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Spring is a very busy time and so much to remember to open up the cottage for summer visits.This guide tells of what we do on the first day or 2 upon arriving at camp and what is involved to get the buildings ready for summer trips up. It may help any of you who are planing trips to cottages or feel overwhelmed at your own spring opening.
It is a 7 hour drive for us so we have to prepare everything we will need and have it with us rather then pay "tourist" cost on items.
Spring's first trip north will usually involve the truck, a trailer and if need be an extra vehicle for passengers ( I might over pack some say - but I would rather try to get all I need on that first trip)
Packing is an all winter event to prepare for and that will be a different guide.
We now arrive in the late afternoon / early evening and have time to do many of the chores before falling into a deep - sound sleep that first night.
First off, we have beavers in a pond along side the mile long drive that love to drop trees so we enter through the neighbors drive where they join together farther along and split again near the shoreline. Backing a loaded truck and trailer down a rustic drive is NOT my idea of fun and the chain saws are locked up at camp - who of us wants to walk the mile in and back with it?
This water level is about 4 foot higher then it should and almost runs over the drive in the spring.The kids jump out and run to see if anything major has changed - (not in 60 years but they haven't figured this out yet, gotta love kids!!) It is a fight to see who gets to open the door and be the first one inside. Silly but there it is.
While the kids and I open the front and back doors for some light (all windows are boarded up for protection from the winter winds) and take outside furniture onto the deck - Hubby walks down to the dog house to open up and start up the generator.
At this point it is just a matter of doing what needs to be done - who ever gets to it first - does it!
As a team we have to work together to take off the window covers - taking out bolts and carrying large 4 x 4 foot wood panels to the back of the cabin for the summer. Screens are taken outside and put on all windows and windows opened up to air out.
The power comes on and every one starts to clean! Beds need to be uncovered and bedding taken out of storage bags that were washed and sealed in the fall. Outside furniture has to be set outside on the deck and one table moved out for outdoor meals on the deck. (this is the only way to truly enjoy a meal - what a view!)
Mouse poison has to be picked up / disposed of and fresh set out in hidden areas.
The floors have to be swept and a good wipe down with cleaner.
Next we spray the whole perimeter inside and out with a quality bug spray - keep back ants and other creepy crawley critters. I Hate Bugs!!
We like to bring up clorox wipes for shelves and surfaces - Mice seem to run everywhere!
Since power is now on the pump is set out and turned on to fill the water tanks and a cap of chlorine to cleanse the water. It comes right up out of Lake Huron so we only use for wash water.
Now that areas are cleaned and disinfected it is time to bring in supplys - this is a job no one likes but if we get it done right away we dont have to worry about it for the summer.
Crates of canned goods are brought in to stock the shelves. We have sealed storage areas for dry-goods and clothing is brought in and put into it's place. Clean towels are stacked into the cuboards and other supplies are put away for later use.
Dishes are uncovered and put into place - ready for use.
We have a hot water heater for showers ( another guide in the making!) and that is hooked up, the cooking grill is set out and propane tank hooked to cabin for fridge and inside stove.
About this time I am ready for a glass of Irish Cream!!!
This view makes it worth it all!!
Dinner is a simple something easy to make / easy to clean up after and as we relax before going to bed from a long day the Humming birds come round to remind us that we need to fill their feeders. I am not sure how the know this but they fly right up to our heads and make sure we know they are waiting.
Coffee is waiting to be made in the morning and Summer has Just Began!!
This may only be helpful to my kids in remembering what to do in the spring - but if you read this far I hope you found something enjoyable about this article.
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Guide created: 09/08/08 (updated 09/08/08)
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