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 A father carries pictures where his money used to be. Author unknown
This quote rings with some truth, but the reality is that whether you’re a father, step-father, grandpa or father-in-law, there’s nothing like family.
Father’s Day is celebrated mostly on the third Sunday of June. However, the ancient traces of celebrating Father’s Day can be found. According to many scholars, the importance of Father’s Day can be found even 4000 years ago, when a message was carved on a card made of clay wishing a father a long life and good health. Though there are no records, they celebrated a day privately reserved for their fathers.
The concept gained momentum on June 19th, 1910 in Spokane, Washington by Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd. she initialized the concept after attending Mother’s Day service. she wanted to honour her father, William Smart, who was a Civil War veteran and raised his six children after his wife’s death. With time the holiday gained popularity.
We don’t have to go back 4000 years, or even to the 1900’s to know the best way to celebrate Father’s Day is to spend it with close family and friends at the cottage.
There is nothing like the family gathering together for father’s day at the cottage. Whether it is at a family cottage or it is at an Ontario Cottage Rental in Muskoka, Haliburton, Georgian Bay or Parry Sound , Father’s Day at the cottage can be one of the most rewarding ways to spend the day. Just imagine, on the dock, sitting in a Muskoka chair, with your favorite beverage in hand, with the smell of beer chicken on the barbeque and being catered to for your every need. Presents be dam’d! It just doesn’t get any better than this.
In the words of Colonel Potter from M*A*S*H…..I don’t care how poor a man is; if he has family, he’s rich. I couldn’t agree more.
Happy Father’s Day
 When spending time at a cottage in Ontario whether it is an Ontario cottage rental in Muskoka, Parry Sound or Haliburton, or your own peace of paradise, there is nothing like the feeling of being at one with Mother Nature. Sometimes it feels like you could reach out and touch it!
It was early in the morning and I had just put on the kettle to make a pot of tea ,when I looked up……………..
What a wonderful sight to behold outside our kitchen window – a doe and her new fawn, complete with white spots. The mother came through the wooded area beside our cottage with great trepidation for the safety of her little one. But wait – there are two fawns!
It didn’t take them long to find my flower bed but I could not resist watching them as they made themselves at home. The doe stood proud and perfectly still, her ears twitching to every sound , her nose smelling the morning air, all the while keeping a careful watch on the two young ones as they made short work of my garden.
With their little tummy’s full, mother now moves them slowly down to the waters edge, for a drink of fresh lake water. The two fawn wade slowly into the water and bow their heads ,gently touching the water with their noses. They drink slowly as small ripples in the water move out in the lake.
The doe then summons them out of the water, back to her side. Then, with the blink of an eye! they had disappeared back into the woods with out a trace. One of the joys of an Ontario Cottage rental at the lake, is getting back to nature right outside the front door.
Now all that is left to do is for me to replant the garden. But worth every minute.
These small moments in time show mother nature at her best! What a beautiful sight to see.
While vacationing in Muskoka most families look forward to getting out on the water, as well as into it. One of the most enjoyable cottage vacations that a family or group of friends can have is one that provides lots of activities to keep everyone busy. And boating is one of the most favourite things to do for the young and the young at heart.
You will find with most Ontario Cottage Rentals that power boats are not included with the rental due to liability for the owner. However most marinas in Muskoka offer boat rentals at reasonable rates.
The first decision is what kind of a boat do you want? You may be into fishing or perhaps skiing is your thing, or maybe just cruising the Lakes in Muskoka such as Lake Muskoka, Rosseau, Joseph or Lake of Bays to name just a few of the larger lakes.
If canoeing or kayaking is your passion then you are in for a real treat. There is notihing like staying at an Ontario Cottage Rental property such as those offered by At the Lake Cottage Rentals. Check out this link to Lake Waseosa Cottage Rental offering a canoe and paddle boat. Whether the canoe is provided or rented, early morning paddles just as the sun is rising over the tree tops and the mist is dissapating from the lake surface simply will create cherished memories for years to come. During any paddle aound the lake you are apt to see a ride range of wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot moose, beaver, if you are lucky perhaps an otter sliding into the lake. One thing for sure, you will never forget the sounds of the loons and the sightings of them on the still water.
If skiing is your sport, bring your own boat to your cottage rental or of course rent one, and be sure that you know where to launch it before you arrive! Most lakes have public boat launches available so check with your Ontario Cottage Rental agancy.
All power boat operators are required to have their “Ontario Boaters Card” so be sure to abtain this in advance if you don”t already have one. You can apply online at the link above.
