Summer cottages have long been the favorite respite of city and country folks alike.
It is easy to understand why one would be drawn to city life. Grocery stores, movie theaters, restaurants, and every venue one can imagine for a great night out are all conveniently within reach.
Some people are just made for city life and enjoy the fast pace, diversity of people, and tall buildings shouldering the skyline. Even so, everyone needs an occasional break and change of scenery. Cottages situated against picturesque country scenery are a perfect getaway. When honking horns are replaced by honking geese, relaxation is sure to follow.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are those of our family cabin in Door County, Wisconsin. Every summer, we made the nine-hour drive from St. Louis, Missouri. The week before we would spend packing in anticipation of another visit to our secret hideaway. Our parents packed us in the family station wagon, dog and all. Just as I seemed to run out of patience for my little brother's whining, we would at long last reach the country. We would then begin the drive down the long gravel road that gave way to our little yellow cottage by the lake. We didn't have Game Boys. There wasn't a television for miles, and much to my father's chagrin, the closest pub was miles away as well. It was just the four of us. We had bacon for breakfast every morning, swam in the lake all afternoon, and listened to the crickets' lullaby as we drifted off to sleep in our bunk beds. For an entire week, it was socially acceptable to wear a lake-stinky bathing suit to every meal and live on a diet of potato chips, pickles, and hot dogs. I can't remember a time when we were more carefree.
Summer cottages are more than just a second home in the woods. They're a recharging station for life, even when shared with a roomful of mosquitoes.