Visiting the Cabin in the Wintertime
December 14th, 2007Today’s story idea was literally handed to me. The Cottage Bible, written by Gerry Mackie and Laura Elise Taylor, was given to me as a Christmas gift from my girlfriend Sheryl. This is a well written, beautifully photographed, detailed guide to owning a cottage.
Gerry Mackie, a biology professor at the University of Guelph, devotes a good chunk of the book guiding cottagers on how to co-exist with nature, something we often lose sight of. He writes, “Respect the natural life around you at the cottage. The rewards will be many.” He even provides a step-by-step guide on how to remove quills and ticks from your dog.
Below are his suggestions for visiting the lake in the winter. While we seldom get snow on the west coast, the rain and wind can make visiting the cabin a frosty and somewhat unpleasant experience. His advice is relevant regardless of where your cottage is located.
Tips for a Successful Winter Visit
- Bring slippers for the ice-cold floor
- Invest in an electric blanket or hot water bottle
- Consider dragging a mattress or using a cozy sleeping bag in front of the wood stove or fireplace so you don’t have to heat the bedrooms
- Bring enough water for cooking and drinking
- Bring a plastic sled to carry your stuff across the unplowed driveway
Mackie writes if you use the toilet, use lake water or melt snow for flush water. Make sure you leave the tank empty; just use buckets to flush. Don’t forget to drain the bowl and add antifreeze again when you leave. He also suggests not bothering with the generator because you have to rewinterize it. OPPPPSSSs - I didn’t realize you were suppose to winterize the generator. Guess I’ll be reading the section on Generators page 319, to find out what I missed.
This is a terrific book, and a good one for any cottagers on your list.
Cheers,
Julie
P. S. My copy came from Chapters
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December 14th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
We don’t winterize. We turn the thermostat down as low as it will go. We have a southern exposure that is all floor to ceiling windows and a lot of heat comes through there in daytime. I just filled our tank. It was $561.00
That will do us most of the winter because when we are there we run the air tight wood stove. We will be spending christmas there as well as New Years. I’m getting big time pressure to take our hot tub out there and get a new one at home. All our water equipment is from Culligan and is checked and recalibrated once a year. The soft water showers are nice all year round. Even though the water is very safe, we drink bottled water from the Rockies just west of Banff. The highlight of winter at the lake has to be the stars. Without all the lights of the city, they are absolutely brilliant. We actually have more time to visit with our neighbours. With the short days this time of year, there’s more time to socialize where we wouldn’t in the summer because we’d still be on the water. Hot toddies around the fire shorten the winter nights.I can’t say we have as much fun there as we do in the summer, but it still brings the family together enjoying similar interests away from the hectic pace of everyday life.
December 15th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
RunningCar
You’re lucky to be able to be at your place for Christmas and NewYear. We have to wait for the ice to freeze and be safe before we can cross, which is usually the first or second week of January.
I have one observation to make of your post. If your water is safe to drink, I suggest that you stop buying bottled water to conserve energy, to cut down on recycling and to reduce waste, . If you do a quick search on the net you will find many BOTTLED WATER BOYCOTT and BACK-TO-THE-TAP movements. I have made a decision as of September of this year to never purchase bottled water again. It’s back to the tap for me!
Just hoping to pass it on!!!
December 16th, 2007 at 3:19 am
Hi Debb,
Our lake water is safe to drink too and we are still lugging bottles in by the truck load. Maybe it’s seeing the dogs frolicking in the water - I get the heebee geeebees, but it would be a lot better for all of us if I could get over my trepidation.
Thank you for the lovely reminder.
Cheers,
Julie
December 16th, 2007 at 3:19 am
PS
Running Car - tell us about your ice fishing experiences……
December 16th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
We are totally spoilt at our cottage with oil fired heating, a hot tub, oodles of hot water for bathing and showers and excellent drinking water from a well. I went there yesterday to prepare it for our Christmas renters and it looks just beautiful. I just hope the 30cm snow we are getting at the moment will be plowed out before they arrive!! Winter is truly here in all its glory.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Deb,
Yes you’re right about the waste. However having said that, we have enough kids to start a hutterite colony. The 5 gallon water jug will last us one day at the lake. The kids drink a ton of water because it is cold, and easily accessable. The jug costs me about 6 bucks. The cooler was a couple hundred bucks. We have tried keeping a pitcher of water in the fridge but it just doesn’t work because no one refills the jug and the time it takes to cool the water. If it wasn’t for the water cooler, it would cost more for the pop and juice they would consume than what it costs to run our water toys. I think it’s better for them too. Our jugs are all refilled. I do suppose we could refill the jug from the tap though. Maybe that would be a good start. Jules, I thought about the ice fishing blog. It would be more effective for you to come down with the clan and do a series of articles as you are learning the fine art of walleye hunting. You see they frown on ice fishing in the arenas in the West Van. area.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
P.S
As far as entertainment goes at the lake for christmas….. we’re bringing newfies!!!
December 18th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Forgive me, and I mean no offense to the great people of Saskatchewan but - are you out of your mind? Going there in the winter??????? My delicate disposition could not take that kind of cold. I would have to wear a snowmobile suit to bed.
PS Is is politically correct to ref to them as newfies??? Might have to edit that one.
Cheers,
Julie
December 18th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Jules,
The windows are triple glazed sealed. The furnace is high effecient. We have to close all the bedroom doors so the air tight stove doesn’t cook the bedrooms too. I can turn that puppy into the tropics. As far as the ice fishing goes, you dress appropriately and sip on a little butter ripple.
As far as the Saskatchewan people go we don’t pick on them because they already have the burdon of being rough rider fans. We are bringing purebred newfies to the lake boxing week. We mean that in the most affectionate way because they’re certifiable. It will be a lively week.