Click here for a list of marinas in Muskoka, Haliburton and Parry Sound.
Renting a boat in Muskoka while enjoying your Ontario Cottage Rental may just be the best vacation you’ve had!
Enjoy and Be Safe. Pleae remember NO DRINKING while driving.
 Early Morning One of the greatest joys of an Ontario cottage rental at a lake, whether it’s a big lake in Muskoka, a ‘barebones’cabin in Haliburton or an island in Georgian Bay / Parry Sound, is to rise early in the morning. It is something to be experienced, even if it means planning it. Just set your alarm if you have one (or set your cell phone alarm), get up early and make yourself a cup of coffee or tea. Take your ‘good morning’ drink down to the dock with you. You’ll soon notice that the lake is quiet and peaceful, and likely very calm – stop to take a deep breath of the fresh, clean air. The smell of the moisture from the early morning dew gives you a a sense of the tranquility that only Mother Nature can deliver. Just before the sun rises, the sky will start to lighten making the path to the lake clear and if your’re lucky you will still be able to see the moon and a few stars. The mist on the lake creates beautiful scenery expecially as it dissipates and you get a glimpse of a few cottages – perhaps they are cottage rentals or perhaps they are just for the private use of the cottage owners. The scenery you experience will be just like what you have seen on postcards of the area. How captivating is this cottage country atmosphere!
The animals in Muskoka and Haliburton are pretty much the same, but Parry Sound has a few more reptiles. As the wildlife begins to stir, you hear the birds singing melodiously. A duck quacks in flight over the lake and you notice a gentle ripple that has been created by an otter. Entranced by the otter, you follow her path for some time and then continue to walk out onto the dock. Another deep breath and you can feel all of the world’s problems diminish in the glory of this serene moment. It’s perfectly quiet for for a few more moments, until the family of loons starts with their unique calls – a memory that will stay with you forever. This is definitely something that you will want to experience again and you mentally make a note to book next year’s Ontario Cottage rental early. Family vacations are precious – soon the kids are grown and gone and it may be years before they join you at your cottage rental with their little ones. Don’t leave out the ‘older folks’ either. Time spent together in a cottage setting on a lake will be cherished for years.
Ice fishing is about spending a day in the fresh air and sunshine, while not needing a boat or a lot of equipment. If you have an Ontario Cottage Rental in Muskoka, Parry Sound or Haliburton areas, you can walk out your front door for great fishing.
You don’t need the typical fishing rod or live bait (but it helps). The lakes in Muskoka, Parry Sound and Haliburton, whether big or small, all offer the cottage renter excellent opportunities to catch their dinner in the winter time. Ice fishing is popular among the locals and they know the good fishing spots and are always happy to share their secrets and stories!
The beauty of ice fishing is the actual ease of getting there and doing it. Only a few pieces of equipment are needed. But first you should have warm wind proof clothing, waterproof boots for occasional spots of slush, warm mitts or gloves that you can remove easily. You will need a auger, fishing line, hooks, sinkers and any one of a number of jig baits which often include a metal spoon or wobbler. Live bait is best but packaged baits can be used and the attractants on these baits often work very well.
Since I love to fish and yesterday, Feb. 6th was such a beautiful day, I headed out onto Lake of Bays in Muskoka. It was about -4C when I started my trek across the lake with auger in one hand and my day pack in the other. I did not need snowshoes or skis as the snowmobile trail was in the direction I wanted to go. After about 1/4 km. I reached a place I often catch fish during the summer. I drilled a couple holes with my auger and baited the first hole with minnow from my freezer and for the 2nd line I used a small Williams silvery blue with a small minnow head on the hook.
As the sun warmed up and I sat there gazing at all the cottages, it was clear that while most where closed for the winter, several had activities going on. Some of these would be a weekend cottage rental for families, while other cottage rentals were clearly enjoyed by snowmobilers. There was no wind and it was easy to lose track of time.
Fish often bite on a rising barometer so I was fairly certain of catching something and in 40′ of water I was targeting Lake Trout or Whitefish. About 4 hours later I had caught 4 Lake Trout and no Whitefish. The largest was about 4 pounds, and the other 3 were around 3 pounds each.
I kept the largest one, and one of the smaller ones that had been hooked too deep to survive. As the sun lowered over the horizon and the temperature dropped, I walked back to shore and was home by 4:30. I gave my neighbour Al the smaller fish, and we will enjoy the larger one on the BBQ tonight.
