I was introduced to cottage country when I met my husband , some 16 years ago. It was an instantaneous love , one that would grow over time. As is the sentiment was most who venture out of the cities to explore more than just bustling city scapes.
Some of my first few memories at my husbands family cottage near Dunchurch Ontario, were the friendliness of the people in this small little community. Sure we may not have known a lot of the folks names , but we didn't need to, it was about familiarity. A walk along the road side would bring a few travellers who looked out for one another. Something as simple as a nod, a slight wave of a hand. brought a community together.
My Husband and I didn't wait long to purchase our own piece of heaven near his families cottage, but it certainly, was this sense of small town living that called to me when we had our first child 12 years ago. So rather than doing what the typical young newlyweds do, we decided to move our family farther north, to a smaller town. One main street that travelled through town surrounded by farmland on one side and a lake on the other. We bought our first house in an established subdivision, not quite country living, but quiet. Our neighbours quickly welcomed us , and our fears of leaving the city where we were raised, slowly diminished. A few children later, and I could no longer silence the calling of the north.
Perhaps it was my longing but nothing in our lives seemed to make sense or give me a reason to want to stay. I loved my home and my immediate community. I had made wonderful friends. But something was missing. It took 3 years of searching and getting cold feet. Looking at everything from 3 acre farms to the typical subdivision house and everything in between before finally finding our new home, a great piece of land about an acre with an average house, with plenty of room for our 5 little monkeys to get dirty and have fun.
Its a shame though that now that we have found our little oasis , our little cottage community has dwindled. Our recent Thanksgiving feast at our cottage , reminded me what life used to be like in Cottage country. Our big families with 7 children under 12 and at least 2 adults at all times we are quite the sight taking our daily walks amongst the gorgeous crimson autumn colors.
Maybe my protection instincts kicks in a bit too much, for after about the 3rd car racing down the paved road, with not even a glance to acknowledge our presence on the road. I feel the urge to chuck a rock at one of those speeding cars. Were it not for the presence of my little ones , I might just have given in to that temptation " Oh , oops you must have kicked up a rock" These country roads can be a little dangerous.
I would like to think that my paranoia will not get the best of me and I will be able to raise our kids to say hello and get to know their neighbours. Even if only a wave or a nod of their heads.
My hope is when my children grow older, they will seek out the road less travelled.
