One week ago today in the early morning hours, I was scurrying around doing the last minute things on the to-do list, getting ready for departure to points north. Some of you might say that I'm pretty far north as it is, but this was farther north, namely in the middle of Michigan where there are lakes abounding. This particular lake to which I was heading happens to have on its shore a lovely, straight-from-the-sixties era cottage. It turned out to be my dream-come-true cottage. So much like the one where I stayed as a child with one of my friends (only much bigger and better), with the full screened porch across the front where we played cards and board games under the yellow bug light until her mom would send us off to bed in the loft that we reached by climbing a ladder, giggling and talking until we drifted off to sleep with the sounds of crickets and frogs and the occasional owl singing a lullaby.
Oh, look! There he is, sitting on the dock keeping the gray boards free of Canada goose poop!
There were so many nooks and cozy little spots in which one could relax, unwind, drink a steaming cup of tea, read a book, nap or just look out onto the beautiful water and watch water-skiers fly by. This corner was my favorite spot. The air was chilly, so we wrapped up in soft afghans and sipped that hot tea.
Sometimes the sky looked like this, with a few patches of blue peeking through the overcast sky.
Mostly it was like this, with light rain falling sporadically.
(Click on the pic to see what the dot is.)
Many cottages (some fancy and modern, some rustic) dotted the shoreline, with boats and rafts tied to every dock. I even saw a couple of them for sale which got me excited, but, alas, when I looked at them online, they weren't remotely anything like my dream cottage. Too modern.
On Sunday, the last full day of our visit, the sun started peeking out a little more and we went for a ride in the cottage rowboat. The captain of our ship (who was also our lovely hostess) proudly rowed us around the entire lake perimeter. I felt like a lazy sluggard while she manned the oars. I'm not sure she trusted us unskilled rowers with them (and rightly so, in my case), preferring to maintain her leisurely and smooth rhythm to see us safely around the shore. 
It was the perfect weekend and I only had to wait forty-three years between my childhood lake cottage experience and this one. I hope it won't be another forty-three years until the next one. I don't know if I can even wait three.
25 comments:
Susan--great photos; this looks like a perfect get-a-way to read and relax.
Thank you, Diane. It was lovely there...I didn't want to leave, but real life awaited me at home. :(
What great photos, and words! I especially love your pic of your favorite corner, that looks very cozy (even though it was chilly). It would be so nice if you could find your own place and spend the rest of your days enjoying it with family, or without. Here's believing it will happen!
beautiful shots - I would love to sit and chill in that corner too
Oh, lovely. I'd want to be in that corner too. There is something about a lake...
Well, Ruthie, I'm a big believer in fairy-tale endings and I wished on the few stars that were visible those nights...so, who knows...
Char and ds, I can see I will have to have a very large corner in my future cottage to fit in all my favorite bloggy friends!
The only thing better than a lake is the ocean, and that I can never hope to afford!
If you do find your dream cottage, may I come to visit? I think we might just share the same dream....
yeah, I see you taking photos while others row you around the lake!
That's right, Violetski, I believe in doing my part! lol
Maybe I can find a cottage somewhere in the middle so none of us has to drive very far!
Dreams are meant to be shared....
Oh, Susan! I envy you! There is nothing like a lake house for relaxation!
I had a great aunt and uncle who had a non-electric, well-pumping cabin off of the Meremac River. What simple, fun times those were!
I hope that you can revisit that lake again soon!
Your pics are gorgeous!
You've brought back fond memories I have from childhood at a similar style cabin up along Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks. The cabin probably dated back to the 1930s. It was one large room and a screened porch. We had a dock and a large lawn area. Plus it was near Santa's Village. Went there two summers in a row. Worst thing I remember happening was leeches. I'd been in swimming and was stretched out on the lawn when my dad came up and said "Stay still." Next thing I knew he along with a family friend were trying to get all the leaches off my back and legs. I didn't even know they were there. Not sure I ever went back in the lake.
CG, it's too bad you couldn't have been there, too! Yes, one doesn't feel compelled to do anything but sit and talk and just....be....So, lot's of relaxation.
I'm not sure I'm cut out to stay in as rustic of a cabin as your aunt and uncle's! When I was kid, of course, because I was allergic to baths! Besides, who needs a bath when they've been swimming all day, right? lol
Thank you.
Tattered, how did you know that's where my other fantasy dream cottage would be! I LOVE the Adirondackss, and I don't just mean the chairs!!! When we were on vacation there a few years ago, I didn't want to leave...it was soooo beautiful. I kept all the information for Long Lake. I'm hoping to go back there someday and actually rent a cottage as we were just passing through on our previous trip.
I'm not usually squeamish about creepy-crawly things, but leeches would be a different category altogether! Sucking things are waaaaay different! ((Shudder))
I saw these on Facebook, but it didn't have your dialogue, which even makes it nicer! It so reminds me of when I was growing up, and my grandparents had a lake cottage in Indiana. I wouldn't even care if it rained...it was just the idea of being there (plus when it rains the fishing is better!)
What a beautiful, idyllic place to get away to, Susan. I'm so glad you had a little holiday; you should do it more often.
Our fishing (rivers) season opens next weekend so this place will be buzzing, what with Father's Day as well (ours is a different date to the US, I found out through blogging).
Sandy, why is it everyone seems to have had access to a lake cottage but me?!! I was a really deprived child! Oooh, I'm sooo whiney! LOL
Did your grandparents' cottage stay in the family? That would be great if it did.
Thank you, Alaine, it was so much fun and so relaxing, I was like a big bowl of warm pudding.
Yes, our Father's Day is in June.
Susan, I have such fond memories of going to the Adirondacks. It really was special. And I recently found some old 8 mm footage of me at Santa's Village. I was so in love with Santa and I couldn't stop staring at him.
Yes, being by a lake is so beautiful. I loved the experience and envy your week in Michigan. Makes me want to go back up to Donner Lake near where my folks had their cabin.
Looks like agreat place, beautiful and comfy, gorgeous lake. Very much like New England places.
Tattered, I hope you are going to get that film transferred to DVD so you can post it on YouTube and show me on Ephemera! That would be great!
If only it had been a whole week! Alas, it was only 3 days. Maybe next time it will be a week.
Cali Girl It DID remind me of New England lakes, but a lot flatter. There aren't many hills in that part of Michigan.
Ahem.... I must have overlooked my invitation! I was probably out on one of the many adventures I seem to be on lately. Wow, how wonderful this looks! You really must have a place like this to call your own. I can't wait to come visit.
Cindy, if I ever get a cottage, I'm gonna have a big ole blogfriend convention! And you will most definitely be on the invitation list!
You have been doing a lot of gallivanting around lately! Are you going to stay put for a while now?
That owl looks familiar! What a lovely, relaxing weekend this must have been...and I yearn for a lakeside cottage too...would love one in Maine:)
Oliag, well you certainly wouldn't have far to travel if you got a cottage in Maine! I'll bet the ones there are fabulous!
Wish you could have been there, too!
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