What a fantastic way to spend a day – so book your Ontario Cottage Rental now and experience this first hand. If you want a cottage rental with the extra treat of a HOT TUB and SAUNA, book it now!
Ahhh …. it’s 9:00 in the morning, your eyes are closed and you can feel the warmth of the sun on your face as it clears the tree tops of the opposite shore. What a delightful sensation, and oh that Java tastes so good.  Too bad you are in the office day-dreaming! You’re planning a family vacation at the lake and this will be your first Ontario cottage rental, and that’s all you can think of today.
Well, you need to book it over the next couple of months if it’s going to be more than a dream. Cottage rentals for summer vacations start in January, picking up in momentum as the days get longer. The best place to start is At the Lake Cottage Rentals - a good selection, wide variety and an availability calendar with each listing, as well as by area. Now that makes it easy!
Company policies vary widely when it comes to booking your summer vacation. Some don’t have policies and some require your time to be booked off by certain dates, and often it’s ‘first come first served’ . Depending on the requirements of the company you work for, summer vacation time is best booked as soon as allowable.
Cottage rentals vary widely in their characteristics as well. When planning your vacation rental your first consideration is how many people will there be? How many bedrooms do you need and what bed configuration is required. Many cottages make good use of the ‘combo bunk’ – bunk beds with a double on the bottom and a single on the top. Do the bedrooms need to be on the same floor? Can a bunkie be a good place for older kids?
Now that you know what you need for sleeping accommodations, the cottage rentals you review will have a Maximum Occupancy. This is done for good reason and is generally not negotiable. Your next decision is price range. Cottage rentals can vary by many thousands of dollars, so set a price range and keep an open mind as you browse through the rental listings. At the Lake Cottage Rentals have a range from $1,095 to $9,500 per week!
Now you can narrow your choice down to a few rentals and take into consideration other elements – type of water frontage, elevation of cottage, exposure, views etc.
Ontario cottage rentals are popular! Resorts are no longer the ‘trend’ they used to be, and that is a bit sad as the history attached to them is what made cottage country what it is today.
So, if a cottage rental is in your future this summer, book it now! At the Lake Cottage Rentals has an online booking form and staff (YES, real people!) who will help you make your cottage selection. If you already know what sort of cottage rental you want, you can start at the Availability Calendar which shows all properties and is organized by area, making your cottage search even easier.
Book your rental online today to avoid disappointment!
Service Driven to Exceed Your Expectations!!
What exactly is Cottage Dreams and why does At the Lake Cottage Rentals support them?
Cottage Dreams is a Cancer Recovery Initiative and registered charity that offers recent cancer patients and their families an opportunity to spend time at a donated cottage. Cottage owners, whether or not they normally get involved in cottage rentals, offer time at their cottage to these families.
 Time to Reflect It provides these families time to reconnect with loved ones, to rejuvenate, and to simply forget the pain they’ve been through.
A recipient fills out an application form and when approved, they can start to look forward to what many have described as the most rewarding family experience ever.
Owners are provided with a tax receipt for the time donated at their cottage.
This is truly a Win Win exchange.
But as with all registered charities, Cottage Dreams relies on financial donations from people like you. We have all been touched by cancer – our families, our friends – and this is one fantastic way you can make a difference to the survivors and their families. And of course, you receive an income tax receipt for your donation.
Your support can take many forms:
- sponsor a day at the lake
- annual Golf Tournament (May 31 Coppinwood Golf Club)
- sponsor a visit
- e-cards
- host or employee gift
- Mosquitos and Mojitos Event (May 7 Steam Whistle Toronto)
- hand painted chair-ity auction (March 26-28)
Visit Cottage Dreams Event Calendar to find out more about the summer upcoming events!
At the Lake Cottage Rentals has always recognized that time at a cottage with loved ones is an unforgettable experience that will be fondly remembered for a lifetime. And we like to do our part – in fact, we do it in two ways:
- on our application form a renter has the opportunity of making a donation through our system to Cottage Dreams.
- we donate 20% of our commission to Cottage Dreams in the name of the cottage owner who receives the tax receipt
If you book a cottage rental this year with At the Lake Cottage Rentals, you are supporting Cottage Dreams!
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
When Family Day was announced as a new Statutory Holiday in Ontario, there was mixed emotion – ranging from – ‘it’s about time’, to ‘what can we do together as a family?’
Even if you don’t have a family of kids, it’s no reason not to go away and appreciate some quiet time with a loved one. That’s the good thing about Ontario Cottage Rentals, we can be there for you whatever your reason!
