By N. GLENN PERRETT
“I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.”
- E. B. White
My wife Lynn and I recently purchased a property on Lake Wahwashkesh northeast of Parry Sound. We have wanted a cottage for many years, not just for ourselves but for our children as well.
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My love of, and respect for, the natural world was developed and nurtured at my parents’ cottage on Georgian Bay near Killbear Provincial Park. For more than 35 years I’ve enjoyed spending time at this wondrous place. Lynn has also enjoyed her parents’ cottage in eastern Ontario. Our children, Gleannan and Liam, have had the opportunity of spending time at both of their grandparents’ cottages.
Lynn and I want our children to have an opportunity similar to what we’ve had getting to know the natural world in a scenic lake environment. We needed a wild refuge where we could relax and enjoy living with nature.
While searching the Internet for our future cottage, I came across a new subdivision of 22 lots on Lake Wahwashkesh. While we were sad that the pristine land surrounding three bays on this lake was going to be developed, we felt fortunate to have the opportunity to be stewards of part of this wilderness area. If we didn’t purchase this land someone else would have. And chances are they would not have the respect for the natural world that we have.
When we looked at the various properties for sale, all but a few were still available. After exploring almost every lot, we came to lot #18 next to one of the points. That was it. A rugged 1.5 acre piece of land with more than 400 feet of rocky shoreline was to be “our” nature retreat.
I’m never comfortable using the words “our” or “own” when it pertains to land. I don’t believe that the land is ours to own. I also don’t believe that we’re borrowing the land from future generations as it isn’t theirs either.
Lynn, our children and I are looking forward to co-existing with nature, creating as limited an impact as possible. Since we eventually plan to spend much of the year at the cottage, we will have electricity and indoor plumbing. But these will be our only “luxuries.”
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In order to minimize our impact on the environment, and to have as much time to “do nothing” as possible, we will build a small cottage that requires little upkeep. Wood floors, area rugs and a mudroom will help to create a warm, comfortable place that is easy to keep clean and heat. By using quality materials and constructing the cottage with animals in mind, we hope to eliminate any problems with wildlife making our home theirs. A metal roof and low-maintenance siding will be good for both us and the environment.
The cottage that Lynn has designed is 800 square feet. The main floor consists of one large room and a bathroom. A mudroom will provide a place to hang our coats, hats and boots. The upstairs consists of three small bedrooms.
While we haven’t started constructing our cottage, we have done some work on our driveway. Our driveway will be short, stopping well short of the cottage. A short driveway means that fewer trees will have to be killed. We have already transplanted many of the smaller trees that were growing where the driveway will be installed. We will transplant the rest of the trees this fall. Having a forest separate the cottage from the driveway will also mean that we won’t see any vehicles from the cottage, making for a secluded, relaxing environment.
Our environmentally friendly, and low maintenance, approach to cottage life extends to the waterfront. We will not be installing a dock and we won’t have any boats with motors. We already have a couple of canoes and we’ll likely buy a kayak or two. We’ll leave the shore the way it is. We’d feel uncomfortable changing it to suit any of our “needs” and, besides, you can’t improve on nature!
While our cottage is still in the planning stages we have already started to develop a special relationship with the natural world in and around Lake Wahwashkesh. Our family has gone on several day trips to explore the wilderness retreat where our cottage will be built. Gleannan and Liam look forward to our short outings at the “cottage” where they play in the water and explore the natural surroundings.
We’re looking forward to spending a lot of time at Lake Wahwashkesh. There are few things more satisfying and relaxing, than spending time in a natural setting and peacefully living with the plants and animals who live there. It is our hope that Gleannan and Liam have as much fun growing up at their cottage as we did at our parents’ cottages.
© N. Glenn Perrett
