The End of an Era

Over the past two weeks, I've closed up the cottage.

First, Mark (Terry's son) and I took an overnight trip up to take the new dock in. The manufacturer of the "Dock in a Box" dock, that I put in this year, recommends that you remove the freestanding dock from the water before the winter ice sets in. This prevents the ice from crushing the aluminium pipe legs and ensures that the ice won't carry the dock out into the lake (where it would sink in the spring). Mark graciously agreed to help me get the dock out of the water. Now, all I have to worry about is getting it back into the (ice cold) water in the spring.

Next, I spent three days (one half day, a full day, and a second half day) taking care of all the other closing-up tasks. From servicing the generators to setting mouse traps to collecting the laundry and sweeping up, I spent my time up there getting ready for the winter. The boat is chained under a new shelter at the landing, the motor is safely tucked away in my garage at home, and all the chores for 2016 are done.

So, what did I accomplish this year, you ask? I

• installed a new dock and dock ramp,
• disassembled one dock pier (crushed by the spring ice),
• repaired a rotting rafter in the cabin,
• disposed of a derelict skidoo and a derelict cookstove,
• replaced the refrigerator,
• supplied a new barbecue, a shopvac, a workhorse, 4 folding chairs, a socket wrench set, and 2 additional oil lamps,
• moved all the tools from the cabin into the boathouse,
• built 2 trestles for canoe storage,
• demolished and rebuilt the deck at the shore,
• cast a concrete anchor and used it to replace the killick on the haul-out,
• Terry painted the master bedroom,
• replaced the boat winch and line at the landing,
• rebuilt the boat ramp and shelter at the landing,
• replaced the spark plugs on both generators, and
• cleared all the old floating dock lumber from shore, cut it and stacked it behind the cabin

Not as much as previous years, but still a reasonable accomplishment, don't you think?