From Toronto, we drove north and a bit east for almost three hours, the last stretch on winding dirt roads. We were headed to a rented cottage on Salmon Lake, in a quiet, rural, forested pocket of Ontario.
Where I live, in Colorado, there are small mountain houses we call cabins. So I pictured a rustic structure, improved a bit for modern conveniences, but small and a place for rugged living. In Canada, a cottage can be a normal sized house in a rural setting. This one had four bedrooms which we filled up: my niece and her boyfriend, his mother, my brother, and me. The deck looked out over the lake, with a dock and pier reaching out over the water. The huge grill kept my niece’s partner busy cooking outdoors; I skipped the meat dishes but the grilled vegetables were wonderful.
Most of our days were spent sitting on the dock jutting into the lake, taking a swim now and then in cold water that felt comfortable after a few minutes. My next post will talk about those quiet days by the lake.
A few trips to neighboring towns. Not particularly charming or picturesque, the downtown collection of shops in these little towns were mostly non-descript, functional. The Canadian Maple Leaf flag could be seen everywhere in celebration for Canada Day, later that week.
Kinmount
A stop for ice cream in Minden
Fenelon Falls
My last evening, a small group gathered at a friend’s house near the Falls. More than a cottage, it was a hotel turned family home. We played music, guitar and harmonica, and sang.
Please do not download or reproduce images from this site. ©
Your comments are welcome!
Popular posts/stats/categories
Email me at: Ruth@RuthRosenfeld.com
Ruth Rosenfeld 
How nice! The cottage looks amazing, and the towns do have their own small-town Ontario charm. Not great shopping destinations, but maybe that is part of the charm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a lovely time. I enjoyed exploring some of those little towns!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much greenery, it’s incredible! It’s great that it’s not so far from the big city, but far enough for an extended retreat. Hope you have lots of fun there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was relaxing and a pretty place to spend some time with family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your cottage was a perfect summertime getaway spot! I enjoyed the photos of the cool, clear lake and small-town charm. It reminds me of summers as a youth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to know you had some pleasant, rural places to visit in summers. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a story behind it which I will share in future posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely place!… and your photos are gorgeous ❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for coming along, Luisa, and your kind comment! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was such a pleasure…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know this part of cottage country at all. It looks very serene and quiet. The towns may not have been that charming, but you seem to have found a few cute spots. I grew up in Manitoba where a cabin is as you describe, rustic, small, but a good get away to nature. Maggie
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t been up north to this area before. It was relaxing and a lovely place to spend some time. I’m guessing there are a lot of similarities with the western landscape. Thanks, Maggie.
LikeLike
The red chairs caught my attention. We have an exact clone (minus the maple leaf) on our front patio.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cozy! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
We used to have a cottage in the Kawarthas.I have fond memories of it and of those quiet days spent on the dock. We sold it when we moved out of Toronto to live in the country.. Your photos brought many memories back and all good ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to spark some good memories, Anne. It’s a lovely area, so green and serene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your vacation trip looks idyllic. I love rural Canada.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a lovely getaway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks like a beautiful spot to get some rest and relaxation and just enjoy nature. The cottage looks very Canadian with all those maple leaves. I’ve sampled a lot of ice cream and Kawartha Dairy is easily still my favourite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ice cream place was a favorite of my family as well. We had cones and then brought some back for the house. I’m glad you know it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks like a relaxing place to stay with family 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That it was, very different from my usual travel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a great time Ruth. Cottage country in Ontario in particular is a way of summer life. Love the small towns. They all have something to offer, especially on market day. Cheers. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Allan. My brother has talked about going to cottages for years, so it was a treat to join him and see what it was all about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The very idea of cottage country appeals to my soul I think. The dock looks like the perfect spot for intimate chats and just resting. You caught some wonderful moments around the various towns, I’ll have a jar of the mango salsa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Leighton! I was tempted to take the mango salsa as well, but it’s a little daunting to take on a flight. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks rather idyllic. I hope it was fun and relaxing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very different destination from my usual travels, but I was able to unwind, relax and enjoy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing like the Great White North in the summer eh?! So lovely, and so Canadian. Looks like you had a great time.
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t been to the cottage country up there before. It was a lovely week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ruth,
Beautiful photos! I can imagine sitting in those red chairs on that porch drinking tea. Glad you had a lovely trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michelle! It was a relaxing time in a natural rural world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely cabin … and amazing views over the lake. Oh, and the farmer’s market … I like all the fresh produce! Great photo’s as always Ruth – thanks for the share 😊.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, once again, for coming along! It was a lovely, relaxing place to spend a quiet week. I so appreciate your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person