Since Family Day is on Monday Feb. 15, right after VALENTINES DAY you have a fantastic opportunity to show your loved one how much you care. Merge these 2 special dates and rent a cottage in Muskoka or Parry Sound, or Haliburton!
When looking for a private cottage rental in Ontario for a few days during the ‘low season’, it’s quite common for the check-out time to be extended as long as there are no other cottage renters arriving the same day – typically a Sunday for weekend rentals, or of course Monday on Holiday Weekends.
So take the extra step for your loved ones and book into an Ontario cottage rental on Friday and spend some quality ‘Family day’ time at a quiet and peaceful location, knowing that you don’t have to leave early on Sunday – it’s really bonus time together!
That of course then leads to the next topic – what will we do at the cottage for several days? It’s Winter after all!! Well you are in for a treat if you rent our cottage on Sugar Lake – I’ll bet you could work some magic with the name of the Lake when you surprise your sweetheart with a weekend here!!
 Outdoor Hot Tub Enjoying the Outdoor Hot Tub and Sauna would be first on the priority list for most of us!
 Snow on Trees Take a look at some of the previous blog articles for ideas on Winter Activities. There’s so much to do - from snowshoeing and dog sledding to skiing and skating – OR just relaxing with a good book by the fire.
Gather your friends together as well, and enjoy the solitude that only a winter in cottage country can provide.
Book a 2 or 3 day weekend from an Ontario Cottage Rental agency today!!
Check out some of our other available winter properties:
Ahmic Lake Luxury for the discriminating family
Victoria Harbour only about an hour from GTA
NEW Lake Muskoka Cottage just 15 minutes to Bracebridge
Hidden Valley Condo ski or board at Hidden Valley Ski Hill
Yesterday I received an email from a family looking for an Ontario cottage rental in Muskoka. Somewhere that they could spend some ‘one on one’ time with their 2 children and share with them what they had experienced as children at their family cottage.
Well the kids were in for a bit of a surprise – the parents were not bringing any video games, Wii games, ipods, or any other ‘hi-tech’ toys. They wanted this to be one cottage vacation to remember – family time as it used to be. The cottage they selected had lots of board games, playing cards and books for all ages.
 Board Games The vacation plans this family have are not so unusual. We like to think of a cottage rental as being an opportunity to teach the kids something about nature. Visit the library or book store and pick up some identification hand books on trees, wildflowers, critters large and small, or animal tracks.
Then take the time to explore the area around the cottage or venture down the cottage road – what you can discover along the roadside will amaze you! I once found a rhubarb plant that was gigantic – I was walking with my mother and sister and spotted leaves larger than I had ever seen on any plant in this area. Upon closer (and careful) investigation I could see it was rhubarb – the leaves had to be 4 feet across! This was one old plant and I could even see where the old homestead might have stood. We had the best tasting rhubarb pie that week! Actually 3 pies!
Nature is just outside the cottage door, along the path to the water, in the trees
 Canoe surrounding you, in the critters that scurry to and fro – there is so much to discover – make this Ontario cottage rental one to remember.
Years ago I received an email from a renter (Colleen) after they returned from their vacation. That email is a perfect example of what a wonderful impact a cottage rental can have on a family. She said several nice things about the cottage and the things they did – but her favourite part was just watching her husband Alex out on the dock with their little boy, fishing, spending time – together!
Simple. Powerful. Yours.
Book your Ontario cottage vacation today!
I am often asked, when should we book our Ontario cottage rental?
As soon as you know your vacation dates, you should start looking for the best location for your family to play and rest and relax. Every cottage is unique and it can sometimes be a daunting process, but we understand how important your cottage vacation is to you.
We are here to help you select the cottage rental that best suits your needs. Consider the number of bedrooms and the bed configuration that you need, how close you want/need to be to ‘attractions’ or perhaps you just want to stay put and enjoy.
Price variance in cottage rentals is huge, so you need to have a good idea of how much you want to spend on a weeks vacation, or longer if you have the time.
But where do you start? Check your dates first. On the Availability Calendar you can quickly see which properties are available for the time frame that suits you. Price is clearly visible and you have a picture that can also tell you at a glance if that style would be suitable.
Once you have narrowed it down to a few cottages, feel free to contact us to provide you with any other details.
There is an online booking application which can also be accessed from each listing by a direct link. When we receive your application we will contact you for details. Be sure to fill it out as completely as you can to help expedite the booking.
Once this is all complete and you have confirmation you can relax as you now have a wonderful Ontario Cottage Rental to look forward to!
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