 ETR owners. Construction of the road will start once the environmental approvals are in place, with the road open by 2013. MyKawartha.com reported that the “proposed extension would generate 24,000 construction jobs”, welcomed news in the current economy.

Olive the Lake offers a selection of 5 rental cottages. Set amidst the beauty of the Temagami Wilderness Forest, the atmosphere at Olive the Lake is quaint, refreshing and relaxing. Located in the heart of Marten River, just north of Lake Nippissing, offering the best Walleye Fishing, Bass Fishing and Pike Fishing in Northern Ontario.

The newly renovated rental cottages are tucked into the 5 acre wooded surroundings on the banks of Olive Lake in Marten River, Ontario .

#1 Olive Bay Lane offers a sitting room that is filled with views of the bay, and sunrises are no extra charge. #2 Olive Bay Lane has an extra large screened-in deck, the spot you’ll likely spend most of your time. #3 Olive Bay Lane is the cottage closest to the dock and your boat to allow for quick escapes to the lake. #4 Olive Bay Lane has brought the outdoors inside through a new large window and is the largest cottage at Olive the Lake. #5 Olive Bay Lane is a quaint cottage, constructed of logs from floor to ceiling.

Being the only outfitter, outpost camp or resort on a 9 mile lake, Olive the Lake offers you what you crave most on your holiday – “all of the lake”, a great day fishing, a great night sleep and a true cottage experience.

Discover everything that Northern Ontario has to offer. For family vacation, for couples or for groups of friends, why not make this little piece of heaven your ultimate cottage experience.

If you tend to forget what a wonderful planet we live on, there is nothing like a trip to the cottage to remind you how incredible nature is.  I, like many, have a fear that we are destroying this beautiful planet too quickly and I’m keen to continue to make choices to help preserve.  Although we have made many changes, not only at the cottage, but also at home, I always feel like there is more to do.  Therefore, I would love to hear of other green cottage initiatives/products out there.  ‘Greener at the Cottage’, will be a frequent blog topic and I know there is lots to write about.

To start off, I wanted to highlight a product that we’ve switched to at the cottage and now at home.  It’s natureclean® dishsoap.  I’ve been really happy with this product and how it’s all natural and phosphate free.  As a bonus it is also made in Canada!  At first I was concerned about it not having many bubbles, but it doesn’t effect how clean it is getting my dishes. Based on the natureclean® website, “they avoid using the sudsing agent called Sodium Laureth Sulfate. This ingredient is a suspected carcinogen (cancer causing agent) and no amount of suds is worth that.”  I would suspect that other dish soaps are so bubbly because Focus Groups tell the Marketers that they think it is making their dishes cleaner.  It’s probably just more stuff being added to make bubbles, that isn’t necessary. 

The other interesting thing about this product is it helped improve our cottage neighbours psoriasis.  When he switched to using natureclean® the red patches on his hands showed significant improvements. Makes you wonder what harsh ingredients are in other dishsoaps.

Snowshoeing to the Lake

What a great way to spend a beautiful sunny winter day!

A few years ago my husband and I decided we needed a better way to get around outside at the cottage in the winter. We couldn’t decide between cross country skis and snowshoes. Finally, we decided on snowshoes because they weren’t only great for getting out for a walk, they were also practical for hiking down the hill to the cottage as we brought stuff inside. It is a lot easier walking through 3ft deep snow with snowshoes! We have been really happy with our purchase. Besides a great way to get around through the snow, it has now become a family activity with the new addition to our family. We put our little guy in a sled and he is delighted as we pull him along. If he was lighter we would put him in the Snuggli. If you are thinking about buying some, go for it. You will have them for years and you will truely enjoy them.

Ice Fishing on Lake Scugog

Looks beautiful, doesn’t it?  There is definitely a calmness about this picture that inspired me to take on my first ice fishing experience.  I would say I am an avid winter sports person.  I love a good dose of cool fresh air through running, skiing and snowshoeing to help beat the winter blahs.  This found me on Lake Scugog in the dead of winter eagerly anticipating that first catch.  As we headed out on an ATV to the hut I thought to myself that this was a fun start.  We quickly made it to our hut and piled in.  Soon the heat was kicking from the propane heater and the ice was being chipped away from the holes in the ice.  Now it was time to get my line ready to drop.  My first mistake was to keep my mits on. I quickly found myself in a bit of a jam as the one side of the hook entered my left mitten and the other side in my right.  I tried to solve this problem on my own to avoid the attention, however the group soon realized my predicament and through some laughter helped me out.  After some more fumbling I finally got my line in and so did the rest of our group.  I innocently ask, “now what”.  The beer was then cracked open and everyone sat there drinking.  I then innocently asked, “now what”.  “We wait” was the response.  Well we did wait and wait and wait as the conversation quickly dwindled away.  Maybe it’s because I was a female entering the guys hut? Or is what ice fishing is all about? After about 2 hours of waiting and not a fish to be seen, I determined that I was not an ice fisher and hitched the first ride back to the cottage.

Welcome to Blogging … On the Dock brought to you by CottageExperience.ca. I write our first entry on the coldest day of the year so far, as I sit in our suburban home with dreams of writing soon on the dock.  The good people of CottageExperience.ca look forward to lots of good dialogue on all the wonderful things about cottaging in all four seasons. 

To start this blog a warm and yummy crowd pleasing recipe of chili is appropriate given the chill in the air.  Take this recipe up north to the cottage in a crock pot and let the smell fill the cottage as you are outside enjoying the snow and perhaps some ice fishing.  Trust me, it’s worth carting in the crockpot on the sled if you are like us and have to hike into your cottage in the winter.

Crowd Please Chili!

• 1lb extra lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 28oz cans of crushed tomatoes
• 1 10oz can of sliced mushrooms drained
• 1 19oz can of kidney beans drained
• 1 19oz can of black beans, rinse beans
• 1 12oz can of baked BBQ beans
• 1 10oz can of tomato soup
• 1 10oz can of corn
• 1 sweet pepper chopped, whatever colour you like
• at least 6 tablespoons of chili powder
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, feel free to add more if you like it spicy!

Brown the beef and onions in frying pan, until beef is no longer pink.  Add to crockpot.  Add remaining ingredients and stir.  You can assemble and refrigerate overnight for cooking the next day.  Cook for a least 2 hours on high – or let it cook all afternoon on low.  Serve with shredded cheese, yummy bread and tortilla chips.

Speaking of ice fishing, on the the first tournaments is quickly approaching on January 24th in Nipissing.  Check out West Nipping Ice Fishing Tournament.