I will admit, I can't speak for everyone on earth, but I bet 99% of everyone reading this would be hooked after their first time up north.

Imagine waking up bright and early on a Saturday morning. You don’t wake up because you have to, you want to. Sleeping in is a waste of precious time up in the Muskokas or Kawarthas, or whatever other region of lakes you’re located. However, you’re not getting up to start a busy day of chores, you’re getting up early to make a nice pot of coffee and enjoy it on the dock. You get to just soak in the morning sun and prepare yourself for a rigorous day of… relaxing.

And that’s exactly what cottaging is all about. Relaxing. It’s the most laid back you’ll ever be in your life. As soon as soon as you pull the car into the driveway of the cottage, you instantly forget all of the things stressing you out during the week. Drinking starts at any time you’d like. And no one has a problem with that. The signature Canadian drink of my cottage is the Ceaser (or bloody mary to most americans). Its a mixture of Clamato juice, vodka, tobasco, and worcestershire sauce; Rimmed with celery salt.

I’m salivating as I list off the ingredients…

About the lake

Lakes in Ontario aren’t like the lakes in the U.S. of A; they’re fresh water. Clean and clear (I’ve seen your lakes. They don’t compare). I have a cottage on Crystal Lake. It’s a relatively small lake compared to some nearby, but it’s becoming one of the more popular lakes. No seaweed. No zebra mussels. Just fresh, clear water.

Each day up there is filled with lots of fun and family. We go wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing; the list goes on and on. One of the best things is that all of your neighbours are in the same euphoric state of mind. Whenever you pass by someone, the thing to do is wave. Guests will often ask if I know the people we wave to. Most of the time my reply is “No”. It’s just the polite thing to do, and they (the guests) will be hooked. They love being able to wave to and be waved at by complete strangers. It’s very humbling.

Let me be very clear. Purchasing a cottage in Canada is very expensive. You could get a condo in downtown Toronto for about the same price (depending on the lake you wish to purchase on). So if you have the means, I suggest you look into it (you can also rent cottages on a weekly basis too). If you’re an American and have Canadian friends who own a cottage, keep them close.

A quick message:

To Geoff Teehan and Jon Lax: If either of you own a cottage, you know exactly what I’ve been rambling on about and I’d like to take this opportunity to express my love for your company. You do great work and just know that it is appreciated.